We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful René Shoemaker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with René below.
René , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I’m proud to say my confidence is solid. It wasn’t always that way, though! I’ve constantly pushed myself (sometimes actually backing out of the scary situation before making the dreaded move). I sorta rehearse out loud what I am going to say; I do a little role play, and then I make the move.
One highlight in my life was speaking in front of 1,000 people at a conference (well, I was introducing someone else, but it was still scary!). Another was speaking in front of a group of people using my second not-very-strong language (French), when the microphone was suddenly handed to me during a group exhibition reception. During my first museum exhibition at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, GA, I spoke to a large group of visitors from a very high podium, but at least that subject was dear to my heart. If I hear a voice in my head that says “you can’t do that, René”, I buck up my resolve and move forward anyway. Another technique that helps me a lot is to say “If they can do it, so can I”.
I love talking about, explaining, and describing my artwork and what I do in this world, so I relish any chance I get to do that, whether during art receptions or in print (like this one!).
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
a) “René Shoemaker is a contemporary artist who paints on silk, creating colorful images that connect with those who like to travel and explore this world.” Since most people are unfamiliar
with silk painting it gives my brand an edge, and people are often curious about it. This gives me
an opportunity to talk to them and explain what I do and why I do it.
b) Besides being unique, silk painting is also a beautiful form of art. The silk floats in the air and the dye painted on the silk becomes luminous. After I paint and set the dye, the silk can then become art
for the wall (or ceiling!) or apparel.
c) I enjoy teaching my technique and in fact I am teaching this year both in San Francisco and in
a castle in France! You can find more information about these two opportunities on my website.
I also teach classes on The Business of Art. I’m a one-person enterprise building an
international following, so it’s a lot of work sometimes!
My brand is very much about myself and what I like. My artwork goes out into the world and
finds people who connect to my aesthetic. I am not trying to sell to everyone, but to those who
connect with what I do.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities:
1) perseverance
2) professionalism
3) clarity in communication
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Trick question!!! Build your strengths, be the best at what you do, and then invest in areas that need building. For me, that’s marketing.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.reneshoemaker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rene.shoemaker.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reneshoemakerart/
- Email: rene@reneshoemaker.
com
Image Credits
1.ShoemakerReneWithBookCoverArt.jpeg (My first book cover!). Photo credit: René Shoemaker Publisher : Mosaïque Press (1 Sept. 2023) Colours of the Moon: 1 (Artemesia Arts Annual Poetry Competition Anthology)by Sheila Schofield-Large (Editor), Kate Rose (Editor), Roger McGough (Foreword) Language : English Paperback : 50 pages ISBN-10 : 1906852669 ISBN-13 : 978-1906852665 2.ReneShoemakerArtExhibit-AubussonFrance-creditEricCluzel Places and Names solo exhibition at Galerie des Marches, Aubusson France 3.ReneShoemaker-creditJeanMarcGargantiel 4. ReneShoemaker-creditRinneAllen 5.KarenInAthens-creditReneShoemaker A happy collector shares her René Shoemaker Art ‘Raven’ cushion c)Team – rene and kate, rene and diane, rene and kate rose (although I do not have any paid staff I have a support team that keeps me strong 6a.Team-Rene+KateInSanFancisco photo credit: Kate Sutlive 6b. Team-Rene+Sam+Diane photo credit René Shoemaker 6c. Team-Rene+Maureen photo credit GWright 6d. Team-Rene+Harvey photo credit Maureen O’Brien 6e. Rene+KateRose photo credit René Shoemaker 7)Rene teaching in San Francisco – photo credit Michelle Thoms 8 )products – art etc ; ShoemakerReneBrand – Photo credit Eleonora Machado ShoemakerRene- Independent Bakery – credit: KAArtist ShoemakerRene-Cine – credit: KAArtist ShoemakerRene-FromTheFerry-SFSkyline – credit:Stephan 9 ) my signature + Logo: RDSsignatureLogo
