Eye Of The Storm...

"Eye Of The Storm"  (acrylic on canvas, 36x36")  Aug 2013

We've been spared in the midwest from some of the stormy weather that engulfs our planet.  But those tornadoes and hurricanes and tropical storms felt around the globe take their toll on the land and water that surrounds and nurtures us.  The earth feels their impact.  So do the inhabitants.  Nothing is spared, nothing is gained, nothing is really lost.  It's all recycled and balanced once again.  -Erico

Inspirational Travel...

This past week led me to the wonderfully colorful landscape of Door County, where I was inspired by fields of green and willowy landscapes and quaint art-filled towns and flowing water.  Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek....all of these little towns in the Wisconsin peninsula provided me with the tranquility, the air, the music, the art, the sounds...of peace.  It was splendid travel, filled with blessings.  -Erico

"Rain Down" (acrylic on canvas, 16x20") July 2013

New Territory...

"Facing the Demons"  (acrylic, 8x10")  2013

"Strike a Pose"  (acrylic, 8x10")  2013

I've been thinking quite a bit about the different ways in which one can represent ideas, translating them from the mind's eye to a painted canvas.  These two pieces have received mixed reviews, not in terms of their presentation, but rather in terms of their content or perceived messages.  They are unsettling images.  They are translations from within.  -Erico  

Full Spectrum: A Celebration of Art Through Color...

Three Milwaukee Riverwest artists have joined forces to present a vivid exhibit in full color at The Jazz Gallery.  Brian Hibbard (http://hibbard.daportfolio.com/), Todd Mrozinski (http://toddmrozinski.com/) and Erico Ortiz (http://www.ericosgallery.blogspot.com/), all members of the Riverwest Artists Association, have assembled a featured members exhibit that highlights their use of color in their paintings.  Rather than singling out each artist's work and artistic style, their works are intermingled and displayed as a spectrum of color across the room, which prompted the title of the exhibit: FULL SPECTRUM.  From abstract to street art to landscapes to textile paintings, this exhibit offers the viewers an inspired display and a range of subject matter.  -Erico

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.

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

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