art. food. nature

art

I would describe myself as an artist; a southern expressionist; being heavily influenced by my surroundings and bringing the experiences of growing up in the South, into my artwork. Since I was young, I’ve been creative. Drawing was my favorite form of art as a child, and I loved art in school. I attended a small art school in my 40’s, by odd circumstances and it changed my life. I found a true passion. I enjoy challenges… in art and life, and that has led to the style of art I am currently creating. I love God and enjoy exploring his beautiful creation in my work. Nature is a constant source of inspiration! I enjoy sharing my talents and knowledge and especially LOVE when someone connects with something I’ve created! I paint in my studio at my home. Inspiration is all around me on this property. It is my “happy place”.

food

I have been cooking since I was 12. It is truly a passion, and I enjoy sharing beautiful ingredients and recipes and pictures of the dishes I create. Do you know how many types of peppercorns there are? A Lot.  I love peppercorns. Sometimes I’m excited to share a traditional southern meal and other times, I get really fancy.

nature.

I am always in awe of the divine details found in the plants and animals I encounter. It’s a tremendous source of inspiration for my artwork. Birds and flowers, raccoons and sea turtles, oh and opossums and snakes. I love gardening and exploring and observing. I talk to the birds and other animals that cross my path. I never want to lose that love for God’s beautiful creation.

EDUCATION & WORKSHOPS
Artquest School of Art & Design
1994-96
Continuing Education/Ringling School of Art
2001-15
Brevard Art Museum 
1996-05

EXPERIENCE
Art teacher | private and group
1996 – present
Gallery President | Fifth Avenue Art Gallery
2011,2012, 2019, 2020, 2025, 2026
Gallery associate | Fifth Avenue Art Gallery
2007-present
Gallery associate | The Downstairs Gallery
1997-2006
Vice President/show chair | Strawbridge Art League
Juried Exhibition Committee | Brevard Art Museum

EXHIBITIONS & RECOGNITION

February 2018, Artist In Residence, Viera High School, Brevard County, Fl
2017 December, Solo-Exhibition, “All That Matters Is Everything”  Gallery 14, Vero Beach, Fl
2017 November 18 & 19, Featured Poster Artist Artworks of Eau Gallie, Sidewalk Art Festival
2017 October, Solo-Exhibition: Dreams and Wishes, Birds and Fishes, Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, Melbourne Florida2017-2013 Featured Artist Marine Science Center; Turtle Day, Ponce Inlet, Florida
2016 November, Award of Honor, Artworks of Eau Gallie Sidewalk Art Festival
2014 Chair, HOME charity invitational exhibition,  Fifth Avenue Art Gallery
2013 Chair, “What A Difference A Day Makes: 24 Hour Art Challenge”, Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2011 Chair, “All 4 Love” charity invitational exhibition at Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2011 Guest speaker at Brevard Art Museum Council of 100 luncheon (April)
2009 Chair, “Hopes and Dreams” invitational exhibition,  Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2008 Designed Animal Homes Exhibit, Brevard Zoo 
2008 Chair; “Give Them the Farm” invitational exhibition,  Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2008 Solo exhibition, “Road Trip, impressions of a memory” Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2007 Co-chair; “100% Pure Florida” juried exhibition,  Fifth Ave Art Gallery
2007 The Artlist.com Artist of the Month, July 
2007 For the Love of Art, etc. Brevard Museum of Art invitational show
2006 Pretty Girls and Robots, Albany, NY
2006 “For the Love of Art II” Brevard Museum of Art invitational November 
2006 “Creature Comforts” 2 -artists show, Quique Gallery Cocoa Beach, (Sept)
2006 100% Pure Florida, Fifth Avenue Art Gallery juried show September
2005 Solo-exhibit Brevard Community College/UCF joint Library
2005 Global Arts Experience, 2005 Arts Planner participant
2005 2nd Place; painting, Melbourne Fall Fine Art & Craft Festival
2003 Design animal exhibit marker, Brevard Zoo
2003 Juried Group Exhibit, Brevard Community College, Planetarium
2002 Juried Group exhibit, King Center, Melbourne, Fl
2001-03 Strawbridge Art League Juried Exhibition, Melbourne, Fl
04-06 Strawbridge Art League Juried Exhibition, Melbourne, Fl

PUBLICATIONS

2026 Canvas Rebel Article: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-renee-decator
2015 ArtAscent Magazine, 12 edition: Magnificence Theme, April 2015
2013 Turtle Day Poster & T-shirt, Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet, Fl
2011 All 4 Love book, Brevard Art Museum Press First Edition March 2011
2011 Cover Art, Charm On the Spacecoast, April 2011
2010 Cover Art, Florida Today’s, “Cultivating Arts in Brevard” special section Sept 2010
2010 Cover Art, Deland Magazine July/August 2010
2010 Poster Artist, IMAGES Festival of the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Fl Jan 2010
2010 Florida Today TGIF “The Arts” , article January 22, 2010
2009 Art Business News magazine,Novemeber 2009 image of “On the Reef”
2009 The Canvas Project V2 Encyclopedia, Art House Co-op First Edition October 09
2009 SPACES Space Coast Style & Design July/Aug 09 
feature article, “Life-affirming Strokes”2008 Orlando Home and Leisure magazine May 08
2008 “Road Trip, impressions of a memory” exhibition book
2008 Florida Today, feature article, April 30, 2008
2006 Brevard Live Magazine September 06 featured article
2006 “Our Creature Comforts” exhibition book
2003 Brevard Live Magazine January 03 featured article