Born in Washington D.C. River’s family moved to Greece where his father’s employment with the U.N. kept them for a little over 5 years. On returning to America, moves between New Mexico, New York, and Connecticut influenced his ideas of regional and cultural diversity. A supportive atmosphere within the family fostered early development of artistic talents. Painting was the primary focus of his work, however working with Hirum Koppelman in N.Y. and Tom Piper in Oxford, U.K. brought print making into his process. His early education and talent for computers made them a tool and comparative reference. Along the way, intensive study of process included making of paints, examining fresco, secco, and various schools, methodology, and philosophies toward the creative process. The vision informing his work is of a learning path.

His work can be found in private collections throughout the world. A string of one man shows in the United States, England, France, Switzerland, and Greece came to an abrupt end in 1992. A studio fire destroyed over 400 paintings and Drawings. Recently a new period in showing started with new work. The Re-Birth group of paintings were soon followed by the Kachina series. River continues to be profoundly interested in the primitive subconscious, and myths based on reunification with nature. Tremendously prolific, River’s work pursues a path based on environmental observations and concept driven projects. Other areas of achievement include: music, poetry, writing, and movie making. An artistic concept of unified disciplines interacting to discover universal dynamics centers his most recent works.