Michael Rios
C OV E R A RT I S T S P O T LIG H T
M
PHOTOS MIKE ROSATI
ichael V. Rios is a native of Oakland,
the Mission District famous, and his effort to “beautify the place
California, born on December 10th, 1947.
I live in” brought him national attention.
While in his sophomore year at Oakland’s
It was inevitable that Michael Rios and Carlos Santana would
Fremont High School, Michael’s artistic
come together, but it wasn’t until 1986 that these two supreme
talents caught the attention of his teachers,
artists really took notice of each other. Celebrating the 20th
and he received a scholarship to the prestigious San Francisco
anniversary of Santana, Rios created the mural Inspire To
Academy of Art College, which he attended from 1964 to 1966.
Aspire, located on South Van Ness and 22nd Streets. Musical
Upon graduation from the Academy, Michael worked as an
heroes, icons, and symbols common to those who lived in the
illustrator for the famous San Francisco men’s clothier, Roos
Mission are represented in this creation that spans three
Atkins. Rios then opened his own commercial art and graphics
buildings. It was the inspiration for what became a beautiful
studio in North Beach (the Italian neighborhood of San
friendship and a long, artistic collaboration between the
Francisco). He also created children’s books, billboards, Fuller/
musician and the painter.
O’Brien paint ads, and other “high-end” commercial art. It wasn’t
Michael’s work for Carlos Santana has included concert
long before this thriving young commercial artist became one of
backdrops, custom clothing designs, guitars, and several
the hottest prospects in San Francisco’s advertising world. This
record album covers, including the Grammy Award-winning
next period of his life found Michael as the creative partner in
“Supernatural.” Michael’s commissioned artwork has appeared
Union Street’s “Winston, Rios & Brown.”
on several recordings, including Grammy Award Winner Poncho
In the seventies, Michael became proficient in numerous mediums, from acrylics to watercolors. After returning from an
Sanchez’s “Latin Spirits” and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Steve Winwood’s “About Time.”
extensive trip to Europe, he found his way to the Mission District
Michael Rios has created original artwork for such clients as
(the Hispanic neighborhood of San Francisco). Rios began taking
the Latin Recording Academy, the Mars Family, the Andre Agassi
an active interest in his new environment. His years of creating
Foundation, Sony Signatures, LP Percussion, and AGInteractive.
billboards were a natural transition for his new “mission in the
Today, Michael Rios’ work continues to cross boundaries and is
Mission.” Rios created some of the first large murals that made
highly regarded for its power, vision, and color.
FALL 2 021
