Anyone who has followed the career of Rino Gonzalez knows that this young man is destined to be successful in the field of fine art. Born in Manila, Republic of Philippines in 1962, Gonzalez was the third of nine children of Lex Gonzalez, Jr. and his wife, Purificación.

Not yet forty years old, Gonzalez follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, his father, and four aunts and uncles -- all talented professional artists. Rino, however, goes one step further because, while they are all known for their devotion to realism, his talent lies in the area of trompe l'oeil (fool-the-eye or optical illusion).

His early schooling was in Manila, but after arriving in the United States at age sixteen, Gonzalez finished high school in California. He then went on to earn many awards for his amazingly detailed and realistic depictions of books, musical instruments, fruit, and everyday objects; his still-life paintings draw you in and make you want to reach out and touch them. To fully appreciate a Rino Gonzalez painting, you must study it for several minutes to absorb the intricate detail that sets a mood and tells a story.

Cosmopolitan Fine Arts is proud to present the art of Rino Gonzalez.