Meet René Shoemaker | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with René Shoemaker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi René, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I’ve always wanted to be a professional artist. Even as I started my career at age 4, I knew what I wanted. But the journey has been long!

My end-goal is to be financially stable with income from my art and related activities, and to help the next generation of artists thrive.

I absolutely love to exhibit my artwork and to reach a wider community through exhibitions, receptions, teaching, publications and social media.

Ten years before retirement I dedicated myself to building an art career. I began the planning process ten years before my retirement date so as to not lose any time.

And that’s exactly what I did!

It is satisfying to teach the process of silk-painting techniques, and I also teach The Business of Art courses so that I can work with new artist-entrepreneurs while giving back to my community.

I began my art career by exhibiting in cafés and restaurants, and now I exhibit in galleries and museums. It’s been a long road but I have enjoyed it.

My advice to creative artist-entrepreneurs is to build up your network of like-minded people. Go to art shows, talk to people, visit galleries, join your local, national and international art associations – or create your own! In those groups you will find people who will mentor you while finding those who need YOUR mentorship.

We are all on this journey together.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Having established two art studios–one outside Athens, GA and the other near Aubusson, France, I built a career of painting with dyes to create flowing, colorful artwork on radiant silk. After retiring from a profession as a university librarian at UGA, I have continued to refine my art, while sharing my knowledge and discovering new ways to express the world we collectively share.

My art is powerful and dramatic, using bold colors and negative space to embody movement through urban and rural environments; around buildings, down streets, across towns and landscapes. These scenes bring me peace and joy. My work evokes airiness and openness while inviting the viewer inward into the mysteries of the locales. The impact of large, flat areas of color on silk invoke color field paintings and bespoke colors arise vividly between masterful lines. Gallerist Jérôme Bel wrote of my work: “delicate dyed silk surfaces come to life with a line so singular it is almost a signature”.

“Perseverance furthers” is my motto that I repeat daily; I set my sights on a goal (i.e. exhibiting in San Francisco or becoming an international artist), then figure out how to make it happen. Silk painting is a fairly unknown art technique and creating and sharing it brings me much joy.
I am constantly updating my business skills as that part doesn’t come easily to me. My most exciting moments in my art career come from having in-person art receptions and talking to people and answering many questions.

I’ve been painting on silk for over 40 years and really enjoy sharing and teaching the technique. It’s pretty magical!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Athens, GA, I would first stop at Jittery Joe’s Roasters for the most excellent coffee in Athens situated in a pleasant atmosphere that brings you to the heart of coffee roasting. I always enjoy downtown Athens, of course, especially around College Square and the North Campus of the University of Georgia. Stop by the Globe pub for a refreshing drink and a relaxed evening. I like to be chill, and I think you can find that in Athens, GA. Another place to stop is Condor Chocolate in Five Points, and the downtown location is where you can watch the chocolate production. Creature Comforts Brewery is a good place to gather, and Ciné Athens is a great place to watch a quality movie.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The K. A. Artist Shop in Athens, Ga supports me (and hundreds of other creatives) in so many ways. I am eternally grateful for their care.

The community of Athens is my cushion that soothes my journey through the world of art and business.

Website: https://www.reneshoemaker.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rene.shoemaker.art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-shoemaker-art/

Twitter: -0-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reneshoemakerart/

Yelp: -0-

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reneshoemaker2305/videos

Image Credits
Jean-Marc Gargantiel
K. A. Artist Shop
René Shoemaker