Artists who immigrate to the United States bring more than suitcases. They carry memories of other landscapes, other languages, other ways of seeing — and those experiences quietly reshape how we understand this country. When they step outside to paint from life, plein air becomes more than a technique. It becomes a way of claiming space, of saying, I am here.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it feels like a good moment to ask: Who gets to tell the story of this place? For watercolorist Richie Vios, painting America is deeply personal. Each landscape is an expression of freedom, gratitude, and opportunity — a way of participating in the ongoing American story.
RICHIE VIOS: THE AMERICAN DREAM
Richie Vios came to the United States from the Philippines through a personal turning point: his then-wife was hired as a nurse, opening the door to a new life. Without formal academic art training, Vios carved his own path, guided by persistence and curiosity.
Through plein air events across the country, Vios came to understand how deeply Americans value culture and history through art. “By painting various locations — from rural landscapes to vibrant urban cityscapes — I developed a deeper appreciation for the beauty of this magnificent country,” he says.
Seeing American landscapes in person was transformative. “I had only seen such beautiful places on television while in the Philippines,” he recalls. “But when I visited and painted them, it was a magical experience. The vastness and beauty of this country continually inspire me.”
Plein air painting, for Vios, is both classroom and livelihood. “It’s not just about painting pretty pictures,” he says. “My work preserves beauty for future generations and allows me to pursue the things I love most while making a living. I suppose that is my version of the American Dream.”
On his travels, he’s found that certain places evoke a profound sense of home. Painting the deep South feels familiar, but Maui, Hawaii, resonates most strongly. “The people, culture, food, and laid-back lifestyle remind me of home,” he says.
Vios believes his work has become part of the American story through the collectors who live with it. “I’m honored that my paintings become part of households — conversation pieces, even family heirlooms,” he says. Quoting Thomas Jefferson’s famous line — “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Vios sees his artistic journey as proof that those ideals remain alive.
“Painting and surviving as an artist in America is one of my greatest achievements,” he says. “America is the biggest stage in the world.”
During his exclusive video course, Confident Watercolor, Richie lays out the three core skills you need to confidently create watercolor paintings.
