Erico Ortiz

Artist's Statement

In 1998, a study leave immersed me in art education courses at UW-Milwaukee. While this was not the traditional studio coursework that a budding artist would undertake, I learned the value of critical thinking and problem-solving as they relate to educating students in the arts. After years of rather humble artistic endeavors, my retirement from the Milwaukee Public Schools in 2011 provided the opportunity I needed to explore visual arts as never before. I began to paint! I realized that inspiration was all around me—in people and places, sights and sounds, music and movies.

As part of my creative process, I determine the idea for a project. Then the first challenge is the mixing and blending of colors to achieve a certain effect on a canvas, a challenge I truly enjoy. Sometimes that selection process takes on a life of its own... and I'm forced to abandon my initial intention to give way to a new creative thought. Still honing skills and techniques, I am often thrilled (and sometimes pleasantly surprised!) by the resulting color compositions and the overall product.

What began as a hobby has become a way of viewing the world and expressing my mind’s eye on canvas. If you choose to view these pages, you will see that I am still finding my way.

Erico Ortiz

Gallery Exhibits

--Sep 11-Oct 5, 2020 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Member Show

--Aug 28-Sep 24, 2020, "I Forgot My Glasses" Exhibit with The Martini Girls, Art*Bar (Honorable Mention Award for Warrior Princess)

--Sep 23-Oct 25, 2019 Riverwest Artists Association Members Show

--Aug 30-Sep 30, 2019 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Member Show

--Aug 23-Sep 24, 2019, "The Thin Black Line" Exhibit with The Martini Girls, Art*Bar

--Mar 7-17, 2019, "The Cemetery Club" Display, West Allis Players

--Aug 31-Sep 30, 2018 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Member Show

--Nov 3-Dec 31, 2017 Art*Bar Mini Art Show & Sale

--Sep 9-Oct 7, 2017 Riverwest Artists Association Members Show

--Sep 1-30, 2017 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Member Show

--Jun 30-Jul 28, 2017 Sheboygan Visual Artists 10th Anniversary Exhibit

--Dec 2-18, 2016 "Holiday Art Show & Sale" Sheboygan Visual Artists

--Nov 4-Dec 31, 2016 Art*Bar Mini Art Show & Sale

--Oct 28-Nov 18, 2016 "When Darkness Falls" Sheboygan Visual Artists

--Sep 9-Oct 5, 2016 Riverwest Artists Association Members Show

--Sep 2016 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Members Show

--May-Jun, 2016 "Recycled/Upcycled" Inspiration Studios

--Apr-May, 2016 "Motherhood Outloud" Exhibit, Next Act Theatre

--Mar-May, 2016 Watercolor Exhibit, Blicks@MIAD

--Nov 3-Dec 31, 2015 Art*Bar Mini-Art Show & Sale

--Sep 26-27, 2015 Riverwest ArtWalk 2015, Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts, Milwaukee

--Jul 2-Aug 31, 2015 "Water Matters" Wauwatosa Library Exhibit

--Apr 17-18, 2015 "Water Matters" Gallery Night/Day, Italian Community Center

--Apr 2-3, 2015 UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Gallery:

Spiritual Imagery in America: 20th Century Art & Craft

--Feb 27-Mar 15 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Friays: Wine & Art Event

--Dec 6, 2014-Jan 7, 2015 Inspiration Studios, West Allis: Village Playhouse Members Show

--Nov 10-Dec 31, 2014 Art*Bar Mini-Art Show/Sale

--Oct 4-Nov 2, 2014 Inspiration Studios, West Allis: Resting Places (Collaborative exhibit with photographer, Mary Wagner, of West Bend)

--Sep 8-Oct 5, 2014 Glas, Sheboygan: Solo Exhibit

--Sep 5-Oct 4, 2014 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Annual Members Show

--July 25, 2014 Sheboygan Visual Artists Small Works Project

--May 30, 2014 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Friday: Portraits

--Mar 28-Apr 13, 2014 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Friday: Making It Speak: Poets & Artists in Cahoots!

--Jan 31-Feb 16, 2014 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Friday: Wine & Art Go Together!

--Nov 22-Dec 20, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists Holiday Show & Sale

--Oct 5-6, 2013 Riverwest ArtWalk 2013, Milwaukee

--Sep 27-Oct 20, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Fridays: NEW MEMBERS SHOW

--Sep 6-Oct 5, 2013 Walkers Point Center for the Arts Annual Members Show

--Aug 23, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists SmallWorks Project

--Jul 26-Aug 15, 2013, Gallery Night/Day, Milwaukee Village Church: MIDSUMMER DREAMING IN THE CITY

--Jul 26-Aug 31, 2013 Gallery Night/Day, Theatre Unchained, Milwaukee: WORKS OF A RANDOM NATURE

--Jun 11-Jul 9, 2013 Milwaukee Riverwest Artists Featured Member: FULL SPECTRUM (collaborative exhibit with Todd Mrozinski and Brian Hibbard)

--May 31-Jun 1, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists Final Friday: SCAPES

--May 18, 2013 Art Jamboree, Milwaukee Grand Ave Mall

--Apr 26-May 11, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists 6th Annual Juried Membership Show----Honorable Mention Award received for: "Empty Bowl"

--Mar 9, 2013 Cedarburg Arts in The Burbs Fair

--Feb 22-23, 2013 Sheboygan Visual Artists February Final Friday: ABSTRACTION

--Jan 25, 2013 Art Jamboree, Milwaukee Downtown Hilton

--Jan 18-Feb 17, 2013 Gallery Night/Day, Milwaukee Village Church: RISK TAKERS & STORY TELLERS

--Nov 2012-May 2013 O'Lydias Pub Gallery Display, Milwaukee RANDOM WORKS

--Oct 6-7, 2012 Milwaukee Riverwest Artists ArtWalk 2012: ERICO'S GALLERY (First exhibit!)