We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Renard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, why did you pursue a creative career?
I didn’t set out to pursue artistic careers but I found them. It happened over time and was more of an evolution than a revolution. The schools I attended were liberal arts and required a balance of math, science, language and the arts. While I enjoyed the art classes, I didn’t plan on becoming a Creative Director or a fine art photographer at that time.

When I look back, I was always documenting what I saw with my camera, my friends, my family and my neighborhood, but photography as a creative art form wasn’t embraced until much later in life. I took photos for 30 years without anyone but friends and family viewing them. After remarrying, my wife encouraged me to get my photos out there. Since then, my photography has found its way into art galleries in New York, London, Budapest, Texas, Oregon, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut and across California. My photography has also received numerous Best of Show awards and has been published in both books and photography magazines, including the cover of Black & White magazine.

Today, I still find myself documenting the light and shadow, with camera in hand, examining the buildings, the landscapes and the occasional people, who wander through my frames.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My most recent solo exhibition, which was at The Artists Gallery in April was titled “Urbanity in Black & White”, which examined the light, shadow, and texture of urban areas. Twenty two high contrast, urban cityscapes evoked an eerie sense of peace and tranquility, rarely portraying more than a few people.

Current Exhibitions

TAG Gallery “Made in the USA” group show, Los Angeles, CA July 26 – August 11, 2023

Santa Paula Art Museum “The California Scene” group show, Santa Paula , CA July 15-Nov 5, 2023

Malibu City Gallery “Shifting Tides” July 16-August 25, 2023

Las Laguna “Open Theme” July 2023

 

Upcoming Exhibitions

TAG Gallery “Our Fragile Planet” group show, Los Angeles, CA August 16 – September 8, 2023

2023 Gallery 825 “Supersense” group show, Los Angeles, CA August 19 – September 15, 202

 

Solo Exhibitions

2023 TAG Gallery Solo Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA April 4-26, 2023

2020 The Space Between, Fabrik Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Abandoned Spaces & Urban Places, House of Lucie, Los Angeles, CA
2015 Photography by Eric M Renard, Seyhoun Gallery, West Hollywood, CA

 

2023 Exhibitions

2023 TAG Gallery “Americana” group show, Los Angeles, CA June 7-23

2023 Soho Photography Gallery “National Competition”, New York, NY July 12-29

2023 TAG Gallery “Black/White” group show, Los Angeles, CA June 7-23

2023 SFVACC / SCORE “Call of the Wild”, Los Angeles, CA

2023 Light Space & Time “Seascapes”, Albuquerque, NM
2023 Gallery 825 “Informationary” group show, Los Angeles, CA May 27 – June 23,2023

2023 Praxis Gallery “Frames within Frames”, Minneapolis, MN
2023 Praxis Gallery “Member Showcase”, Minneapolis, MN

2023 Kehler Lidell Gallery “Light”, New Haven, CT
2023 Huntington Beach Art Center “Centered on the Center”, Los Angeles, CA
2023 TAG Gallery “PCH”, Los Angeles, CA
2023 Thousand Oaks Art Gallery “Artists’ Choice”, Los Angeles, CA
2023 PhotoPlace Gallery “Windows, Mirrors and Doors”, Middlebury, VT
2023 TAG Gallery “New Works Showcase”, Los Angeles, CA
2022 TAG Gallery “Small Works”, Los Angeles, CAMalibu City Gallery “Music Inspired Art”, Malibu, CA
2022 TAG Gallery “Angel Open”, Los Angeles, CA
2023 RICPA “Black, White and All the Grays Between”, Providence, RI
2023 PhotoPlace Gallery “Monochrome”, Middlebury, VT

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A Dodger game
Harvelle’s in Santa Monica for live music
Jitlada for asian food
Fairfax Farmer’s Market for jambalaya
The Artists Gallery to see art
Sol Y Luna for mexican food
Hollywood Bowl

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Since I already gave my wife a shoutout, I’ll give one to parents, who have encouraged me across the board in whatever I have done. I am also on the Board of Directors of two non-profit art organizations, who put on exhibitions and classes and help artists get exposure.

Check the California Art League – https://www.californiaartleague.org
and the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center – https://sfvacc.org

Website: https://ericrenardphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renard_photo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmrenard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063521980530

Image Credits
Photo by Eric Renard and Robert Downs (headshots)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.