Pop artist Reza's paintings of chocolate candy bars and fudge-drizzled cake as well as vivid florals of tulips and roses are on display at First Sterling Bank of Osceola County through Feb. 28.

The bank, 1001 Buenaventura Blvd., has filled its lobby and conference rooms with the vibrant, larger than-life acrylic paintings. "Chocolates and Flowers" can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and next Friday.

The Persian-born Reza (pronounced REHZ-ah, Reza) immigrated to the United States in 1971 and moved to Palm Beach, in 1985.

Greg Leach, president of First-Sterling Bank, invited the artist to present a month long exhibit at his bank.

"The works are so colorful, and the customers have been commenting very favorably," Leach said.

Reza has been fascinated with American culture since childhood, happily nibbling American candies and sketching American movie stars.

Pop art, in which items popularized by mass media show up on canvas or other surfaces, emerged in the 1960s. The soup can art of Andy Warhol is. a familiar example of pop art.

Americans don't realize the awesome significance that Western culture holds in other parts of the world, Reza said.

During a recent trip to El Salvador, Reza delighted people of all ages and economic backgrounds with his gifts of chocolate bars.

"Rich or poor, the sight of that little candy bar thrills people," Reza said.

The artist is proud of his adopted country, fond of American people and grateful for the creative freedom he has found here. But Reza is frustrated and saddened by the United States' economic struggles.

"The Fire is Burning" is the title of Reza's next series of paintings, still in its conceptual stage, which will reflect his thoughts about the economy.

"I'd like to see this country get back on its feet and get going," Reza said. "People have to work two jobs just to pay the mortgage, and they can't spend any time with their families."

Reza's family sent him to college in the United States to study engineering. But tuition increases forced Reza to drop out of school, opening the door for him to pursue his interest in art. Within 10 years, Reza owned a graphics art business in Washington, D.C.

Seven years ago, Reza left the business world and moved south to devote himself to painting full time.

Reza calls Florida a paradise but is more influenced by American culture in general than his tropical, surroundings.

"I function better in warm weather, " Reza said.

Reza says America is a great place to be an artist, and he is more successful here than he could ever be anywhere else.

Though he praises the creative freedom he works in, Reza would like to see the growth of a broader base of interest in the visual arts.

"Art is not bad news and bad news is what gets publicized," Reza said.

The recent cutbacks in government funding for the arts haven't helped, he said.

"Food becomes more essential than art," Reza said.

Even when the art is a Mounds bar that looks good enough to eat.