May We Move Forward with Grace and Ease

Which mottos do you live by? I’d be interested in knowing! My latest is a note on the blackboard in my studio that reads, “May I move forward with grace and ease,” which brings me a sense of peace and direction every time I read it.

"Station", on Rue Vieille, Aubusson

My exhibit, Places + Names, at Galerie des Marches in Aubusson opens Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 6 p.m. I wish you could be there! As I prepare for the reception, I know my community far and wide will be with me in spirit at the gallery, and I will savor their support. The night will be a memorable event, one of joy and expectation, and contentment.

René Shoemaker discusses her painting, “Floating”

I recall at my very first gallery opening, Ethereal Spaces at Clayton Street Gallery, Athens, GA in 2001, the joy I felt from simply standing there, basking in the ambiance, answering questions and talking to people about their personal responses to my artwork. My art was hanging freely, unhindered by attachment to the wall, swaying in the air currents as visitors walked by.

Ethereal Spaces, Clayton Street Gallery, Athens GA 2001

Now, 21 years later, my current gallerist and I are returning to that original vision of how my art should be displayed: freely, light, and with the energy of life.

My adopted country of France (for six years now!) inspires me, and living here has given me the sensibilities to delve deeper into my consciousness to see what can be mined. Those early years, which at the time felt so lonely, were really a catalyst to set my creativity free. Today my desire to exhibit is constant, wherever I am in the world.

Jérôme Bel at his gallery, Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

Silk is my métier, color my language, line my inspiration. I love working with Jérôme, who said early on in our meetings, more than a year ago, “René, No more ‘silk artist!’ YOU are a contemporary artist!” I bask in his words when he says my lines are “Matissian,” as Henri Matisse has been my most constant mentor throughout the years.

I love my life.

In the stillness of the early morning light, when the roosters are just beginning to crow and the donkeys bray for their morning meal, I sit with my coffee in the garden, asking the sun to warm my body and soul.

If you wish to invite my artwork into your environment, all works in the exhibit are for sale. Feel free to contact me at rene@reneshoemaker.com, or my gallerist Jérôme Bel (he speaks English fluently) at galeriedesmarches@gmail.com or phone him at +33 (0) 679 481 384. I would be forever delighted to know my art is sharing your space, and I am always grateful for your comments and purchases.

Athens News:

If you are in Athens, you can see my paintings at Athens Art & Frame. They have arranged my Doors of Athens paintings along with a number of my other paintings on the Local Artist's wall. I am in good company there and I encourage you to go see the collection.

The Doors of Athens collection of original paintings beautifully displayed at Athens Art & Frame

In a bit of hometown news, our beloved vegetarian restaurant, The Grit, closed its doors after 36 years. The Grit storefront was included in my Doors of Athens series, and although the original painting sold early on, a beautiful high-quality print is available at my online store. I feel like a bit of an historian sometimes, as I often capture a building or scene in a town that subsequently disappears. In my Columbus Museum exhibition, Discovering the Chattahoochee Valley in 2015-2016, one of the artworks the Museum kept for its permanent collection was a corner building that was demolished by the time the exhibition opened to the public. I’m proud to say I have received two Historic Preservation awards from Georgia cities for this architectural appreciative eye.

I think I have this thing for storefronts: The Grit, Athens, GA

The Grit’s entranceway is also included onThe Doors of Athens poster and t-shirt. The poster is available at Community, the K.A. Artist Shop, or in my online shop; the t-shirt can be purchased at Community.

Your Doors of Athens t-shirt would look really good on you.

The Grit print and Doors of Athens poster both celebrate the vitality of Athens, GA.

Thanks for following along! I hope to see you soon, here, there, or elsewhere.

Love,

René

SEEING INTO THE FUTURE

I’d like to share with you a pivotal moment in my career as an artist.

In 1998 I was in Cortona, Italy for the summer with my family, working as the librarian for the University of Georgia School of Art’’s study abroad program. I was an artist myself, but didn’t believe I could realize my artistic potential while raising a family and pursuing my career as a librarian. 

Working with the art students, many of whom were work-study students for the library, gave me the opportunity to get to know and bond with many of them. Although I was admittedly a little envious that I wasn’t able to study abroad myself when I was in art school, I admired their hunger to learn and to grow. I also came to know the art professors and attended their lectures describing their careers, artistic endeavors, styles, and works-in-progress. 

That summer was the source of one of my most important personal insights. For it was then I first realized that the artists who surrounded me were really no different from me, no better than I was. We were equals, artists in community. In other words, I saw for the first time,

I WAS A REAL ARTIST, TOO.

That recognition changed my life. At the end of the summer I returned home and took action. I worked hard and started being not shy about pursuing my art, acknowledging my determination, and honing my ability to share and talk about my artwork. Now, I had a vision.

You may have heard this part of the story before:
In 1998 I embarked on a 10-year plan (which ultimately took 12) to launch my career as a full-time artist once I retired from my job at UGA. I would no longer sit quietly and wait for life to happen to me. In those dozen years, I had 24 solo shows, participated in 83 group shows, won 6 awards, and created 5 large-scale installations.

This past year I realized that year 10 as a full-time artist was quickly approaching, and I knew that was a magical number. I didn’t know what it meant, but I knew it was going to be exciting!

Fast forward to 2019. Last week I attended a program at the Pompidou Center in Paris for the exhibition opening of “Cosmopolis #2” because one of my creations is on exhibit there! I was immensely excited, pleased, and proud. The dress I designed, painted, dyed, sewed, and styled is just a small part of one installation; although the exhibit was not mine and my name was not on the program, I was able to take part knowing that my art was in a MAJOR world museum. As I listened to the artists present their Cosmopolis #2 work in front of windows that looked out on the bustling Parisian life, with the citizens and architecture of Paris as a backdrop, I knew in my very bones that 
 

I COULD DO THAT.

I COULD BE SITTING IN THAT CHAIR

BEHIND THAT MICROPHONE

IN FRONT OF THAT ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE

AT THE POMPIDOU CENTER

IN PARIS.


YES, I COULD.

Seeing my dream take shape before my very eyes, I know success is on the way, speeding towards me like a French locomotive, driven by determination and belief in myself.

Many thanks to Christina Chirouze Montenegro, who made it happen. Here she is, above, modeling the dress when I first presented it to her.

We all have fears to face and obstacles to overcome. It’s hard when you have a vision and don’t know where to start. But I am happy to report that a motto I have believed in for many years has served me well:

Perseverance furthers.

Thank you, as always, for your time and your gracious support, and for following me on this adventure called life.

Simón Vega. Archipiélago de Intercambio (sketch), 2019

Save the Dates

Until December 23, 2019
Cosmopolis #2: Rethinking the Human
Centre Pompidou
Paris, France

June, 2020
Floral Heritage of Guatemala
La Caféotheque de Paris
Paris, France

August, 2020
Silk Works by René Shoemaker
Galerie des Marches
Aubusson, France

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