Early Years of Renee Radell
Early years highlights. Renee Kaupiz was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1929, daughter of immigrants from Lebanon, and moved as a toddler to Detroit, Michigan. She attended Detroit’s prestigious Cass Technical High School. Declining a full scholarship to Pratt Institute in distant New York City, Radell chose Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts where she studied painting under Art School Director Sarkis Sarkisian and life drawing under Robert Diebboll.
Radell’s skill with watercolor in her early years of art school quickly translated into a consistent series of top regional prizes for watercolor techniques at art institutions, curated art shows and private art and business organizations. Local press exposure and purchase awards of her watercolor paintings followed from Detroit Institute of Arts, Walter. P. Chrylsler Museum and the Dearborn Art Institute.
(scroll down for Renee Radell Artist Bio timeline)
1929
Born Renée Katherine Kaupiz in Birmingham, Alabama, daughter of Genevieve and Elias Louis Kaupiz.
1937
Moves with family to Detroit, Michigan.
1941
The Detroit News in its youth page, on several occasions publishes her early war commentary drawings
1944
Selected by her teachers to attend a nationally acclaimed art program at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School where she graduates with highest honors.
1947
Accepts 4-year National Scholastic Art Scholarship to attend the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts (currently, College for Creative Studies). Studies painting under Sarkis Sarkasian and life drawing under Robert Diebboll.
1949
Becomes consistent prize-winning watercolorist in regional and state-wide art competitions. • Paints watercolors while traveling through Quebec, Nova Scotia and New England.
2010+ | Timeline Index | 1950s