After many years as a successful artist and prolific sculptor of monumental and limited edition sculptures, Victor D. Riesau (1930-2023) returned full time to the easel with a passion. He brought to collectors a selection of paintings with a wide range of subjects. His art came from an understanding that there is universal truth in the natural world.

In Riesau’s paintings, these truths were not merely represented by dramatic compositions and depictions of physical form. The pictorial challenges met provided images that would have an emotional impact on the viewers. His primary focus was on elements without physical substance that prompt an often subconscious emotional response as well as a recognition of the forms and objects in the paintings.

Those metaphysical elements are unpaintable in themselves as are the likes of light, atmosphere and impressions of the seasons. They became keys to enhanced enjoyment of the artist’s work.

Vic Riesau’s fondness for the outdoors came naturally. Raised in the foothills of Southern California, he later spent summers packing into the Eastern High Sierras frequented by many of the early California artists such as Edgar Payne and others. The Southwest was also a favored subject as were the High Sierras and the central California coast, an area he frequently painted.

Riesau’s paintings and sculptures have been exhibited at galleries and exhibitions throughout the country. His paintings have been exhibited at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, San Bernardino Museum, The Carnegie Museum, The Western Heritage Museum, Pasadena Museum of California Art, The Frederick R. Wiseman Museum, The Oceanside Museum, and the Bennington Vermont Museum of Art and other public venues.

At the 100th Gold Medal Exhibition of the California Art Club he was awarded the Award of Excellence in Sculpture from Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine.