Collection: Susan Rios Artist Biography and Art Gallery Collection

Susan Rios is an American artist Born on February 16, 1950 in Terre Haute, Indiana, but was raised and continues to reside in the Los Angeles area. A professional artist for more than 25 years, largely self-taught, Susan’s artistic potential was apparent even as a child. Her love of the outdoors inspired her to begin drawing scenes from nature, where Susan Rios continues find her inspiration in the gentle hearted beauty of everyday life. Her natural talent was recognized early on and she won an art scholarship to California State University, Northridge. Upon graduating, she began working for an advertising agency and later became a floral designer. Susan Rios soon discovered that blending flowers was similar to mixing colors on a palette.

Susan Rios has the ability to evoke familiar feelings through her paintings which is the hallmark of her work. A nationally renowned artist, she works with a palette of soft, warm colors, inviting viewers to step into a world where one tranquil moment can last an eternity. Susan’s surroundings are reminiscent of the images she paints. Working from her home-based studio in Glendale, Ca, many aspects of her world are subjects in her paintings - daughter Olivia, granddaughter Rosie, her cats and countless collectibles. A painter of feelings and emotions, She creates familiar scenes that exude peace, harmony and romance. Images of cozy interiors, lush floral gardens and soothing seashores uplift the senses and the spirit. When painting, she devotes herself to one image at a time. The close relationship she develops with each painting radiates from the canvas, evoking a sense of emotional closeness and intimacy that distinguishes her work from other contemporary artists.

Susan Rios prefers working with acrylics as her medium because they dry quickly, allowing her to catch a little moment in time and then share it with others.To this day, flowers are an ever-present motif in many of her paintings, as are other "favorite things" - wicker chairs, love seats draped with afghans, intricate bits of lace, china cups and teapots. “Flowers were really my first love. Their three-dimensional beauty and color have influenced everything I have done since.” This influence can be seen in her unique artwork, which does not ring true of any particular artistic style; instead, Rios blends realism and impressionism to her own personal techniques, creating something novel that appeals to all kinds of people. “No heart is so hard that it doesn’t respond to flowers,” Rios explained. Her warmth and gentle also touch countless people because her creations depict “the private times. They’re the details that people remember … My paintings are about places and times when the important things are the relationships you have with your family and dear friends.”The timeless, enduring beauty of her work continues to garner attention from art enthusiasts, young and old alike. The emotional impact of her paintings however, is the most important element. As an artist, she says, that is her true reward. Susan Rios has also illustrated a number of books for Harvest House Publishers, created and wrote Designer Scrapbooks by Susan Rios, and her most recent book is Mini Teatimes, for Harvest House. "The Art of Susan Rios" was published in 1988, and "Susan Rios - A Brush With Romance", was published in 2008. 

The Artwork of Susan Rios has attracted the attention of many noted collectors worldwide, as well as celebrities, who have added her paintings to their private collection such as Jane Seymour, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Dern, Priscilla Presley, Phyllis George, Ann Gillian, Sandy Duncan, Shelley Fabres, Andre Agassi, Mr. & Mrs. Brian Wilson and Mr. & Mrs. Walter Mathau, and Patty Duke Astin, among countless others. Susan Rios is an active participant in causes that touch her heart. She devotedly supports charities and nationwide organizations, including the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Saddleback Community Outreach (Orange County), Taylor Family Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House of Orange County.