Susan Rios - Biography and Artwork of the Painter and Printmaker

Introducing Susan Rios - A Talented Painter and Printmaker

Susan Rios is an acclaimed contemporary artist known for her unique painting and printmaking style. Based in California, Rios has made a name for herself by creating vibrant, imaginative artworks filled with whimsy and nostalgia. Her paintings and prints often depict young girls in colorful, fantastical settings that evoke a sense of wonder and innocence. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Susan Rios' background, artistic style and favored themes that make her one of the most distinctive voices in the world of contemporary art today.

Early Artistic Development

Born in 1953 in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles, Susan Rios demonstrated artistic talent and creativity from a young age. She took private art lessons as a child and had her first solo exhibition when she was just 16 years old. After high school, Rios studied at Pasadena City College where she took courses in illustration and design. She then continued her studies in art at California State University Long Beach. After college, Rios began a career in advertising and design but continued painting in her spare time. She took time off from commercial art in the 1980s to focus exclusively on pursuing her passion for fine art painting and printmaking.

Signature Style and Recurring Themes

Rios began developing her signature style of painting in the early 1990s. Her artworks blend elements of magical realism, surrealism and symbolism. Recurring themes in her pieces include young girls dressed in vintage clothing, flowers, birds and other animals like rabbits and deer. Settings are often dreamlike landscapes filled with flowers and trees or interior domestic spaces. The color palettes she uses are vibrant and saturated. Figures are painted with precise, almost illustrative detail that gives them a hyper-realistic quality. Yet the whimsical settings they inhabit have a fantastical, otherworldly appeal.

Rios frequently portrays the world from a child’s point of view in her artworks. Her young female figures appear curious, thoughtful and introspective as they explore imaginary environments. Works like “Alice in the Garden” and “The Dreamer” capture a sense of innocence and wonder lost in adulthood. There is a timeless, nostalgic quality to Rios’ paintings that evoke joyful childhood memories and dreams. The underlying themes touch on growth, self-discovery, hope and harmony with nature.

Printmaking

In addition to painting, Rios is an accomplished printmaker who enjoys experimenting with different printmaking techniques. She often creates series of limited edition prints using methods like etching, woodblock, screen printing, lithography and giclee prints. Her print series “The Bluebird of Happiness” depicts a little girl holding a bluebird along with floral designs. “The Tree of Life” series symbolizes growth and the seasons through decorative tree imagery. Like her paintings, Rios' prints have her signature aesthetic but also showcase her technical skills and versatility as a printmaker.

Exhibitions and Collections

Rios has exhibited her work extensively across the United States and internationally. Notable galleries and museums that have featured her work include the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the R.W. Norton Art Gallery and the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center. She has had over 80 solo exhibitions at galleries across the country. Her work can be found in numerous public and private collections including the permanent collections of the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum and the Phippen Museum of Western Art.

Susan Rios continues to create new works at her studio in Southern California. She derives inspiration from the natural landscapes around her home as well as vivid memories from her childhood. Rios also teaches printmaking workshops to share her passion and techniques with new generations of artists. Over her long and prolific career, Susan Rios has crafted a truly unique artistic voice through her painting and printmaking. Her masterful technical skills combined with her imaginative, nostalgic themes have made her one of the most beloved contemporary artists working today.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Susan Rios

Susan Rios is one of the most prominent artists working today. Known for her distinctive painting and printmaking style, Rios' artworks are filled with magic, symbolism, and personal connections. Though she has been exhibited widely, there are some little known facts about this acclaimed artist.

1. She had no formal fine arts training

It may be surprising to learn Susan Rios is largely self-taught as an artist. While she studied advertising design and illustration in college, she did not attend arts schools for fine arts. She honed her skills in painting and printmaking later through continuous practice and experimentation.

2. Her father created the first bubble gum

Susan Rios' father Curtiss Rios was an inventor who held patents for products like plastic toy handcuffs and the first bubble gum. He created a gum called Blibber-Blubber in the 1940s which was a proto-bubble gum. So the artist comes from a family heritage of innovation and creativity.

3. She learned printmaking from books

Rios learned how to do printmaking such as etching and lithography initially by reading books and manuals. She studied printmaking techniques on her own before taking some workshops to hone her skills. Her perseverance and discipline as an autodidact paid off in her mastery of diverse printmaking methods.

4. She published her own books

Not only does Rios create art, she has authored and published several art books. Titles include Picture Imperfect which provides a personal retrospective of her work and Under theInfluence of Women and Girls which examines themes of feminine creativity and empowerment.

5. She has worked in TV and film

Early in her art career, Rios worked in the art departments of television shows and films. Some projects she contributed to include The Golden Girls sitcom and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. So even before focusing on gallery art, Rios was immersed in the visual world.

Though already an acclaimed artist, these insights give us a deeper understanding of Susan Rios' background. Her eclectic interests and determination help explain how she developed such a fresh, distinctive painting and printmaking style. Rios demonstrates that creativity and originality can spring from many sources to create unique art.

Influences and Evolution of Susan Rios' Artistic Style

Over her long career, Susan Rios has cultivated a truly unique style as a painter and printmaker. However, Rios' artwork did not emerge in isolation. Like any great artist, she has been shaped by various inspirations, mentors and historical movements while also evolving her techniques over time.

Early Influences

Some of Rios' earliest influences came from the art she was exposed to as a child. She has cited Spanish painter Salvador Dalí as an early inspiration with his eccentric, surrealist imagery. Rios also grew up appreciating 19th century fairy tale illustrations by artists like Arthur Rackham. She was drawn to fantasy subjects even from a young age.

Mexican Art Traditions

Growing up in Southern California, Rios was surrounded by Mexican art and culture. She has mentioned the influence of retablos, devotional Mexican folk paintings depicting religious figures or events. Their vibrant colors and patterns can be seen echoed in some of Rios' backgrounds. Mexican indigenous arts and crafts also inspired her appreciation for handmade processes like printmaking.

Magical Realism Connections

Rios' work is often compared to magical realism painting. This style combines realistic portrayal of figures and objects with surreal or magical elements. Rios may have been exposed to magical realist works early on through artists like John Wilde and Jerry Ott. While not directly copying their approaches, she integrated some of their fantastical perspectives into her own style.

Evolution of Style

Rios' style has evolved significantly over time while retaining some core themes and techniques. Her early works often featured more realistic figures and restrained palettes. Over the decades, her colors became more vibrant and figures more stylistized. Settings shifted from domestic to more nature-based fantastical environments. Yet she continues to impart a sense of wonder and imagination within her compositions.

By exploring Rios' artistic influences, we gain better insight into the eclectic blend of styles she synthesized into her own signature aesthetic. From folk art to surrealism, she transformed traditional inspirations into a contemporary approach all her own that continues to delight art audiences.

Tips for Collecting Artworks by Susan Rios

Over the past few decades, Susan Rios has created a huge variety of stunning artworks that have made her one of today's most popular artists. For collectors interested in owning original Rios paintings or prints, here are some tips to get you started.

Decide on Medium and Size

Rios has produced paintings in media like oil, acrylic and gouache, as well as many types of prints. Consider which medium you prefer. Larger pieces make bolder statements while smaller works suit intimate areas. Measure your space and research prices for different sizes.

Buy From Reputable Sources

To ensure authenticity, buy Rios works only from reputable galleries, agents or directly from the artist if possible. Ask about provenance and documentation for any pieces you consider purchasing.

Condition and Conservation

Examine works carefully for damage like tears, stains or fading. Well-preserved pieces with rich colors will have the most long-term value. Once purchased, frame and display works on the wall under UV-filtered glass to prevent sun damage.

Series and Themes

Rios has created a number of thematic print series like “The Bluebird of Happiness” which can become collectible sets. However, even her unique paintings hold value. Whether you prefer her girls, animals, flowers or mystical scenes, pursue subjects that you most appreciate.

COAs and Documentation

Seek pieces that come with certificates of authenticity (COAs) and other paperwork from galleries verifying provenance and condition. Save all documents for resale purposes.

With proper research and care, an art collection of Susan Rios works can become a meaningful investment. Her instantly recognizable aesthetic makes her paintings and prints particularly prized on the contemporary art market.

Susan Rios has built a successful artistic career through dedication to developing her imaginative style and masterful techniques. By studying her journey as an artist, we gain inspiration to explore our own creativity. Rios demonstrates the levels of innovation possible when we devote ourselves completely to our unique vision.

FAQs

Where is Susan Rios originally from?

Susan Rios was born in 1953 in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Southern California.

What are some recurring themes in Susan Rios' artworks?

Common themes in Rios' paintings and prints include young girls in vintage clothing, flowers, animals like birds and rabbits, dreamlike landscapes, and nostalgic domestic spaces viewed from a child's perspective.

What mediums does Susan Rios work in?

Rios is an accomplished painter working in oil, acrylic, and gouache paintings. She also creates many limited edition prints using techniques like etching, woodblock printing, lithography, screen printing, and giclee.

Where has Susan Rios exhibited her artworks?

Susan Rios has shown her work extensively across the U.S. and internationally. Notable galleries and museums include the National Museum of Wildlife Art, R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, and over 80 solo exhibitions.

What are some tips for collecting Susan Rios' art?

Tips include buying from reputable sellers, examining condition carefully, seeking works with documentation like COAs, and pursuing pieces that match your preferred mediums, themes, and sizes.