52 Pieces Blog

Time for Action

2010-01-16T13:22:15-05:00

The recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti is a tragedy of yet unknown proportions, afflicting a country in dire need to begin with. There are many ways you can help, and I decided to dedicate a blog post to this urgent cause.

My future in-laws are from Port-au-Prince, and I feel compelled to do all I can to contribute to relief efforts as a blogger, artist, and human being. Whether or not you have family or friends in Haiti, it's crucial we all unite to make a difference RIGHT NOW.

I am honored to join in the Bloggers Day of Action for Haiti, a relief effort organized by the awesome blogger Jeanine Hays, author of AphroChic. Art and design bloggers from all over the country are dedicating their posts to helping the people of Haiti. In addition, Jeanine is conducting a charity auction on her website with items donated from fellow creatives, with 100% of the proceeds going towards Haiti earthquake relief. You can read more about the Bloggers Day of Action in a recent article by Carolyn Rubenstein of the Huffington Post.

I'm excited to announce that I'm currently working on a piece of artwork inspired by Haiti for Jeanine's auction. I will let you all know as soon as the piece is up for auction, and hope that you will all bid.

In the meantime, there are numerous ways you can contribute. In our age of technology and social media outlets, it's easier than ever to make a donation.

DONATE VIA TEXT: It takes 5 seconds to do, and the charge is added to your next phone bill.

Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Text "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5 to Haiti native Wyclef Jean's foundation, Yele Haiti.

DONATE VIA WEBSITE: Make your donation online.

Red Cross

UNICEF

Yele Haiti

Partners In Health

DONATE VIA PHONE: Pick up the phone and give.

American Red Cross: 1-800-257-7575

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this information, and I hope you all find it in your hearts to help our dear neighbors in Haiti.

Alau Sunrise

2010-01-10T22:52:00-05:00

Well friends, this is the last piece of the series... for now. As I mentioned in this post, I will be focusing on larger paintings in the new year, but I still may throw a small piece in the mix from time to time. I will be posting all new artwork on 52pieces, so stay subscribed for the very latest!

This week's piece, "Alau Sunrise" depicts Alau Island... a small whimsical island near the black sand Koki Beach in Hana, Maui. I chose to paint a sunrise because I feel this year is a time of new beginnings... artistically, personally, and spiritually. It's a new day...

"Alau Sunrise" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

ORIGINAL SOLD

New Year's Countdown!

2009-12-30T10:55:17-05:00

Hello friends,

I know it's been awhile and you've been missing your weekly piece of art! There are two pieces left to wrap up the project, which I'll be posting this Sunday January 3rd and the next Sunday, January 10th.

I've been a busy little bee... working hard on exciting new developments for 2010. Of course, it's hard to focus during the holidays when you've got an abundance of family, friends, and food! But I'm back to work, putting the finishing touches on an updated 52prints.com, as well as creating a new site featuring larger pieces of art.

There's a lot to look forward to in 2010... Although I'll miss bringing you a new original every week, my energy will be focused on canvas prints of all the pieces to date, as well as new large originals. Every artist has to mix it up, or you get stuck in a rut... and that's no way to start the new year!

Wishing you all a positive and creative 2010...

Renee

Silent Night

2009-12-14T17:07:17-05:00

This week, I experimented with a new style as an ode to one of my favorite artists, Gustav Klimt. "Silent Night" was created using acrylic paints and intricate metallic pen details. I wanted the mother and child to appear almost colorless; their milky white skin a stark contrast to the elaborate design work in the background.

"Silent Night" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

ORIGINAL SOLD

Mother & Child

2009-12-06T22:52:00-05:00

Continuing on the theme of love, the last few pieces of the year will be dedicated to motherhood. I experimented with more abstract concepts for this week's piece... it resembles a woodblock print or etching, yet it was created using acrylic paints and a drybrush technique. By reducing the image to a black and white line drawing, I was able to focus on the form and feeling of the figures.

There is something sweet and simple about the end result... I think this will be a popular print for Mother's Day!

"Mother & Child" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

ORIGINAL SOLD

Update: Changes in the New Year

2009-12-06T00:28:20-05:00

Hello art lovers,

With the new year comes a lot of new exciting changes for 52pieces and 52prints...

I will be putting the weekly paintings on hiatus at the end of 2009 in order to focus on expanding 52prints. It's definitely been a challenge to create a painting a week, and I'm happy I was able to accomplish it for a year and a half. Now it's time for me to concentrate on making the most out of all 78 paintings to date... this means a coffee table book, gift card sets, calendars, and more!

For everyone who has asked about larger pieces, I'll now have time to work on big canvases. Soon, there will be a special offshoot called 52Select, which will allow you to order your favorite image as a large giclee. There will also be a commission request link, for clients to request custom original works of art.

Keep in mind, 52prints.com is currently undergoing changes which will be in effect by the end of this year. All prints will increase to $75, and come matted... so scoop up your favorite prints while they're still under the scaling price model!

I'm looking forward to 2010 and sharing more affordable art with you... Thank you for taking this journey with me!

Aloha,

Renee

Midnight Rain

2009-11-29T22:52:00-05:00

A couple dances in the middle of the night, in the rain, in joy, in sadness...

"Midnight Rain" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

The Kiss

2009-11-22T22:52:00-05:00

"The Kiss" was created using a drybrush technique and layering of acrylic paint. At first, I experimented with the entire piece in a cool color palette of blues and purples. But in the end, I decided a warm background would compliment the figures nicely and create an interesting contrast. It's as if the couple is enveloped in a calm sea of blue as their passion burns in fiery hues around them.

"The Kiss" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

ORIGINAL SOLD

Romance Series

2009-11-15T22:52:00-05:00

February is coming early this year... love is in the air! The next few pieces will be part of a series depicting semi-abstract figures in loooove. By simplifying the shapes and colors, my hope is that the piece becomes more about the emotion than the figures. That way the figures can represent anyone, anywhere...

First in the series, "Island Lovers":

"Island Lovers" by Renee Coates. Acrylic on canvas, 6" x 6".

Hula Hālau

2009-11-01T22:52:00-05:00

Hālau is a Hawaiian word meaning school or group. It can also be interpreted as "a branch from which many leaves grow."

This week's piece depicts three lovely dancers in their hula hālau...

"Hula Hālau" by Renee Coates. Oil on canvas, 6" x 6".

ORIGINAL SOLD