Daily Inspiration: Meet Renee Torres

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Torres.

Hi Renee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Mojave Art was founded by myself in 2019 as an online store to showcase unique gallery quality fine art prints and photography, as well as design objects, by contemporary women artists and designers.

I’ve worked as a sales executive for various design showrooms in West Hollywood during 2016-2019 and worked exclusively with interior designer and architects on their various residential and commercial projects. I began to connect other artist friends to my designer clientele during this time, and an idea began to formulate of having a platform to introduce artists to the interior design industry. After my solo photography show at the Knoll Design Shop in West Hollywood in 2019, I had the opportunity to showcase my work to the interior design clientele shopping at the showroom. As commissions and custom projects began rolling in from interior design firms, the business grew organically from there.

During the shelter-in-place mandates of 2020, I began to hone in the overall vision of Mojave Art, with a clear focus on supporting women designers and artists. My idea of creative entrepreneurship is to focus on growing support for a collective of creatives instead of one individual.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! I had a knee injury I’m still recovering from in 2019-2020, and it forced me to take time off of work at the showroom I was employed at. It was very discouraging, as my business was starting to flourish, and I had to take a break from Los Angeles and temporarily move to Shasta County with family to do rehabilitation. Coincidentally, during my move the pandemic broke out, and so I sheltered in place with family. During 2020, the time off of work really gave me a lot of time to reflect and dream for Mojave Art. I really believe in what I’m doing, who I’m doing it for, and so the epic struggle to birth this business vision has been worth the wait. I’m truly just getting started!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My current practice has been large scale film photography. I work with the Horizon Perfekt film camera produced by Lomography to create large scale film panoramics. I love the grainy texture and imperfections of film. I purchased it back in 2008 and have shot every placed I’ve lived in the past 13 years with it. I specifically am focusing on the desert terrains of Southern California and beach and surf spots along the Pacific Coast Highway in California. I’m a true nature enthusiast and love the exploration of new wild places in California.

Recently, I am focusing on expanding my discipline to explore different realms of design. I am in the R&D phase of developing my first line of wall murals and wallpaper. I also joined the Female Council of Design in NY in 2021 and have started a mentorship program with various furniture designers in their Mentor Match program. I hope to in the next few years, to develop a few furniture pieces that I can produce by hand and/or manufacture in Los Angeles. I have a passion for all things design and want to explore the ideas I’ve been dreaming about and sketching for years.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am currently launching a collaboration with Jeanette Abbink of Rational Beauty! This is Mojave Art’s inaugural fine art print collaboration. I encourage your readers to check out the artist profile of Jeanette here: https://www.mojaveart.net/rational-beauty.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.mojaveart.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojave_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MojaveArt/

Image Credits
3D room design by Louise Androlia. Portrait photo by Matthew Dunivan.