Even arriving to Rio makes your heart stop. Flying into Santo Dumont airport you glide over the water, the plane almost touching the water. Part of the runway is water – perfect for this city that pushes mountains through water. 

Or maybe you are driving in. Your drive through clouds twisting through mountain roads. This is one of my favorite ways to come to Rio. The air chills slightly and everything is blanketed in mist. 

Once you arrive the mountains that reach through the water provide you with landmarks. This painting is from the view from Niteroi City Park which provides dramatic views of the Bay of Guanabara and the most famous Rio landmarks. 

This was one of my favorite paintings and one of my first extra large paintings. The beautiful colors of Rio speak to my heart and I can’t wait to go back.