Born in Vienna, Austria in 1921, Renate Druks first studied art at the Vienna Art Academy for Women and later at the Art Students League in New York City.After her formal training Ms. Druks embarked on the life adventures that would further shape her craft, taking up residence in Mexico where she spent three years of intensive self study, painting tirelessly and developing her own techniques and personal style. By 1950 Renate Druks had moved to Malibu California, then a rural strip of coastline, where she built a house and studio.Ms. Druks first major solo-artist show, at the Lane Galleries in Westwood California, opened in 1957 and brought "instant" success, and critical acclaim. Ms. Druks showed and sold her paintings exclusively at the Lane Galleries until 1965. Thereafter, Ms. Druks exhibited at several galleries in the Los Angeles area including the Image and Myth, Mascagnis, the Malibu Art and Design Gallery, and the Municipal Art Gallery in Barnsdall Park.Later, the Malibu home became the showplace where patrons and collectors gathered to view, commission and purchase Ms. Druks' work. The home also became a well known salon for avant garde artists, actors, film makers, writers and theatre personalities, like Kenneth Anger, , James Bridges, Colleen Dewhurst, , Curtis Harrington, John and Joan Houseman, Christopher Isherwood, Jack Larson, Henry Miller, and good friend Anais Nin. Ms. Nin and Ms. Druks had been friends since the famous "Come as Your Madness" masquerade ball, thrown at the Malibu home in 1953 Indeed Kenneth Anger's film "Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome" grew out of this ball. Ms. Druks acted in the film, designed makeup and assisted in the production. Later, Ms. Druks produced and directed several films of her own Including "A Painter's Journal" which showed in 18 West Coast art theatres.

[Source: Clair Oscur Gallery]