My Story As a prairie girl with a passion for linocut printmaking, I have inherited a deep respect for tradition, family, integrity and hard work from my pioneering ancestors. The illustrations, designs and surface patterns I create with my prints are a labour of love that begin with hand-carved linocuts I create in my studio. “White River Studio” is the brand for my company which I run from my cozy, home workspace in Calgary, Alberta. My husband and I live in a busy household with our two teenage children, and our many pets of all sizes and species. Even though we live in the city, we call our house a homestead as we have lots of chores and yard work to tackle as we care for our pets (which include three cats, a large rescued dog, two leopard geckos and a frog). My home is my happy place and my workplace. Creating a warm, welcoming environment for my family and friends is important to me as a mother, wife and artist. When I graduated from art school with a BFA in Visual Communications, I began my career as a graphic designer. After I started a family, I stepped away from advertising agency life to begin working from home as a freelance graphic designer. Balancing my work and family life is important to me. Somehow I found time between work and family to teach art classes. Teaching art returned me to my fine art roots and I realized the hands-on approach to making art was something I still yearned for. Working with linocuts refueled my creative spirit and I knew I had to find a way to incorporate printmaking into my creative business. Three years ago, I decided to transition from graphic design to printmaking and illustration. The process has been full of learning, inspiration and digging in to discover my signature style. I continue to refine my skills and set new goals to grow my business. Licensing my artwork for home decor, stationery and publishing is the next step to sharing my artwork with customers who are searching for unique products made with old world craftsmanship and character.
My Artwork My work has been described as “moonlit,” “moody” and “vintage-inspired.” I enjoy telling stories with my art using references from literature, history, and nature. Pulling characters from the pages of books, researching history and exploring the wonders of the natural world provide a rich source of inspiration. Because I use black ink on white paper for my linocuts, I work with the elements of shadow and light as well as shape, form and texture in my printmaking. Visiting local vintage and antique shops is one of my favourite pastimes. I want to fill my home with meaningful, beautiful things that I treasure. Vintage items have stood the test of time in a world filled with mass-produced, disposable products. They come from an era when things were built to last. I enjoy curating the things I see and use everyday to suit my aesthetic style. Even my favourite coffee mug is an expression of my personal taste. When I see it in the cupboard or on my desk, it makes me happy. I strive for my art to be like that mug – something beautiful that I have brought into my home that has a purpose and is a meaningful part of my day-to-day life. Printing my artwork on decorative items makes it a tactile experience. Like my favourite mug, I can hold it in my hands, feel its warmth and know it has been created with craftsmanship and integrity.
The Garden of Secrets
- Illustration Set
The poem “Patte rns” by Amy Lowe ll tells the story of a young lady strolling down an English garden path contemplatin g her life, love, and secret ambitions. The “G arden of Secrets” illustrations bring this poem to life. The embro idery hoop frames are a trib ute to the history of “fancy” needlework that was a popular dec orative art in Victorian times. This collection sta rted when I found a card with the poem in an envelo pe containing my grandmother’s keepsakes. I was also inspired by the portrait of a Victorian woman from a historical photo collection. My artwork begins with drawings and prints. I then sca linocut n my artwork to create digitally printed illustrati ons for home and office decor. Maintaining the handmade charac ter of my work is an important par t of my process. To learn more about my artwork, please visit my we bsite. © 2022 Designed
& Illustrated by Renée White www.whiteriverde signstudio.com
MO ON
Framed Canvas Prints by Renée White Telling stories with art is what I am most passionate about. I create linocuts prints by hand in my home studio called White River Studio. I add colour and text to my prints digitally to create wall art that maintains the hand-carved character of the linocuts. Working digitally allows me to layer my sketches and prints to build detail and texture. Printing my artwork professionally onto high quality canvas to maintains the detail and colour of my work.
What sets my work apart? • • • • •
Unique artwork that is created by hand in Calgary Professionally printed on high quality canvas Bamboo embroidery frames are lightweight and easy to hang Adds Victorian Cottage Core aesthetic to any room Each piece/set comes with a “story” card describing the artwork.
Why embroidery hoop frames? Historical artifacts and vintage treasures provide a rich source of inspiration for my art. I use embroidery hoop frames for my artwork as a tribute to the history of “fancy” needlework that was a popular decorative art in Victorian times. The frames add another cottage core element to my artwork.
To see more of my artwork, please visit my website www.whiteriverdesignstudio.com or Instagram @whiteriverartstudio where I share what I am currently working on and highlight my creative process. I also sell my work on in my Etsy shop called Ardent Moon Studio.
Artwork Available to Order 1. Garden of Secrets Collection 6 Piece Framed Canvas Prints (Set) Framed in Embroidery Hoops
This set depicts a vintage Victorian English cottage garden with delightfully dark goth elements including a skull and skeleton key. The collection was inspired by “Patterns” written by Amy Lowell. The poem tells the story of a young lady strolling down an English garden path contemplating her life, love, and secret ambitions. Sell for $75.00 (6 piece set)
2. Shadowy Forest Collection 6 Piece Framed Canvas Prints (Set) Framed in Embroidery Hoops
The Shadowy Forest illustration set is a magical collection of fairy folk, plants, mushrooms, and insects. The set illustrates the tale a secret, wooded place that comes alive in the shadows. A forest fairy is surrounded by the plants and woodland creatures in her realm. Nature recharges her spiritual energy. Sell for $75.00 (6 piece set)
3. Eternal Love Collection
Framed Canvas Prints ( 6 Individual) Framed in Embroidery Hoops The Eternal Love illustration collection was inspired by a quote from Rumi, “Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.” The set illustrates the concepts of eternal love and romantic rituals from the Victorian era. Available in 3 sizes: Small (4”) - $14.99 Medium (6”) - $19.99 Large (8”) - $24.99
4. Hansel & Gretel Collection
Framed Canvas Prints ( 6 Individual) Framed in Embroidery Hoops The Hansel & Gretel illustration collection was inspired by my favourite childhood fairy tale. The set features forest and cottage elements created from the story. The colour palette and illustrations have a charming vintage quality. Available in 3 sizes: Small (4”) - $14.99 Medium (6”) - $19.99 Large (8”) - $24.99
I would love to connect with you to discuss my artwork! Please feel free to email me at reneewhiteriver@shaw.ca or call 403.875.7740 Illustrations handmade in Calgary, Alberta, Canada // White River Studio © 2022 // All Rights Reserved
whiteriverdesignstudio.com on Instagram @whiteriverartstudio