Relocation

Although currently on a ‘relocation’ theme – placing animals that were evicted from their natural environment in unnatural settings – this artist would love to illustrate a children’s book or start a new series of benefit art exhibitions.

- Renee Treml

I was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (USA) in 1974. These days I live in the Brisbane suburb of Yeronga. I moved to Brisbane in December 2007 with my husband Eric, who is a marine biologist at the University of Queensland.

I have a small studio below our home that is actually a converted garage space. I work in the studio at least three days a week. I also work three days a week as a research assistant in the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management at the University of Queensland.

I have always been involved in art classes, starting from when I was a young child. While at University, I decided to study ecology and environmental science rather than fine art. Throughout this time, I continued enrolling in art classes both at university and at local art centres.

After several years of working as a remote sensing scientist for the US government, I decided to leave the sciences and begin studying scientific illustration. I completed a professional certificate in botanical illustration in 2004 (from the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill, NC, USA). This focused study helped me realise I was interested in creating fine art and illustrations.

Over the past several years, I have continued enrolling in art classes and workshops to help me grow and learn as an artist. I believe I had some of the best art teachers and mentors (and a supportive arts community) while I was studying art in North Carolina. I am finding a similar community of artists in Brisbane and I look forward to having that supportive network again.