Paris 2025 Exhibition

René Goes to Paris

Bonjour my friend,

Did you notice how I wrote "Paris 2025 exhibition" in the heading above?

I have a new exhibit on view in Paris, and I now intend to exhibit in Paris—or another major city—every year from now on.

This has been a grand dream of mine, something I've been steadily working towards. After the success of my 2024 San Francisco exhibition (which you can read about here), now feels like the perfect time to move forward without hesitation and make this dream a reality.

See the Caféologie book on the counter? That was written by Gloria Montenegro of La Caféothèque de Paris, and her daughter, Christina.

If you know me, you know that I've been working hard at learning all of the things: not only the art making, but the art of business, too. How do I serve my community and keep up with exactly what you need?

Christina and Franco about to drift away in the breeze...

Toutes voiles dedans is our title; it is poetic and brings images of sailing ships, fluttering sails, and a story of exploration and journey.

This dreamy art fits this space so beautifully.

I am happy to report that these business practices are taking hold, not only for exhibitions—but for sales, especially for a collection of works sold to a dear collector from the U.K. who lives part of the year in Aubusson.

Thank you, I. and T. P.; you have made my work fruitful and rewarding.

****

Now—on to discussions of PARIS!

Here, perfectly sited, is my painting of the Tropical Room at La Caféothèque de Paris in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, bringing the two cafés beatuifully together.

My dear friend Christina Chirouze Montenegro contacted me about a month ago to mount an exhibition at the Columbia University Global Studies Center. In the charming 6th arrondissement, tucked between Boulevard de Montparnasse and rue Notre-Dame des Champs, is nestled La Caféothèque Reid Hall. La Caféothèque was chosen to bring their expertise to the Global Studies Center as a result of their long-time relationship in building connections between cultures, "a high-quality café promoting humanitarian principles." There, in this prestigious center of learning, my large-scale art hangs fluttering in the breeze; inviting the students and faculty to study and discourse under the protection of my paintings.

Thank you, Christina, Reid Hall and La Caféothèque!

September 3 - November 6, 2025​
​​Toutes voiles dedans​
​La Caféothèque Reid Hall
4, rue de Chevreuse
Paris 6e​
75006 Paris, France

*Contact me for viewing appointment; reservation required*

A Street Named Desire

Returning to France now is like returning home.

There was snow, and there was cold.

There was space and light.

Long walks watching the changing colors of the fields under the mid-winter sky.

Thibault, in the snow

And now we have a dog!

Thibault has come to live with us; he is a 10-month-old English setter.

Thibault has added another dimension to our lives in France - and that has to do with a dimension of never-ending love. And lots of walks. It is nice to have another being around so that I'm not so much in my head; thinking about art, and work, all the time.

(The pronunciation of his name is "tee-bo".)

Place + Names on exhibit at Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

photo:J-M Gargantiel

I also returned to find my artwork installation still hanging at the Galerie des Marches, which made me very happy.  

In mid-January, I also discovered that its companion artwork is hanging once again in Columbus, GA!

A Ribbon Runs Through It, Illges Gallery, Columbus State University

The Columbus Museum, which holds two of my works in its permanent collection, has included them both in an exhibit titled, “A Ribbon Runs Through It: Textiles from the Columbus Museum.” How appropriate, for that is exactly what I wrote about when describing the artwork in Aubusson, intrigued by the way the works from two countries are connected by the image of the river: "The work conveys a sense of continuity through the symbolism of architecture and rivers. Our lives flow, the currents merge, then break off again for new investigation and discoveries."

A Ribbon Runs Through It is on exhibit at the Illges Gallery, CSU Corn Center for the Visual Arts at Columbus State University while the Columbus Museum is undergoing renovation. I’m including here a few photos the curator, Jonathan Walz, and other friends, sent to me. My silk paintings are hanging from the ceiling, in good company!

Kristen Miller Zohn, seen smiling here, is the person responsible for the entire Columbus, GA collection being created. Thank you, Kristen, from the bottom of my heart!

These original paintings are available for purchase, and if you or someone you know would like to own one, please contact me for details. 

I realize it is not possible for everyone to own a 6 ft to 10 ft original painting, so I wanted to make this work easily accessible and shareable with you. So I am also now offering prints of the entire collection of large paintings, in at least two sizes, in my online shop. You can see the collection here.

12th & Broadway, Columbus, GA (detail)

During the pandemic, the Columbus Museum created the “60 Seconds with the Artist” series. There you can see my artwork in the Museum and hear me discussing it, all in 60 seconds! Click here for the video.

To see a video walk-through while I discuss the exhibit at the Galerie des Marches, click here.

And a nice presentation of "The Doors of Athens" collection of prints can be seen at The KA Artist Shop here.

And why did I title this - ‘A Street Named Desire’? Because I love that street scene of 12th and Broadway and I am so very, very happy that it is in the permanent collection of the Columbus Museum!

Leave a comment below and let us know how you like the exhibit(s)!

Many thanks,

-René

Having Fun Making Friends

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

René with her art at Crocq

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?

Crocq, La Creuse

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.

1001 réflets exhibition poster

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)

Les Fayes / La Faye

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

Brugmansia Sunset Trumpet Flower 1 + 2

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

Aubusson Train Station

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

Lee's Coffee Shop

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

View From the Library, Felletin

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

Between Grande Rue et rue Chateaufavier, Aubusson

8)  Château d'Arfeuille (Reflections on Time)

Château d'Arfeuille

9)  Reflections on a Magical World

Reflections on a Magical World

Which is your favorite?