River, No. One – Original Abstract Acrylic Diptych on Canvas by Erin McGrath Rieke
About this Artwork
River, No. One is a two-part abstract acrylic diptych on canvas created by Erin McGrath Rieke in 2019 as part of the River Series. The work was commissioned as a birthday gift to honor the artist’s close friend and gender-violence-awareness partner, Rachel Ebeling, on the occasion of her 50th birthday.
The painting began as a live performance during Rachel’s birthday celebration, where the artist created the initial gestures and color fields in the presence of family, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate her life and work. The early marks emerged in real time, shaped by the energy of the room and the shared stories that filled the evening.
What began as spontaneous gesture and layered color later evolved into a finished diptych completed in the studio. Additional layers refined the movement and structure of the composition, allowing the work to retain the immediacy of the performance while deepening its visual narrative.
Within the River Series, the composition reflects the idea of movement and continuity. Sweeping passages of acrylic paint move across both canvases, creating a sense of current and flow that links the panels together. The surfaces suggest both turbulence and calm, echoing the emotional landscapes that shape human connection and collective purpose.
For the artist, River, No. One represents both celebration and tribute. Rachel’s lifelong commitment to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and amplifying hope for those impacted by trauma formed the emotional center of the piece. The painting reflects not only a milestone birthday but the enduring influence of a life lived with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Now part of a private collection, River, No. One remains a foundational work within the River Series, embodying themes of resilience, connection, and the powerful ways art can honor community and shared mission.
Artwork Details
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: River, No. One
Year Created: 2019
Series: River Series
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Artwork Size: 18 W x 24 H x 2 D in (each canvas)
Format: Diptych (two-panel painting)
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Movement, resilience, tribute
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Frame: Optional
Additional Information
Erin McGrath Rieke’s River Series explores the symbolism of water as a metaphor for transformation, endurance, and connection. Through expressive acrylic mark-making and layered surfaces, these works examine how moments of celebration, advocacy, and personal relationships intersect within the artist’s life and practice.
In River, No. One, the diptych format creates a visual dialogue between the two panels, suggesting both movement and continuity. The work preserves the energy of a live performance moment while expanding into a finished composition that honors friendship, community, and shared purpose.
Collecting Original Artwork
Original acrylic paintings by Erin McGrath Rieke combine expressive abstraction with narrative depth and emotional resonance. River, No. One reflects the artist’s ability to translate meaningful life moments into layered visual compositions that connect personal experience with broader themes of resilience and advocacy.
River, No. One – Original Abstract Acrylic Diptych on Canvas by Erin McGrath Rieke
About this Artwork
River, No. One is a two-part abstract acrylic diptych on canvas created by Erin McGrath Rieke in 2019 as part of the River Series. The work was commissioned as a birthday gift to honor the artist’s close friend and gender-violence-awareness partner, Rachel Ebeling, on the occasion of her 50th birthday.
The painting began as a live performance during Rachel’s birthday celebration, where the artist created the initial gestures and color fields in the presence of family, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate her life and work. The early marks emerged in real time, shaped by the energy of the room and the shared stories that filled the evening.
What began as spontaneous gesture and layered color later evolved into a finished diptych completed in the studio. Additional layers refined the movement and structure of the composition, allowing the work to retain the immediacy of the performance while deepening its visual narrative.
Within the River Series, the composition reflects the idea of movement and continuity. Sweeping passages of acrylic paint move across both canvases, creating a sense of current and flow that links the panels together. The surfaces suggest both turbulence and calm, echoing the emotional landscapes that shape human connection and collective purpose.
For the artist, River, No. One represents both celebration and tribute. Rachel’s lifelong commitment to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and amplifying hope for those impacted by trauma formed the emotional center of the piece. The painting reflects not only a milestone birthday but the enduring influence of a life lived with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Now part of a private collection, River, No. One remains a foundational work within the River Series, embodying themes of resilience, connection, and the powerful ways art can honor community and shared mission.
Artwork Details
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: River, No. One
Year Created: 2019
Series: River Series
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Artwork Size: 18 W x 24 H x 2 D in (each canvas)
Format: Diptych (two-panel painting)
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Movement, resilience, tribute
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Frame: Optional
Additional Information
Erin McGrath Rieke’s River Series explores the symbolism of water as a metaphor for transformation, endurance, and connection. Through expressive acrylic mark-making and layered surfaces, these works examine how moments of celebration, advocacy, and personal relationships intersect within the artist’s life and practice.
In River, No. One, the diptych format creates a visual dialogue between the two panels, suggesting both movement and continuity. The work preserves the energy of a live performance moment while expanding into a finished composition that honors friendship, community, and shared purpose.
Collecting Original Artwork
Original acrylic paintings by Erin McGrath Rieke combine expressive abstraction with narrative depth and emotional resonance. River, No. One reflects the artist’s ability to translate meaningful life moments into layered visual compositions that connect personal experience with broader themes of resilience and advocacy.
