BLOG

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

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?

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?

Why Do I Make Art?

L’Êtang de la Valette, St, Maixant

Why do I make art?

To feed my soul.

Why do I live in France?

Because the aesthetics of France match my soul aesthetics.

Beauty, harmony, balance, & light. This is what I take away from my everyday experiences in La Creuse.
The fields, the mountains, the cows, the medieval towns.

I am fortunate to be in such an inspiring landscape and stimulating environment, and lucky to be able to share it with you.

What makes your soul sing?

Open the Doors and Let the Sunshine In

dark indigo blue 100 percent cotton t-shirt with 16 drawings of door athens ga white ink

Geoff modeling his Doors of Athens t-shirt for you (photo credit: mo'b)

Today I am excited to share the newest creation from René Shoemaker Art! The Doors are now featured on a soft cotton t-shirt that captures your support for small businesses, your love of architecture, and your good taste, all in a unique Athens t-shirt design that will envelop you in comfort and well-being. 

dark indigo blue 100 % cotton t-shirt with line drawings of downtown athens georgia doors

The t-shirt is already capturing a social media following!

Hand-printed in Athens, GA, this stunning t-shirt features white ink on a deep indigo blue shirt. The 100% cotton is soft, comfortable, and sustainable. 

I would be so proud to have you wear my shirt! What better way to get art on the streets than to wear it on a tee?

You can buy your shirt online here or pick yours up at Community at 260 N. Jackson St. in downtown Athens. 

René art now at Community, Athens, GA (photo credit: Community)

In another news flash, The Doors of Athens EXHIBIT has relocated to Community, where the interior design and calming colors provide the perfect backdrop for my artwork. This Athens-loving small business makes and sells sustainable clothing and artisan products, all created by local makers based in Georgia. With its impeccable good taste, Community is a fabulous place to visit. My paintings are in excellent company there. I find inspiration in this statement from the Community website: "Community encourages a renewed, balanced, and personal relationship between the consumer and their wardrobe." They are caring for our world.

Rene Shoemaker art paintings on sale at Community Athens Storefront view of art and clothing

René art at Community in the wee early hours (photo credit: dhm)

Don't you just love the cloud reflection in the window?

If you haven't seen the exhibit yet, now is your opportunity (spread the word!). If you would like to visit (or revisit) the artwork, you can see it at Community. To purchase the art, phone them or contact me. To preview the art before you visit the shop, click here.

Either way, I hope that you go to see the new arrangement of The Doors of Athens exhibit. Feel free to share photos of you at the exhibit or while wearing your new t-shirt - or both!

With appreciation,






The Doors of Athens - Poster and Art Release

What makes you fond of your hometown or your alma mater? I think about this question often and I'm curious to know your opinions is on this subject. (Hit "reply" - let me know!)

I've made it my life mission to uncover this mystery, and as a result, I am so excited to share with you a project I've been working on for months: The Doors of Athens!

The Doors of Athens is a multi-product program I have been diligently creating since midsummer, and it is finally here, ready to share with you and the world, just in time for the holidays!

Short on time? Scroll down to the end to see the big reveal!

...or read on, if you want to hear the whole story.

For December and January, I'll only be in Athens for a short 6 weeks, but you know how much I love Athens. In the heart of Northeast Georgia, Athens was a location of safety and stability for my wandering 20-something self. Its history runs deep, and every one of us whom the city has touched has a unique and personal experience with it. Established concurrently with the University of Georgia in the early 1800s, Athens is a historic yet progressive city with a small-town feel. The 20 square blocks of downtown Athens host a collection of unique eateries, gift shops, art stores, boutiques, vintage shops, bars, music venues, and much more, attracting students, townspeople, and visitors alike. The motto “Shop local!” becomes more relevant and stronger every year, and is exactly what Athens needs to keep it vibrant and thriving; i.e., local small businesses.

To honor my beloved hometown and share the love, I have created a poster featuring 16 small businesses that are unique to Athens. As a special introduction, I am offering the first 100 posters, locally silk screened by hand, and signed by the artist (that’s me!), on my website and at a few locations around town (to be determined - I'll let you know where soon). I have poured my heart and soul into this project, and I hope it will be as meaningful to you as it is to me.

Since I began my art career, my artistic output has focused on the question of “What makes a place feel good?” My goal is to share the uniqueness of places, focusing on that which people tend to ignore when passing by.

Often when people are scurrying down the street, thinking of their destination, they get involved in their own thoughts and fail to observe their surroundings. Yet one of Athens’ treasures is its collection of interesting entrances—environments you recognize but may never consciously perceive. Transitioning from the public to the private sphere, from the outdoors to the interior, from the grand to the intimate, enables you to share a space with those you love or explore a totally new location.

My goal in creating this new art series is to bring attention to everyday experiences, the beauty of our town, and our affection for this place.

When I first heard the phrase place attachment theory from Madeline Blankenship of the Get Artistic program hosted by Creature Comforts Brewery, images of my beloved Athens immediately began to swirl in my head. This poster and exhibit were born at that moment. The exhibit aims to highlight the joy we experience when visiting our favorite businesses after our pandemic confinement, when we are free to move about again. I have highlighted my favorite businesses of Athens with their delightful architecture and inviting entranceways, and created, not only fine art paintings, but a poster for sharing, enjoying, and giving as gifts.

The Doors of Athens exhibition of original contemporary art paintings on silk will open December 10th at Creature Comforts Brewery in downtown Athens. I look forward to seeing you there!

Silk painting #5 (detail) in process

Here it is!!! The Doors of Athens poster is printed in dark blue ink on a beautiful off-white 100 lb. poster paper by the kind people at Indie South. At 18" x 24", your new poster will fit in a standard poster frame for display and protection to adorn your home, office, dorm room, or place of business.

Perfect for gift giving! Perfect for yourself! Buy your poster here, and come see the NEW artwork at The Doors of Athens exhibit opening December 10th. More details to follow, but mark your calendar now!