Meet Michael Rieger | Photographer, Artist, Arts producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Rieger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In starting my own business, was my passion of the arts and my community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creating art is an ongoing process of discovering connections and relationships. Every piece tells a story.
My work as a photographer has led me to a wide variety of stories. As a historical photographer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) I have documented the aftermath of dozens of disasters, including 9-11 World Trade Centers, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and many wildfires, floods, and tornados. I have also worked internationally, using the lens to capture moments of community building and artistic expression throughout the world, including Southeast Asia, Egypt, and Europe. I love street photography, and have a camera with me at all times.

As an artist, I pursue these images and stories through different media. My projects often start with a picture. I might transform the image into an etching, accentuating a certain tone or mood. Or I might use a photograph as a starting point for an oil pastel, making the image larger, brighter and bolder. Or it might lend itself to a mosaic or a carved tile, where the image becomes three-dimensional.

I enjoy collaborating with people to create custom pieces that help tell their stories. Please contact me if you are interested in custom work. If you want custom dishes we’ll discuss what shapes and colors feel right to you. We can create tiles based on a photograph of a particular place or object. Or maybe you want an oil pastel for that one wall or a mosaic table-top for the patio – together we can figure out the details, both aesthetic and technical.

My work has been shown in many galleries, festivals and museums through out the United States. My photos have been published all over the world and are part of the Smithsonian’s Photographic History Collection Archives.As long as I can remember I have love to create art and hope I always will. Let me create a work of art for you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver museum district, (three amazing museums, The Kirkland, The Denver Art Museum and Clifford stills. then lunch or dinner at Leven Deli

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Denver chalk art and eventful production,( Renee is amazing)

Website: lapisstudiodenver.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldrieger/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rieger-39207819/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MDRieger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FearNoArtDenver