Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you currently reside and work?  I presently split my time between Carmel-by-the-sea, CA and Lake Forest, IL. I have a small studio that I love working in, in the woods behind my house, and a large studio in Lake Bluff, IL.

2-How long have you been making art and what lead you to start? I have been making art for my entire life. I’ve known since kindergarten that this would be my path, and I have worked professionally as an artist since high school in the late 80’s.

3-Did you study art or is it inherent? I guess I can only say that whatever I’ve got is inherent. I dropped out of high school and got my GED, and started working at the only thing I felt any passion for- ART.

4-How would you describe Rene Schuler? I would say that I am kind, focused, positive, loving, genuine, and that I operate with integrity.

5-You have a Ladies series which I am enthralled by. What is the inspiration behind this series? First and foremost, I am inspired by the (seemingly endless) stories that have been the building blocks of who I am today. I had a very difficult childhood, was a homeless runaway as a teen, a fundamentally flawed and damaged young adult, and now a perpetually healing sort of woman. I bring a lot of all that into every piece I create, and the more I heal, the more I am able to channel in some of the energies of the many stories of others that I encounter in life. I spent most of my life feeling (or being) alone, and I have become very empowered by that space. I think the works I am creating have a feeling of beauty, strength, and spirituality- things I feel are so important to have in life. We all need to feel ok about who we are, no matter what the baggage is, or how damaged or flawed we are. I think the message in my work is truly so important to have out in the world.

6-Do you imagine any narrative continuity for the characters in your paintings? I really do. Every piece, if I am successful in staying focused, tells a singular story. It is a conveyance of a certain and particular kind of energy that I have to stay tapped into throughout. It’s a powerful experience for me to have, because I relate it to meditation, and it is so cathartic.

7-Have you ever asked a buyer, why my art? What is it about your work that interests them? Sort of. I can’t remember a specific time that I asked that question, but I have saved many cards, notes, emails, and messages over the years, where people have conveyed to me how my work has impacted them. The beautiful thing with that is, they usually came to me at times when I really needed a little reassurance or validation. Like most artists, I spend a lot of time being very critical of the work I am doing. Sure of it, or not, there is always a bit of second-guessing.

8-How do you define success? Success, to me, is knowing how to grow from failure.

9-What kind of art hangs on the walls of your home? My husband and I have a collection of over a hundred works from, mostly, emerging American artists. The bulk of the work is abstract figurative, but overall it’s an eclectic mix of artists like: Maria Tomasula, Erin Washington, William Conger, Francine Turk, Ari Smejkal, Dr. Seuss, Kathrine E. Nash, Mark Winter, Sergio Gomez, Jill McLean, Renee McGinnis, Tony Fitzpatrick, Adolf Benca, George Colin, Michael Dinges, Antonia Gurkovska, and so many more…

10-What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from an artist, about being an artist? To stay true to my message, and never cave to the whims of societal influences, fads, trends, politics or other commentary.

11-What influences you as an artist? Inner beauty, rising above adversity, genuine love and kindness. The general “human condition”, and all the inherent flaws that come with that state of being. The connection to something deeper than the physical self.

12-How would you like to be seen as an artist years from now? As someone who held true to her message, and put the absolute best work she could do out into the world, as someone who wanted to remind all of those who need reassurance- that they are beautiful, strong, necessary, and worth loving, and as someone who absolutely loves creating art.

13-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? René Magritte, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein.

14-Three things you can’t live without in your studio? My mega powerful air cleaner, my phenomenal studio manager, Megan Bonke, and a lot of drinking water.

15-How would someone find you on social media? Instagram @reneromeroschuler