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Keep up with the latest art and adventures from Rene Shoemaker Art!

Tell Me More . . .

René discusses color choices with a visitor at the Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery reception

We all like to talk. And express our opinions, don’t we? As I share my art with others, I need to be mindful to always ask the person I am talking to:

“Tell me more . . .”

When we’re discussing my artwork, something that I have created, if someone says “I like this purple painting” (for example), I have the habit of diving right into what I see, and telling about the technique, or the visit, or the architecture, or my vision of what it could be…

But I do think it would be more meaningful to both parties for me to say: “Tell me more . . .", so that I can learn more - more about what that person likes, what they see in my artwork, what it means to them, which colors they prefer, what memories it brings up for them, etc., etc.

Many thanks to @yollghu for providing smooth music for our event

One of the reasons to have an exhibition and reception is to share my process, my vision and my world view. But of course the artwork is static if I only share it and don’t ask for a response from the public.

Golden. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA (10.5" x 10.5")

Artwork #3 : Golden. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

The third painting in my San Francisco / Paris / New York exhibition is a version of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. When starting this series, this particular painting emerged in my mind's eye, as I wanted a very good memory of what San Francisco meant to the rest of the world.

The Bridge is about possibilities and welcoming travelers to its shores. I began this series with the Golden Gate Bridge and the sheer silk contrasted with the steel architecture of the bridge, creating a tension between this viewer and her new experience of space.

“What can I do with this iconic image to make it more ‘mine’?” I wondered. I repeated my design mantra while creating this drawing.

“Simplify, simplify, simplify”

is my motto when creating art. I may sketch details, but I try my hardest to leave them out of the painting and highlight color and the presence of shapes instead. The openness of the design enriches the sense of space and wonder that one feels when looking at this scene.

Painting the Golden Gate Bridge landscape. This silk was very hard to paint as it did not readily soak up the dye.

**What do you think?**

Tell me more . . .

-Rene

*****

Dates for Your Calendar

2024

July 21 - Oct 25, 2024
San Francisco / Paris / New York City : new work by René Shoemaker
Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery + Studio
San Francisco, CA
https://michellethomasfineart.com/reneshoemaker

September 12-17, 2024
Silk Painting Art Retreat
Manor and Maker, the Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Dordogne, France
https://www.manorandmaker.com/maker/2024-silkpainting

June 29 - Sept 31, 2024
Together We Dazzle
Hendershot's
Athens, GA
https://www.christinajoystudio.com/together-we-dazzle/2024

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How Do You Express Your Creativity?

What are your favorite ways to express creativity? We are all creative creatures! Is your creative outlet drawing? photography? writing? poetry?

Is it listening to the birds sing, or drawing and painting? Maybe home decor or gardening is your thing.

Creativity is a place of flow and of calmness. It is a beautiful state that we all can grow into. I am delighted to be a creative person, and I understand that creativity comes in many, many forms.

My life is full of love and creativity.

Installation in progress. Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

This week I am hanging an art exhibit at Galerie des Marches in Aubusson.

My art is large and colorful. As I prepared the silk paintings for the exhibition, I fell in love with them once again, as if visiting an old friend.

I am very happy with my art, and I cannot wait to share more images and stories from this exhibit with you!

The opening reception will be held October 1 at 7 pm at Galerie des Marches, 31 rue Vieille, Aubusson, 23200. The exhibit will be open to the public September 29th, but feel free to walk by before then and look in the window—it's going to be quite the display! I'll send the invitation as soon as it is created. For more information, contact the gallery at galeriedesmarches@gmail.com

Treignac, in the Corrèze department, Nouvelle Aquitaine

poetry@treignac

Earlier this month I spent three wild and wonderful days at a writer’s workshop, surrounded by poets, poetry and prose in the village of Treignac. Designated a Petite Cité de Caractère, this medieval town is situated on the Vézère River.

It is a beautiful location that inspires creativity and connection with my new community of creatives. This was my first time attending a writer’s workshop and I loved every minute of it.

Kate Rose and Sheila Schofield Large, both accomplished poets and poetry event organizers, hosted the workshop. Titled poetry@treignac, it was held at a former thread factory, now a contemporary art exhibition space, the Treignac Projet. It was an inspiring, open space in which to let our creativity soar.

The “Writing Creative Non-Fiction” workshop, led by editor, writer, and publisher Chuck Grieve, was invigorating. I left with a nice chunk of prose, and Sheila Large led a workshop “using the skills of metaphysics to turn details into poetry that has both message and magic.” I loved having that new part of my brain tickled and massaged.

I read both my texts to the group that night and was thrilled to be a writer amongst writers.

My son, Sam Sutlive, is a poet involved in the spoken word community in our hometown, and all weekend I felt like I was channeling his creative skills.

We had workshops, we had gatherings, we had community time, we had readings. We had champagne to launch the Artemesia Arts organization!

I came away a different person.

It was delightful to be surrounded by like-minded people while learning more about myself and my capabilities. I find that I really do enjoy building a community of friends in my adopted country of France.

Tell me, what skills are you learning now?

This just in! Athens Art & Frame just hung my Doors of Athens exhibit plus other work of mine—I think I see a theme here! Click here to see a video of the display, and stop by their shop if you are in Athens!

René Shoemaker painting on exhibit at Athens Art & Frame

Having Fun Making Friends

Crocq. How to pronounce the name of this town in La Creuse?

I say “crow” as in the bird.

I asked a Frenchman tonight, he said “cro” while swallowing the “uh” sound.

He said “it’s not ‘w’”.

See how hard it is to learn a second language?

Thursday’s event. 1001 réflets, was the annual international art exhibition held in the historic town of Crocq. Above, you can see the two medieval towers and the church on the crest of the hill.

The exhibit is housed on the second floor of the elementary school, in a large, open, and airy space that is light-filled and inviting.

The exhibition hall before installing the art

The theme of this year’s exhibit is 1001 Réflets which translates to “1001 Reflections” in English.

In support of the theme, I exhibited a large silk painting portraying the wall in my house in Georgia that includes framed art and a mirror that reflects the bathroom. The scene is from the time when my children were small (can you spot the rubber duckie?).

*Positive/Negative [The Mirror]: (Reflections on everyday life)*

What’s so very interesting to me, is this particular artwork is garnering a lot of interest, both in France and back home in the States. I secretly smile to myself when someone remarks on it, as it was created for, and exhibited in, my first solo exhibition back in 2001 at the Clayton Street Gallery in Athens, GA. This “new” interest in my painting tells me that my art is standing up to the test of time.

I’ve included nine works of art in this exhibit, each with a title that reflects back to the theme of the exhibit: 1001 réflets. The prices on my paintings range from 350 to 650 euros. All but #1 includes a custom blonde wooden frame, and the euro, right now, is about equal to the U.S. Dollar, making it a great time to invest in art!

The nine paintings are listed here:

1) Positive/Negative [the mirror]: The Rubber Duckie (Reflection on Everyday Life)

2) Les Fayes / La Faye (Reflection on the Creation of Two Villages)

3) Brugmansia Sunset Trumpet Flower 1 + 2 (Reflection on the Beauty of Nature)

4) At the Aubusson Train Station(Reflection on Travel)

5) Lee's Coffee Shop (Reflections on Japan)

6) View From the Library, Felletin (Reflections on Learning)

7) Between Grande Rue et rue Chateaufavier, Aubusson (Reflections on Space)

8) Château d'Arfeuille (Reflections on Time)

9) Reflections on a Magical World

Which is your favorite?

How did February get to be so busy?

Do you feel as busy as I do? Not only is it the month of love, but apparently it is the month of art, too! Here is a list of the upcoming events I am participating (or teaching!) and I wanted to be sure you had the chance to add them to your calendar: