Meet Renee Bitinas | Oil Painter, Writer & Business Builder

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

Hi Renee, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career because it was the one thing that I felt truly good at and fully connected to. Throughout my entire life, I’ve been an artist and always gained admiration for what I created whether it was drawing cartoons or bubble letters for friends or by writing little stories or dressing in a unique way. I additionally have a musical side where I’ve been into pop music and created my own album nearly ten years ago while living in Germany. I enjoy multiple forms of art, but oil painting has provided me with a means to make an income and have my own business which I’ve enjoyed building and creating a brand for myself. With my paintings, I found so many avenues for expansion whether through connecting with the community and business owners, connecting to the interior design field which I have experience in, or just connecting with collectors and art lovers who truly enjoy my work or art in general. I’ve even picked up a few art mentors along the way. The connection aspect for me is so powerful and is what keeps me going as an artist and is why I’ve pursued it. It ticks all the boxes for me because I love to help people and I want to make the world a better, more beautiful place. I’ve pursued so many creative avenues, and I’ve never regretted it. I think that sometimes you have to try out things until you find “the” thing. And for me, painting is “the thing” for me and is what I’m faithfully pursuing, happily!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m an abstract oil painter who focuses on modern compositions. I’ve sold over one hundred pieces to collectors in the US and abroad. I went to art school and majored in interior design, graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2016. While in school, I was living overseas in Europe following my military tour and I got to see so much amazing art and history that I was overflowing with inspiration. When I got back to the States, I gave painting a try on a whim. This was in 2014 and I fell in love with painting and just kept at it ever since. I owe my ability to paint modern art to my studies in art school and the art I was exposed to overseas. Because of this and my education, I’ve been given an ability to paint by assimilating what I’m drawn to and creating my own interpretation of it. I’m proud of how far I’ve come over the past ten years of painting and sticking with it and now feel excited that I have a style I love and that others love.

What sets me apart is my ability to create art with feeling and truly evoking everything I’ve experienced that brings a special moment in time for the viewer. I take pride in my ability to align my work with modernism and my ability to combine colors and use spontaneity, expressively moving the paint in a way that is harmonious and pleasing. Seeing my work in person brings such a strong emotion and connection. This gives me great joy to express myself and share it with others so they can experience this vitality and energy too. I want to uplift others and bring beauty, style and sophistication to the world.

I wouldn’t say it was easy or hard to get to where I am today, but that being an artist is innately who I am. It’s easy for me to paint because it’s just part of my innate abilities. Painting runs in my family on both sides, with my father being a painter and my great-great-grandfather on my maternal side being a well known painter from Belgium who was actually acknowledged by the King of Belgium and the Pope for his work.

Obstacles I had to overcome came in the form of self doubt and feeling art wasn’t important enough to pursue compared to other professions. I’ve learned many, many lessons about this along the way, namely that YOU have to decide what’s best for your life and create the life you want. It also takes persistence, a lot of communication, sales skills, business building and organizational skills, all the skills needed for any business or entrepreneurial pursuit is needed to be an artist as well. I happen to be great at it thanks to my experience working in sales and different jobs, gaining leadership skills from the military, and coaching programs I’ve done.

In 2020, I was chosen for a public art commission for the Woman’s Hospital of Texas in Houston. This is one accomplishment I’m very proud of! I’ve also used my interior design skills and knowledge of interiors to land a spot in the Highpoint Market showroom of Bernhardt in North Carolina as well as sold art prints on Touch of Modern.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I spent most of my time in The Woodlands while in Houston. I found it to be a clean, well laid out area with beautiful homes and neighborhoods and plentiful trees. They have a nice Market Street area with restaurants and shops. I visited some friends here and my husband and I did some traveling through the state and met some nice people along the way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My husband and I have been married for nearly 9 years and I painted my very first painting for him as a gift. He has been my muse and my inspiration. From day one, he has encouraged and supported my dreams and goals. When I decided to start focusing on art full-time, he backed me up 100%.

I also have to give a shoutout to my business developer who was someone I hired five years ago to coach me through setting up/outlining my goals and marketing/sales strategies for my art business. We worked together on a tailor-made program for 6 months and I still use what I learned then today. His coaching business is called The Dream Builder Group based out of Newport Beach, CA.

Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to a Houston interior designer who I met a few years ago. She’s very active in the arts and promotes and encourages artists above and beyond. Her and I have worked together on a very special art commission and thanks to her, I now have my artwork in the Houston area. She owns Midcity Design Group in Houston and is an exceptional designer.

Website: www.reneebitinas.com

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

Other: https://www.instagram.com/reneebitinasart/