Artwork by Michael D Rieger
Creating art is a process of discovering connections and relationships.
Every piece tells a story.
Using a multimedia approach, I explore stories, form and function.
In addition to my own works, I create custom pieces to help individuals, organizations and businesses share their stories in creative ways and create meaningful connections.
Exploring Connections
I pursue images and stories through different media. My projects often start with a picture, that might become…
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An etching - accentuating a certain tone or mood.
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An oil pastel - making the image larger, brighter and bolder.
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Or a mosaic or a carved tile - where the image becomes three-dimensional.
Form and Function
Art needs to be part of every day life, not set apart just for special occasions.
I create pieces designed for daily use – from mugs that keep your coffee warm and cups that keep your beer cold, to mosaics that will last outdoors,
and vibrant drawings that won't fade. Works of art need to work.
Custom Creations
I enjoy collaborating with people to create custom pieces that help tell their stories. From dishes designed to meet your daily needs, to an etching, carved tile, or oil pastel, based on a family photograph – let’s talk about what we can create together.
Recent Collaborations
The Atticus Project
Sacramento Waldorf School
During the early days of the pandemic, my son – then two and a half – started to join me in the studio. He asked me to make "critters" out of clay. After I worked on them for a couple of minutes he would take over – adjusting the legs, or the head, or the whole animal. Then he would make sure each one ate, rested, and played with its friends. A particular favorite was Atticus, the llama who we visit at the Sacramento Waldorf School farm.
We shared some of these little critters with friends at the school. They wanted to share with their friends. Lapis Studio created nearly 400 Atticus critters for the school – each one unique, hand-made with love and care. At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, each family at the school received an Atticus figure to honor the commitment they made to reimagining the school during this difficult year.
Convention Gifts
American Express Corporate Events
When American Express Corporate Events was helping Zurich Insurance plan a convention in Denver, they wanted to give each participant something special to show their appreciation. They wanted these gifts to be beautiful and local - specific to Denver in some way.
Lapis Studio collaborated with them to create custom vases, each one hand-thrown, with glazing that matched the company's colors and the company logo stamped on the bottom.
Mugs and Expresso Cups
Leven Deli
Everything that Leven Deli has to offer is hand crafted and high quality – and that even includes the dishes. Leven partnered with Lapis Studio to create custom mugs, espresso cups and saucers for the locally roasted coffee and espresso they serve up.
