Erico Ortiz

Thursday, April 16, 2015

"Water Matters...and Other Matters"

I am pleased to have an exhibit of my newest collection of paintings at the Itaian Community Center during Spring Gallery Night & Day in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. I am proud of this collection because it has taken me out of my comfort zone over the past few months of preparation. The title has two distinct meanings....well, maybe it's threefold...in that these paintings are predominantly watercolor paintings, That's a first for me! And the subject matter of many of them is water...and tropical waters...and water frolics. But other subject matter crept into this collection of paintings. I hope others will take to it kindly.

Also, I was asked earlier this month to contribute to a group exhibit entitled Spiritual Imagery in America: 20th Century Art and Craft at the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Gallery.

This exhibit opened in conjunction with the theatrical production of The Trial of Judas Iscariot and remains on display during the mont of April.

Spring has been busy! -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

Gallery Exhibits