When images take over your head, you don't have a lot of choices. You can spend your life staring at pictures that no one else sees, or you can go with the flow and invite everyone in to watch the visions with you. I chose the latter course, of course, so fill up your popcorn bowl and let me give you a little background before the movie starts.

I'm a New Yorker, born and bred. I was raised with noise and rush and life all around me. My world was vivid technicolor, and no one ran faster than I did. I met and married the man of my dreams, and had the joys and exasperations of raising a family. And all of these events would have been the colors of my canvas if not for the happy opportunity of being able to spend some years in Japan.

Japan is the perfect place to plunk down a New Yorker. While it races along on one level, there is this other part of Japan that forces you to hit the mental brakes until the images racing by slow down enough to actually be seen! Eastern thought is a well from which to draw the pure water that clears the mind and strengthens the soul.

And these two coexisting visions are what you'll find as you wander through these pages.

I have been very lucky in life. I've had the unbelievable pleasure of turning visions into realities, and of having those pieces of me scattered around the world. I'm thrilled that they've found so much acceptance in exhibitions, and I'm humbled at the thought that they hang on the walls of museums. But I have to say that I am most pleased when they speak so loudly to another soul that that person has to bring me home to continue our conversation for years to come.

For the last 18 years, I've been a teacher, too. I have all the joys of being able to step back from what I do, and think through the principles I've recognized and the pathways I've wandered. And then to offer those insights to others to help them bring out their own mental images for the rest of us to share.

So the popcorn bowl is empty now, and it's time to wander through my images. If you have a chance, leave a note in my guestbook. I would truly love to hear from you.

Renee

AWARDS

Nese Alpan Gallery, 1499 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn, NY 11576;
(516) 484-7238; NeseAlpan@LarsaUSA.com

Elaine Benson Gallery, 2317 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY 11932;
(631)537-3233

A. Jain Marunouchi Gallery, 24 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019;
(212)969-9660; Jainmar@aol.com