Inventive Artist Transforms the Ordinary

Reneé Roberts will paint on anything for anyone. This trained artist said she loves a challenge and has painted on everything from cabinets to wedding dresses; yes, to be worn during the wedding. Art comes easily to her, and her clients benefit from her prowess.

The daughter of a military surgeon, Roberts was constantly on the move. After her father passed from cancer, Roberts and a high school friend moved to Atlanta where Roberts earned an art scholarship at a little known high school in Druid Hills. She took her artistic assets to the American College for Applied Arts in Buckhead and focused on fine art.

“When I was in school, fine art was really my thing. I painted exactly what I saw, really detailed stuff,” Roberts explained.

Since then, Roberts expanded her artistic repertoire to include just about everything. She uses acrylics, pen and ink, pastels, clay and charcoal. Interestingly, Roberts has avoided trying oil paints.

“I work mainly with acrylics," she said. "I think that's only because I've never tried oils. My father passed away when I was 7, and he was big into oils and was an incredible artist. Maybe I've been intimidated by his skills."

Regardless of her chosen medium, Roberts is able to transform otherwise ordinary objects into extraordinary works of art. She has metamorphosed pool decks, elevator rooms, furniture and walls in her artistic experience and is always looking for a new challenge.

“That's one big asset that I can offer. There's not too many artists that I work with that can jump from the cabinets to the murals. I'm not afraid to step outside of the box and do crazy stuff for people. I think I was blessed in my art, it just comes so easy to me."

She is able to take the needs of her clients into consideration with aplomb, something that many commissioned artists struggle with. Roberts says that research is key when working with a client's usually specific tastes.

“Because I work with so many designers and decorators and high maintenance people, I think I really have a knack for shutting up, getting quiet and listening, figuring out exactly what they want to see. So many people just jump right into the project without researching.”

Specialized projects are Roberts' specialty, and she has unique ideas for completing them. In a show home in Woodmont, Roberts created a series of 3D fossils using mud and lots of research. The theme was Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the set up involved a parachute and wooden furniture. Roberts said the creation of these realistic fossils was her favorite project to date. 

“I love what I do, and I don't feel like the job is done until the client also loves it.”

Roberts has left her artistic touch all over Downtown Woodstock. She teaches casual painting classes at , where some of her art and furniture are for sale. Her paintings are also a prominent features in . She has been commissioned to do a Cuban street scene mural for the Cigar Bar in the near future. She also added an impressive slate-style faux finish to the elevator room for the condos at 316 Chamber's St., just down the sidewalk from the Cigar Bar.

Take a tour of Roberts' Woodstock contributions or visit her website at ReneeArt.Webs.Com.