René Porter
René Porter is an artist whose practice is fueled by the interplay of light, nature, and the human form. With a background rooted in both traditional and contemporary approaches, Porter creates work that reaches beyond surface appearance to reveal the intrinsic beauty of each subject and the subtleties of their environment.
Throughout her career, Porter has developed a body of work defined by sensitivity, emotional depth, and a strong sense of presence. Each painting or drawing carries its own distinct character, reflecting her belief that a successful work should resonate with life and feeling while bearing a fragment of her own essence.
Porter’s most recent series, Slay the Canvas, places drag artists within the realm of fine art portraiture. These large-scale works celebrate drag not as spectacle, but as a profound act of identity, self-expression, and transformation. Through detailed brushwork and classical technique, Porter positions drag within the long tradition of painted portraiture, highlighting its power to challenge conventions and expand cultural narratives.
By merging classical methods with contemporary subject matter, Porter elevates drag as a vital cultural and artistic force. Her portraits invite viewers to look beyond judgment and see the resilience, beauty, and magic that drag embodies. Ultimately, her work serves as both celebration and statement—an affirmation of diversity, empowerment, and the transformative freedom to exist authentically.
"The Real Thing. Zero Calories."
oil on birch panel, 12 x 16 in., c. 2025
"The Real Thing"
oil on birch panel, 12 x 16 in., c. 2025
EXHIBITIONS
November 1- November 30, 2025
Cicada Fine Art
Palm Springs, CA
JURIED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
September 14- November 10, 2024
"Expanding Horizons"
American Women Artists
Loveland Museum, Loveland CO
April 30, 2024
American Women Artists
"2024 Annual Online Juried Show"
September 18, 2023
American Women Artists
"2023 Annual Online Juried Show"
May 20-21, 2022
"The Beverly Hills Art Show"
Beverly Hills, CA
May 27, 2020
American Women Artists
"Making Their Mark"
Booth Western Art Museum Exhibition
Cartersville, GA
October 16-17, 2016
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
May 21-22, 2016
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
October 17-18, 2015
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
May 16-17, 2015
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
October 18-19, 2014
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
May 17-18, 2014
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
November 9, 2013
“The Retreat’s 5th Annual Juried Art Show”
Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
Sag Harbor, NY
October 5, 2013
“Elements of Art: Mini Size Show”
Brandon Gallery
Fallbrook, CA
September 21, 2013
“Women Painting Women” Exhibition
Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
Sag Harbor, NY
September 2007
American Women Artists National Exhibition
LaKAE Gallery
Scottsdale, AZ
May 2007
Central Coast National Fine Art Exhibition Morro Bay Art Association
Morro Bay, CA
September 2007
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition
Waterhouse Gallery
Santa Barbara, CA
September 2007
Art Expo Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay and Resort
Las Vegas, NV
March 2007
Art Expo New York
Jacob K. Javits Center
New York, NY
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Illustration
Columbus College of Art & Design
Columbus, OH
AWARDS & HONORS
2014
“Best of Show”
May 17- 18, 2014
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
2014
1st Place/ “Drawing & Printmaking” category
May 17- 18, 2014
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
2014
1st Place/ “Drawing & Printmaking” category
October 18- 19, 2014
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
2015
2nd Place/ “Drawing & Printmaking” category
May 16- 17, 2015
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
2015
3rd Place/ “Drawing & Printmaking” category
October 17- 18, 2015
“The Beverly Hills Art Show”
Beverly Hills, CA
2013
“Strokes of Genius” winning entry
Volume 6 “Value / Lights and Darks”
2013
Brandon Award of Excellence
Brandon Gallery, Fallbrook, CA
2007
Award of Merit, American Women Artists National Exhibition
LaKAE Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2007
Best of Show Award
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition
Waterhouse Gallery
Santa Barbara, CA
AFFILIATIONS
Women United Art Movement
(2025-current)
Oil Painters of America (OPA)
Associate Member
(2006- current)
American Women Artists (AWA)
Associate With Distinction Member
(2006- current)
PRESS
GED Guide to Pride
November 2025
GED Magazine
February 2025
"Strokes of Genius Volume 6"
Fine Art Connoisseur
February 2008 (Vol. 5 Issue 1)
Southwest Art Magazine
November 2007
Art Business News
September 2007