Erico Ortiz: August 2023

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Off Kilter...

"The Lean" (acrylics, 20x20")

The Martini Girls always challenge me. This piece will be part of their exhibit titled OFF KILTER at the Art*Bar with an opening on September 1, 2023. It's always fun to be challenged by a specific theme. -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

--Sep-Oct 2024 "Darkness" Exhibit w/The Rogues Artists Group, David Barnett Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

--Sep-Nov 2024 Ronald McDonald House Exhibit Wisconsin VIsual Artists, Milwaukee, WI

--Sep 2024 "From Where I Sit" Wisconsin VIsual Artists at Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI

--April-May 2024 "Susan B. Komen Fundraiser Exhibit, April Gallery Night & Day, Eagleknit Building Gallery, Milwaukee, WI

--Sep 2024 "From Where I Sit" Wisconsin VIsual Artists at Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI--Mar 1-31, 2024 "Decada" (Ten Year Anniversary Solo Exhibit), Inspiration Studios, West Allis

--Feb 2024 "Out Of Our Minds" w/The Rogues Artists Group

--Aug 30-Sep 1, 2023 "Off Kilter" Exhibit w/Martini Girls, Art*Bar (First Place Award for The Lean)

--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