On Friday, Venezuelan-born painter Richard Merchan will open "Lounge," a new exhibit at the Griffin Gallery in Edina.

Merchan moved from La Concepción, Venezuela, to Miami when he was 14. After graduating from high school in Florida, he attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and began his career as a commercial illustrator. In the mid-1980s, he started focusing more on his painting, which is influenced by post-impressionism, fauvism and expressionism.

Merchan, now based in San Francisco, prefers narratives depicting sensuous figures, portraits, interiors and floral compositions, leaning toward vibrant colors.

The opening of "Lounge" marks the fourth straight year Merchan has been featured at the Griffin Gallery. He will be present at a reception at the gallery to celebrate the opening of his exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.