One of the greatest privileges we enjoy is being welcomed by artists in their studios.  I'd like to thank Michael V. Rios for his generous spirit in welcoming me to his new studio on Sunday.  We've recently completed a framing order for Mr. Rios, of 19 original paintings on paper.

Michael's a real gentleman and has a new space out near the Noonan building.  He converted what was once a storage shed into a beautiful, light and airy painting studio.  Another artist is converting another shed into what will become an etching studio.

You can learn more about Michael V. Rios on his website.  He's well known for his cover art for Carlos Santana's album covers, with a slightly-psychedelic twist on his personal brand of visual vocabulary, which I can only describe as between surrealism, psychedelia, and organic abstraction.  Oh yes:  and one key word comes to mind:  neon.  Michael Rios's paintings have a particularly neon quality about them.

Recently he's taking a lot of inspiration from his new bayside setting, painting a lot of ships and boats in the San Francisco Bay.  He also is continuing work on a series of pieces in which boats represent transition, with the subjects riding aboard the boats, which resemble what we might think of as "arks".  Great stuff!  If you're interested in seeing more work by Michael, be sure to pay him a visit during Open Studios.

Thanks again, Michael!