Just left France.
It’s been a little crazy to think about the contrasts between the two places; I try to be aware of the differences without making value judgements.
Suffice it to say, we like it there.
Now I am back to the States with my family and Dexter, our dog. And it’s been a while since I shared. Hello!
My exhibit at Galerie AM’Carta in late August was a resounding success. I met a lot of good people, and interacted with a lot of other artists. Because of that exhibit, I was also invited to participate in an 4-artist exhibition the following month in Uzerche, France! This was an added bonus, and brought new connections and opportunities.
A view of my beloved studio in France
Wilfried Celerian, Deputy Mayor of Cultural Affairs, Felletin
L-R: Thierry Roger, master framer and an expert yarn dyer for the tapestry trade + Nelly, owner of café L’antidote in Aubusson
I’m happy to share the images of the newly-created Aubusson art and the events that surrounded the Aubusson exhibit. I so look forward to seeing what the next year in La Creuse brings!
(Scroll down for more)
J'adore la ville, la fleuve et les bâtiments historiques d’Aubusson. En fait, le teinture que j’utilise pour crée mes peintures me relie, je sens, à l’histoire des artisans d’Aubusson.
Avec mes sentiments les meilleurs, j’offre mon oeuvre aux citoyens d’Aubusson.
I love the city, the river and the historic buildings of Aubusson. In fact, the dye that I use to create my paintings connects me, I feel, to the history of Aubusson craftsmen.
With my best feelings, I offer my work to the citizens of Aubusson.
My process begins with a small sketch, which leads to a larger sketch, before I even begin on the silk…
I sketch it out carefully on the silk before I even dream of painting on it. This is after many hours of research, planning, and work.
It’s such a satisfying experience to go from a tiny sketch to this! Prior to this step I set the colors and steam away any wrinkles. I also stitch a loop for the dowel at the top.
In it’s final form. La Rivière Creuse + Galerie AM’Carta. Aubusson. 2018
NEW EXHIBITION in athens, GA OPENS THURSDAY, Nov. 8
AND, I am excited to announce a new exhibit (closer to my Georgia, USA friends) at the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, GA. The Lyndon House is a beautiful space and I am honored to be exhibiting there with the very talented Judy Bales in a collaborative exhibit titled, aptly, “Call & Response: Works by René Shoemaker and Judy Bales”. See Judy’s work here: www.judybales.com
Our exhibit opens on November 8th with a reception that encompasses three fascinating exhibits opening that day. The talented team of Sara Parker and Simon Hunt have mounted “Perennial Pattern: Works by Sara Parker and Simon Hunt,” and the delightful seer St .EOM of Pasaquan, a 20th Century visionary whose spirits encouraged him to build a new community in South Georgia.
I was lucky to have visited St. EOM’s home mere months before finding out I would be exhibiting with his work. Talk about synchronicity!
René Shoemaker
Judy Bales
I hope you enjoy these new French artworks, and I look forward to sharing the Lyndon House installation soon. Hope to see you at the reception on November 8th!
Much love,
-René
more from Atelier-Musée des Cartons de Tapisserie d'Aubusson
