Erico Ortiz: May 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Morning Glow...

"Morning Glow" (acrylic on canvas, 36x36") May 2013

This photo is a detailed close-up of the centerpiece for my latest exhibit ("Scapes") which opens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, this Friday, May 31. It is surrounded by a series of new, much smaller sun and moon paintings. Photo is courtesy of Frank Juarez.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Natural Beauty...

We are drawn to water. We are shaped by the sands of time. We are drawn toward nature's gardens and sunny meadows. Nature's beauty has its hold on us....forever! -Erico

"Lost At Sea" (acrylic on canvas, 8x10") May 2013

"Sand Sculptures" (acrylic on canvas, 8x10") May 2013

"Waves" (acrylic on canvas, 8x8") May 2013

"Floral Pond" (acrylic, 8x10") May 2013

"Golden Meadows" (acrylic on canvas, 8x10") May 2013

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

SVA Small Works Project...

"Snap, Crackle, Tops 2" (acrylic, 8x10") May 27, 2013

"Kay's Storm" (acrylic, 8x10") May 8, 2013

"Heartfelt" (acrylic, 8x10") May 3, 2013

"Experiment in Color" (acrylic, 8x10") May 23, 2013

Each year the Sheboygan Visual Artists hold an event called the Small Works Project: Sheboygan-Visual-Artists-Small-Works-Project. While its certainly a fundraiser for the organization, it's also a means of providing the opportunity to make art and own art at a very reasonable cost for anyone. Over 300 paintings, all 8x10", are displayed and those who attend the huge August exhibit purchase a $20 raffle ticket whose number identifies the painting they will take home. These are my contributions so far. -Erico

Biographical Note

Erico Ortiz was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico in 1955. He earned his undergraduate degree at Marquette University (Spanish Education) and a Masters Degree from UW-Milwaukee (Administrative Leadership). Erico taught Spanish for ten years and then became a school administrator, having worked at several Milwaukee Public Schools until retiring in 2011. He has worked with several community theatre companies, both on stage and behind the scenes, something he still enjoys today. He plays guitar and, until June 2019, could be found Sunday mornings directing the Spanish choir at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish in Milwaukee. In 2014, he opened Inspiration Studios, a small art gallery and performance venue in downtown West Allis that he owns and manages. Erico's life is all about the arts!

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