Chanelle René
Chanelle René is a South Jersey-based painter and muralist exploring identity, belonging, and transformation through the lens of Black culture and female experience. Her installation Saints + Sinners reimagines a sacred space as an altar of light and shadow, using stained-glass textures, found objects, and shifting color to reflect on imperfection and grace. After leaving a 20-year marketing career during the pandemic, René began painting as a form of healing and self-discovery, creating portraits of Black women to reclaim visibility and space. Her work now spans from intimate portraits to large-scale public murals across South Jersey, inviting reflection, connection, and a sense of shared humanity.
Saints + Sinners
An immersive altar of light and shadow inviting reflection, transformation, and grace by artist Chanelle René.
Chanelle René’s journey to become a professional artist began later in life. Burnt out, disconnected, and simply going through the motions, she left her 20-year marketing career during the 2020 pandemic and picked up a paintbrush for the first time. As she worked through the anxiety and isolation of that time, she found herself through portraiture—painting Black women as a way to reflect her own identity in spaces where representation was lacking.
Now, as a figurative artist and muralist based in South Jersey, René’s practice is rooted in storytelling that explores female identity through the lens of Black culture, self-essence, and (re)claiming space. Her painting series ‘Grant Street Beach’ celebrates beach culture on Cape May’s historical Black beach inspired by family photographs. Through this series, she has expanded her lens to other Black beaches including Chicken Bone Beach, in Atlantic City.
In 2023, René shifted into mural work, focusing on community-engaged storytelling. She has collaborated with Atlantic City Arts Foundation on several mural projects (Jacob Lawrence and Mighty Writers), participated in past ARTeriors (Baltic Ave, The James) and 48 Blocks 2023. Her mural installations can be seen throughout South Jersey in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties.
While primarily a painter working in oils, acrylic, spray paint and mixed media, she also enjoy pushing the boundaries of art making using new materials to expand her visual storytelling. René believe public art creates meaningful connections while amplifying community voices and stories. Through canvas paintings and public art, her goal is to spark curiosity, conversation, and a sense of belonging.