
Summer Update

art
This is an historic moment in the world where everything has been turned upside down. I have lost several uncles this year and one to Coronavirus. We have been in Shelter in Place for 38 days. I look forward to daily walks and trail excursions to catch those signs of spring I had been looking forward to all winter. What mattered most to me then, matters even more now.
I decided to make some cards to cheer some people up. If you are stuck inside, get out some paints and have fun, share things.
Happy 2020! This year has been busy so far, working on portrait commissions. I have some work on display in my neighborhood at the People’s Pop Up Gallery on Fillmore at O’Farrell Street in San Francisco. Featuring a portrait of local musician Dewayne Oakley and famous Bay Swimmer Mitali Khanzode. Thanks to the San Francisco Parks Alliance for offering up the space! It’s so nice to be able to show my work in my neighborhood.
Over the holidays I had the opportunity to work on a mural with my sister, artist Patricia Rodriguez, in the Bishop Arts District in Dallas. It is for a cute Airbnb rental called La Bodega de Bishop Arts. I look forward to painting with her again.
Things are moving along and the creative projects keep flowing! I have a new studio mate who will be helping me with arts and crafts: Fred the Cockatiel!
He likes to cut paper and we will be collaborating on projects to bring art to the people for your everyday life. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!
I am now taking pet portrait commissions. Contact for pricing!
Save the date for November 2nd – 3rd for the SFOS Weekend 4! Open studio with refreshments and video demos of my process!
This month, I had a chance to travel and explore the Galapagos with my swim group Water World Swim. It has been a dream for several years to go see it. It is quite a unique place, with endemic species you won’t see anywhere else. Though the area is populated, it is a protected national park. We swam with sea turtles, saw the giant tortoises and marine iguanas and enjoyed delicious fresh and healthy cuisine. I brought my sketchbook with me and had a chance to do some nature journaling. There is something about the air there that helped me to relax and forget about all the troubles on the mainland. It was really fun going with a group. We had wonderful local hosts that had arranged hotel deals and daily sightseeing trips with a guide. It is definitely worth it. I look forward to continue working on a series of art and illustrations of that location.
I just updated the portfolio with a couple of oil paintings, watercolors, and some sketches.
I discovered the joys of embossing powder, and went about decorating all my sketchbooks with it. My latest obsession is with water soluble wax based paint. I enjoy the vibrancy and transparency of it but they are also easy to rework with water and add more layers of paint. I’m experimenting with small pieces, cards and shareable art. It’s been raining alot but I did manage to get out and do some plein air painting. We are going to have an exhibit of life drawing at the Mission Cultural Center soon, subscribe to my mailing list for details!
It’s been a very productive winter so far! I did a series of small portraits for my family, some still lifes, a large-ish oil painting and a workshop with artist Liana Steinmetz called “Connecting to Land Through Paper and Paint” at the Pacific Felt Factory. I will be adding a whole new section to my website for oil paintings soon. Right now I’m doing research for a new art project called “Re-Generation”, about family roots and connecting to history. When we connect to the land with art, we are also connecting to our roots. Follow the trail from the past to the present!
This has been a great year for my art so here are a few things that helped me find my way back to my art process and what keeps me going in the studio:
I hope this helps bring more art into your life. I look at art as a way to grow as a person and express and connect with others in a deeper more meaningful way. It’s a way to be more human in our increasingly digital and consumerized society.
What’s happening in the studio this fall/winter? Still life and portraits! I still have some watercolor prints and postcards for sale in my shop in case you are looking for those hard to find gifts. Follow me on instagram @renerodzart.
.