Erico Ortiz: November 2013

Friday, November 15, 2013

What's Inspiring?

Whether it's from a mountain top or a bridge or an airplane window, the view is always something to behold, something that leaves us in awe of all that is around us. It can take one's breath away or fill it with melancholy. -Erico

"From Above" (acrylic on canvas, 6"x6") Nov 2013

"Just Passing Through" (acrylic on canvas, 6"x6") Nov 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wood Paintings...

I find it interesting to see what a flat piece of wood can lead a person to create. The challenge was to use something less traditional as my painting surface. I chose several 12"x24" pieces of wood and saturated them with a variety of water colors. In one case, I found that the watercolors effectively turned this into a surprising piece of art and created the mountain landscape seen here.

"Mountain View" (watercolor on wood, 12"x24") Nov 2013

The second piece took on something more when I began to add dabs of acrylic paint over the watercolor. It wasn't at all what I intended to create, but became another sort of landscape, a skyline. I can't help but ask: Is this a city in flames, perhaps? -Erico

"Skyline" (watercolor & acrylics on wood, 12"x24") Nov 2013

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Lifeline...

"Lifeline" (acrylic on wood, 12"x24") Nov 2013

The ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the highs and lows.... they all make for beautiful and painful and joyful and sorrowful memories. We each have one lifeline, inspired by those occasions that fill our soul and our heart. Its connection with other lifelines is art. As a result of its display in Sheboygan for the Holiday Show & Sale, this piece has generated such a wide variety of responses because of its similarity to sound waves and a heartbeat. One person asked about the possibility of having it printed on a t-shirt, which prompted others to say that they would love to purchase one. So t-shirts are on their way, as well as greeting cards. Wearable and usable art--what a great idea! -Erico

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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