Mario Riva

Mario was born in Lecco in 1953. Since the age of 13 he became passionate about painting and began to practice reproducing some works of the impressionists Van Gogh and Cezanne.
At the age of 18, his working life in the restaurant business required him to travel around Europe, suspending his artistic activity for a long time and after 10 years, once he returned permanently to Lecco he rediscovered his passion for painting.
As a self taught artist, he began to reproduce famous works, then discovered German Expressionism and began exhibiting in local art markets.
In 1985 he met the master Walter Visioli who spurred him to create personal works and to participate in the Bormio County Prize where he was present for several years obtaining only consolation prizes, but the opportumity to deal with professional artists made him grow and mature artistically.