Meet Renée Bouchon
Renée Bouchon is an Atlanta-based artist who explores color, form and the light and space between. Her work includes paintings, collage and monotype prints with subjects spanning botanicals, abstracts, still life and landscapes. She is inspired by her everyday surroundings as well as distant memories from childhood from which she pulls shapes and colors thus creating an encapsulated world where the elements commune but with only a vague or opaque narrative. Bouchon’s work seamlessly embodies the juxtaposition of quiet space and movement in a way that creates perfect harmony. Renee straddles the worlds of representation and abstraction, never heeding prevailing art world trends that demands she choose one or the other.
Heavily inspired by Milton Avery and Henri Matisse, Renée is drawn to their brilliant intuition for color and how it beautifully creates the foundation for their art. Color plays a vital role in Renée’s work and she intuitively selects and creates the hues she feels in the moment allowing each element of the painting to have a dialogue but also stand on its own. Color is magic in Renée’s eyes and is just as important, if not more so, as the brush strokes themselves.
What's one ritual or daily habit that sparks creativity for you?
"Most mornings, after the kiddos have left for school, I love thumbing through the (what feels like millions) of coffee table books I’ve hoarded over the years. This ritual gets my brain working and ideas flowing! I discover something new that inspires me every time I flip through them. Below is my current coffee table situation (perfect set up for a 2 and 4 yr old, I know!)."
Can you share a piece in your home that always brings you joy or inspires your work?
"Antique Art! I love collecting vintage paintings for my home. I’ve scored most from online estate sales, NYC flea markets and trips to Europe! These particular pieces are some of my favorites… there is something so special knowing they had a previous life somewhere far away before me. Inspiration spills from them!"
What colors or textures are inspiring you right now?
"At the moment, I’ve loving Chocolate browns, rich chartreuse, olive greens, and unexpected pops of orange."
Lastly, what are you most looking forward to this fall - either in your wardrobe or life outside the studio?
"The “Greenhouse Collection” I’ve created with Elliston House is probably at the top (duh!) It’s been over a year in the making and has been an absolute dream working with Morgan and Ally collectively experimenting with colors and textures and learning about the world of textiles. It’s been so amazing to see how my work can be translated to an entirely new substrate from grasscloth, to linen, to clay coated wallpaper...truly a dream! I’m so excited to see it put out into the world!"
