We recently connected with Renée Marjolein and have shared our conversation below.
Renée , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Earlier this year a painter acquaintance and I tentatively reached out to each other about an opportunity to exhibit at a new artist run gallery space.
There were layers of risk.
We’d met through a course but didn’t know each other that well, our work isn’t a natural pairing, the space is fairly new and neither of us had exhibited like this before, let alone hung work or run a gallery space.
And the proposal deadline was the next day.
We went to an opening that night (providential timing) and decided to take the plunge.
Hoping to share the load further we invited a photographer and a ceramicist to join us, not knowing their reliability or commitment. We even sent the proposal in before getting their confirmation.
The proposal was accepted, and we were committed.
That tentative reaching out led to a very successful exhibition and so many unforeseen bonuses.
We upped our social media presence, ran workshops and sold work.
Running the space ourselves gave us great insight into our audience.
We had amazing conversations with viewers and were so encouraged by the interest and appreciation of our work.
I could not have done it on my own but reaching out to the creative community made all the difference.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Renée I live and work in the beautiful Waikato in New Zealand. I create wood cut prints of iconic NZ scenes, mostly baches (NZ holiday homes) along the Coromandel coast.
After art school, teachers college and full time parenting, I’ve returned to printmaking and fallen in love again with the tactile, meditative process of wood cut printmaking.
I love using the graphic nature of wood cut prints to beautifully highlight the clear New Zealand light of early morning or late evening, illuminating/spotlighting the baches and casting deep shadows.
The bach series began as a response to the recent pandemic restrictions, after many cancelled holidays I needed to see those homes that were landmarks along the way to our favorite camping holiday spots. So I began drawing.
How could I not? And it grew naturally from there.
The baches themselves began to be symbolic, standing full face to the viewer, honest and unhidden, but cloaked in the cool bush and garden. A desirable stillness, confidence and security.
They capture a sense of place and connect viewers back to fond memories of holidays and childhood. They feel like home, gezellig as my Oma would say, welcoming and relaxed, a feeling of belonging and rest as a counter to all the unrest we are faced with in other areas of our lives.
They’re not perfect show homes, they’re lived in and surrounded with the stuff of life, ladders, water tanks and washing that evidence the life of the place.
I was so thrilled when a respected New Zealand artist bought my work and said “Just gorgeous and the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of an artwork that reminds me of my childhood.”
Each commission I’ve worked on or print I’ve sold has a similar story and response and that assures me that my work is making a difference in peoples lives, providing comfort and a safe landing space.
Have you ever had to pivot?
2022 was a pivot point for me, the last of our kids started school and I needed to decide between renewing my registration to teach (Secondary school Art) or pursuing my printmaking.
We decided to make a go of it. A year of Yes! Stretching out of my comfort zone to test all the paths and see which would be the one to follow. It has been so much more than I could have imagined.
Literally day one I heard about a pilot program designed to help creatives build a sustainable business, it was absolutely the right thing at the right time. I applied right away.
Their industry knowledge and support skyrocketed my creative journey.
I’ve moved from dabbler to artist.
I’ve connected with local printmakers and other creatives, built a website, grown my social media, entered works into several exhibitions, had a group exhibition, run workshops, made several new prints, am represented by a wonderful gallery and have an invitation to exhibit in 2023.
My work is resonating with people and that is such an encouragement.
It hasn’t all been smooth or easy but this is definitely the path I want to be on.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Bringing joy! When I hear that delighted little intake of breath and someone say “oh, it’s just like (insert special place/memory)” my heart lifts. That’s when I know my work has hit its mark and I love it!
I recently had the pleasure of working on a commission of a favorite holiday spot and all the happy family memories there. The print, a caravan set up between iconic pohutukawa trees and the coast, was designed from photos and conversations with the family. It captures the key features of the place and evokes warm feelings and memories of time spent there. I felt so honored to help them celebrate their special place in this way.
And while its specific to them, it is also so Kiwi that it resonates with a wider audience. Many people have commented how it brings back their own childhood or holiday memories. They share with me their stories of holidays and road trips. It’s a joy to see them light up and reminisce.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rmprintmaker.com
- Instagram: @renee_marjolein_printmaker
- Facebook: Renée Marjolein Printmaker
Image Credits
Jolene Jones