Born and raised in Niagara, René is always involved in a creative activity. She has taken courses at Niagara College, The Pumphouse Arts Centre in Niagara on the Lake, Paverpol classes in Toronto and Montreal. She looks for new methods to keep her work interesting and fun and works with several mediums: pastels, oils, acrylics, texture paste and fabric sculpting.

She was the owner of a Chapel Street Designs, a store specializing in promoting “Made in Niagara” art. René’s art has been displayed in local art and craft stores and markets in Niagara. She is a member of the St. Catharines Art Association and Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.