BIO/CONTACT

Renate C. Collins 201 Bryant Street Suite # 1B Ojai, California 93023 805-640-1115 renate@ojaivalleyart.com

Renate Collins was born in Germany, studied arts and sciences and emigrated to the U.S. in 1970.  She continued her studies in Switzerland, New York, and New Mexico, where she taught at the Taos Institute of Arts.  She received outstanding awards and is represented in Museum and private collections internationally.  Presently she is "Artist in Residence" at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.

I enjoy learning, reading, studying, experiencing. To acquire new skills and share them is deeply gratifying. Hoping to inspire others to be the most they can be. I teach my craft passionately providing tools for living more authentic and happier lives.

Traveling extensively and enjoying long stays in different countries allowed me to experience other cultures, and to find similarities in being human.

My inspiration comes from nature, being quiet, listening within, but also from exchanging creative ideas.

Courage comes from trusting the journey and being present.  I am blessed with two sons and a daughter, all amazing people, two delightfully creative grandchildren, an incredible life partner, great friends and colleagues, a sweet dog and assertive cat. Life has given endless opportunities to grow with pain and joy, and I am grateful for all of them.

Why I Paint Botanicals

Not the least of it has to do with curiosity about detail and purpose, as it is present in all things natural.

The possibility of common origin ... or at least shared pasts...
And presences of law and order.

An answer, maybe, to an age old question about creative dreaming at the beginning, of wishing into being, before all motion...

But the question is too deep to answer, and the symbols cloak a revelation ... except! for beauty in the obvious!

I want to open another window to manifested mysteries, to understanding oneness and love.

I need to feel how we relate!
and make it visible for myself!
With line and color, filtered image.

Renate C. Collins Taos N.M. September 2000