I was born in New Orleans and was raised in a lively, loving and creative family. My grandmother was a gifted seamstress who worked in a bridal shop where she designed patterns, made beautiful gowns and added hand-embellished details. She could knit, crochet and whip up a mean pot of Creole Gumbo in the blink of an eye. My mother was the queen of crafting before crafting was even popular. Armed with a can of spray paint, Elmer’s glue and fist full of glitter, she could turn the ordinary into the extraordinary – all the while dressed in a Pucci mini-skirt, frosted lipstick and glamorous false eyelashes.
My created journey really started after I graduated from the University of Michigan. I studied dance, choreography, and for good measure, art history. Although I was trained in classical ballet, I soon discovered the world of contemporary dance, a world where I could express my ideas through the passionate and ephemeral medium of choreography.
After many fulfilling years in the world of dance, it was time to gracefully exit stage right. I needed to find a new place where I could channel my creative energy and earn a living at the same time.
Voila! An idea was born! I opened a divine little boutique where one could find contemporary fashions and other stylish accoutrements. Time passed and I made the decision to sell my lovely little jewel and set out on yet another creative expedition—as you may have guessed, I’m a Gemini!
So now I am faced with a mind overflowing with ideas and a soul that desperately needs to create—something, anything! There are no dazzling dancers to stir through space and the exquisite canvas of my store has vanished—so what is this artsy girl to do? A question I pondered for quite some time, until one day I decided to unearth my old art supplies and thought just maybe….
Fast forward to a couple of years later, when through a class at the local community college I learned to turn my drawings into digital art. I have once again found my creative voice. However, up until now, all of my delightful doodles, drawings, and ideas have been safely tucked away into a tiny blue folder icon on my computer desktop. So, with great trepidation and upon the urging of a few trusted friends, I have decided to open the little blue folder and put my art into the world.
I welcome this new chapter of my creative journey, overjoyed that I didn’t give up. Each one of us has a unique creative point of view, a gift that should never be ignored. If you haven’t found your voice quite yet, my advice is set out on your creative expedition and keep searching until you find something you love to do, make, mold, design, cook, plant, paint, sew, knit or build - you never know when something beautiful will unfold.
My name is Renee Rodriquez and here are my links. http://www.reneerodriguezdesigns.com http://www.reneerodriguez.typepad.com
I have the good fortune to know Renee personally, and after viewing her sophisticated illustrations and her self-published first book, this is one lady I'll keep an eye on. In the future it wouldn't surprise me to find her little books published by major distributors and for sale in my favorite bookstore!
Posted by: Dave Hile | December 09, 2009 at 10:02 AM