New Feature Exhibition in March February 14 2020
René Guerin
Cross Section
On View: March 7 - 28, 2020
Opening Reception: Sat., March 7, 4-7 PM
About the Exhibition
Vero Beach artist René Guerin is known for her expressive, witty paintings that explore life in coastal Florida. She has been represented by Arts on Douglas since 2001 and this is her fourth solo exhibition at the gallery.
While her work is rooted in realism, Guerin often takes creative liberties, placing greater emphasis on expressive characteristics through her use of gestural brushstrokes, flattened or distorted perspectives, unconventional compositions, and unique color combinations. She explains, “I focus on essence rather than detail as I join aspects of expressive and traditional painting in my work.”
As the title of her exhibition suggests, Guerin has chosen to present a Cross Section of work for this display, highlighting the many techniques and diverse subject matter that have become part of her repertoire over the years, from sea and riverscapes to still-lifes and lively figurative compositions. Guerin has also included a series of monochrome sculptural forms. These human and animal figures are a stark contrast to her brightly colored paintings but share the same vivacity and humor that is characteristic of her work.
Guerin captures a range of emotional qualities in her artwork, even with similar subject matter. Her paintings Cold Front and High Rise, for example, are both quintessential examples of seascapes, however, they differ significantly in the moods they seek to capture. Cold Front is a striking minimal composition illustrating an overcast winter day, nearly devoid of life, with two lone figures walking in the distance as the sea fades to sky. High Rise, on the other hand, presents a lively summertime beach scene, with the brilliant blues and greens of the ocean set against brightly colored beach umbrellas with groups of people and seafaring birds gathered in the distance.
While there is great diversity in René Guerin’s work, she has developed a unique and easily recognizable style, full of energetic, animated brushstrokes that bring her subjects to life. As Guerin explains, in her own words, “My work is a visual record of how everyday life intersects with the creative process. Through my work as an artist, I draw inspiration from the people and places familiar to me, as well as concepts and techniques from art history that interest me. I have explored a range of stylistic approaches over the years and now have the freedom to pull from these techniques and methods to choose the ones that best suit each subject.”
About the Artist
René Guerin received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. Guerin has over 40 years of painting experience and has participated in solo, juried, and group exhibitions throughout the United States, including the Boca Raton Museum of Art; the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center; Bellaire; and the Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach. Her work is currently included in the permanent collections of Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach, Florida; the Foosaner Art Museum, Melbourne, Florida; and the Morris Museum, Augusta, Georgia.