Aztec artist's colorful acrylic portraits find appreciative audience

Farmington Daily Times
Artist Ryan Callisto works on a portrait of the Beatles in his new gallery in Aztec on Aug. 17, 2020.
Artist Ryan Callisto works on a portrait of the Beatles in his new gallery in Aztec on Aug. 17, 2020.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto's work focuses mostly on musicians, although he also does a lot of commission work in which his subjects are family members and pets.
Ryan Callisto's work focuses mostly on musicians, although he also does a lot of commission work in which his subjects are family members and pets.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto adds a detail to an acrylic portrait of the Beatles in his Aztec gallery on Aug. 17, 2020.
Ryan Callisto adds a detail to an acrylic portrait of the Beatles in his Aztec gallery on Aug. 17, 2020.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto, owner of the Moon Palace Gallery in Aztec, plans on opening his new shop this weekend.
Ryan Callisto, owner of the Moon Palace Gallery in Aztec, plans on opening his new shop this weekend.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
After spending most of his adult life working as a counselor, Ryan Callisto turned his attention to art nearly two years ago, and his career has flourished.
After spending most of his adult life working as a counselor, Ryan Callisto turned his attention to art nearly two years ago, and his career has flourished.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto compares an earlier version of a Beatles portrait he had painted to a new one he is completing in his new gallery in Aztec.
Ryan Callisto compares an earlier version of a Beatles portrait he had painted to a new one he is completing in his new gallery in Aztec.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto displays a portrait he painted of Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins in his new gallery in Aztec. Callisto's work includes portraits of musicians, iconic film characters, politicians and others.
Ryan Callisto displays a portrait he painted of Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins in his new gallery in Aztec. Callisto's work includes portraits of musicians, iconic film characters, politicians and others.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto's Moon Palace Gallery at 106 S. Main Ave. in Aztec will feature art by his wife and himself, as well as jewelry made by other family members.
Ryan Callisto's Moon Palace Gallery at 106 S. Main Ave. in Aztec will feature art by his wife and himself, as well as jewelry made by other family members.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Ryan Callisto says his success as an artist has allowed him to spend much more time with his family and provide them with everything they need.
Ryan Callisto says his success as an artist has allowed him to spend much more time with his family and provide them with everything they need.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times