Oscar Ortiz::The Art - Recently Updated Pages

My thoughts

OscarOrtiz — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:05 CDT

-“There are two sources from where you can obtain images: the outside universe or your inside universe. I prefer the latter one. Imagination prevails over reality. Everything that exists in the physical world does because it was first imagined.”

-“Drawing keeps your artistic skills sharp. It is a laboratory where you can conduct all sorts of experiments. This gained knowledge will transfer eventually to other types of more serious projects.”

-“To keep harmony and balance through out the piece I use peripheral vision while painting or drawing.”

-“Talent is just a seed. Passion is the real fuel.”

-“Draftmanship. That’s the string that holds all the great names together regardless of time or genre. DaVinci, Picasso, Van Gogh, Rockwell, Leyendecker…all great draftsmen.”

-“Please let me know when one of my paintings turns out ‘perfect’… so I can correct it.”

-“Conceptualizing is the hardest part of creating”.

-"Do not expect to know everything to start painting. Just paint. When I paint, I study."

-"It is not enough to dream being a painter, you must rather paint your dreams."

-"Organize your life. Have a set routine. If you want to be a professional, productive and successful artist, discipline is a must."

-"Techniques follow the message. I must have something to say in order to paint. Then comes simplicity: How can I make this simpler? This thinking yields to shapes, forms and spaces that allow me to explore in a creative manner. My style swings between academic pre-planning and instinctive expressive painting."

-“Me? A starving artist? Of course I am. Every morning, right before breakfast.”

-“Build up your painting like a jigsaw puzzle. Each brushstroke, line, edge, value, color must work in harmony. Consider the piece as a whole. The background is as important as your focal point. Give it proper attention. Ask yourself: How can the background help my subject looks better?”

-“Stop talking about yourself like if you were dead. Remove ‘I should’ve’ from your vocabulary. If you’re breathing you still have a chance.”

-“When your physical surroundings are clean and uncluttered, so is your mind.”

-“If you’re selling well: paint. If you’re not selling: paint more.”

-“The artist’s finances should be simple: Pay your debts upfront and sleep well, if your conscience is healthy and free of worries you’ll be able to produce good pieces.”

-"Once I painted a picture out of frustration: my worst ever. Lesson? Anger is a bad fuel for painting."

-"Not only do I expect accidents while painting... I'm counting with them."

- "Hay quien pinta por academia, buscando la perfeccion, satisfaciento la critica... con temor. Yo ando por otros lares... lo mio es pintar con sabor."

-"An excellent source of information is your local library. Borrow every art book they have available and browse them liberally. Eventually purchase those titles that you really think you can use as manuals for good."

-"Illustrators and comic book artists are usually more skilled and proficient in drawing and in the use of several mediums than most fine artists. I've learned more from illustrators how-to books than from fine artists ones."

-"Never forget that in art being called a “Maestro” just means that you’ve remained a great student in spite of your success."

-"Would you build a couple of houses before building the "real" house? A little bit of pre-planning sometimes is a smart things to do, but painting a painting before painting the painting? What is that about!? For Van Gogh's sake, it's just a painting... have some fun!"

-"If there's one artist that I could say came the closest to perfection was Norman Rockwell. He held all the marbles of art. There was nothing he couldn't master, yet he remained focused, humble, dedicated, highly productive, high quality oriented and open minded."

-"A sure sign of artistic maturity is when one fine day you find yourself painting totally free of inhibitions."

-"There's not enough red in the world."

-"Nobody can teach me how to paint like me."

-"The artists that walks around rationalizing everything deprives his art of many pleasant surprises."

-"Use as much paint as possible. How can you have fun painting without paint?"

-"Nothing should look like an after thought... ever!"

-"Create your own standard of what is 'junk', and once you do it... Don't do or sell junk!"

-"My materials? If it has the capacity of staining, transporting paint to the canvas and the ability of sticking there... is mine.

-"Look for the positive in everything... having a small and crowded studio where you have to jump over things, twist your torso while carrying a box and passing underneath your easel and doing all kind of crazy stunts keeps you in shape!"

-"With the exception of Bob Ross, I can quite honestly utter that watching a painter at work could be pretty boring."
-“Sometimes I simultaneously paint and draw a piece all the way until the end.”

-"Don't work against the grain. If you're not a delicate and meticulous painter, then you're not. If your not bold and can't can't stand painting outside the lines, don't. Discover your style and stick to it. Save yourself a lot of time and anguish: enjoy the ride."

-"I love trying crazy stuff all the time. Here's one for you: Most painters talk about "killing the white" of the canvas before starting, either using yellow ochre or red applied as a thin glaze. This is what I suggest: Go ahead and tackle your work right on the white canvas, then half way "kill the white" that remains by applying a thin glaze of a hot color. After the shock I assure you the painting will spin to places you never thought of... (hopefully not the trash can)."

-"How do I know that I'm done for the day? When I run out of clean brushes and knives and I'm too worn out to clean them and start again."

-“Negative criticism can certainly pull you down. We’re all humans. Here’s my cure: persistence. Stay the course in spite of negativism. Shrug them off, turn around and keep painting. Most critics don’t know how to create a darn thing and they go to bed full of bitterness and jealousy. They’re like hunters waiting for an innocent bird to proudly display their colorful feathers to take a shot at it. I opt for a better path: I go to bed with the satisfaction of knowing that whether somebody might or might not like my work, I’ve given it my honest best … and there’s more to come!”

-"I have faith in the human hand. I love to see crooked lines and overlapping brush strokes... it makes me smile. I can relate to that."

-"For many years I heard some painters claiming not to use black but other dark colors instead, which I did and I still do. Yet, one day I tried black: It was love at first stroke. Loved it. Black with a hint of red in it is "the" perfect black."

-"How to clean brushes: Simple. For the longest time I fought with all kind of systems. I boiled it down to this: Pour a little bit of shampoo or dish liquid detergent on the palm of your hand, scrub the brush in it, rinse & repeat if necessary, reshape the hairs and you're done. It doesn't matter what medium you are using: acrylics, oils, casein, ink... it works the same."

-"Get into the habit of painting with a mirror behind you in a slight 20 or 30 degree angle. Check your progress constantly by looking at the mirror every so often. It is the best teacher, critic and friend you can ever have with you in your studio: it doesn't lie, it doesn't interrupt you by talking while you are working and as soon as you ask for feedback it doesn't delay."

-"Take periodicals breaks from painting and take the piece to a different place from where you are working... place it in your living room, kitchen, bathroom... it will add perspective and insight to your work in progress."

-"On becoming creative and original: First, spend oodles of time and energy soaking up as much information and images as you can from all kind of sources and genres: children’s illustration, realism (actually all kind of isms), books, visiting other artists and such. Secondly, as crazy as it sounds, MAKE AN EFFORT TO DISREGARD EVERYTHING YOU’VE SEEN. As I said, yes, it sounds like almost impossible, but, give it a try. Relax, and make an effort NOT to consciously remember details of what you’ve seen. Thirdly, dive into your studio and start creating. Finally, when you’ve worked up a couple of pieces, ask yourself: “Is this me or am I copying?” If you’re not copying or producing derivatives (in other words, almost a copy), great… you’re in the right path. Anything else won’t stand the test of time. Your art should be as personal as your DNA."

Recommended Books:

-ALLA PRIMA, Everything I Know About Painting by
Richard Schmid

-Oil Painting Book: Materials and Techniques for
Today's Artist by Bill Creevy

-The New Acrylics: Complete Guide To The New
Generation Of Acrylic Paints by Rheni Tauchid

-The 5 Essentials in Every Powerful Painting by
Ramon Kelley

-Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing by
Anthony J. Ryder

-The Magic of Making It by Jack White

-Il Libro dell' Arte by Cennino D' Andrea Cennini

-The Illustrator's Bible by Rob Howard

-The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

My favorite musical groups for painting:

-ATB
-Gotan
-OceanLab
-Tiff Lacey
-Tata Box Inhibitors
-GMS
-Hideo Kobayashi
-JT Donaldson
-Maya F.S.
-Zigo
-Mettle Music
-Conjure One
-Matt Bianco
-Rivera Rotation
-Ian Van Dahl
-Vikter Duplaix
-Bebel Gilberto
-Federico Aubele
-Moodorama
-Mark Farina
-Lemongrass

Recommended nutritional supplements:

-Vibe by Eniva
-Carlson's Fish Oil
-Amino Acids

My favorite methods for fitness:

-Weight training
-Iso-Metrics
-Dancing
-Walking
-Power Calisthenics

About Oscar

OscarOrtiz — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:54:18 CDT

"It is not enough to dream being a painter, you must rather paint your dreams." ~Oscar Ortiz

Oscar Ortiz is a New York born Latin American artist that currently lives with his family in a rural suburb of North Carolina.

Following is his story.

1970’s…
His childhood memories in Puerto Rico, where he grew up, includes images of him running under a pouring rain to the local convenience store to buy from Don Serafin slices of meat wrapping paper for a cent each. The skinny boned old man would slowly rip one by one, rolled them in a scroll and tied them up with a string. Little Oscar, a rheumatic fever and heart murmur sufferer, would run home drenched but joyful to sketch super heroes cartoons in the few spared dry sheets.

As a youngster, he was requested often by his teachers to get involved in art projects for the school. He would spend hours and hours creating illustrations to be used as teaching aids. The pure joy of creating and making others happy through his paintings and drawings was what satisfied him the most. Nevertheless, the artistic creativity of the promising artist went dormant for almost thirty years…

2000’s…
In the summer of 2000 while walking with his wife downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, they decided to take a peek at a Comic Book Artists convention. As soon as they walked into the building, everything went mute for Oscar but the scratching sound of the pencils against the papers. Hundreds and hundreds of professional artists sketching left to right. He walked slowly through each booth, his heart pounding furiously. Finally, he looked at Wina to say, “I was meant for this. This is what I AM. An artist”. “Then you MUST do this”, was her stern answer. This conversation was talking place in front of the "Art Instruction Schools" booth. Mr. Ballard, a gray hair debonair gentleman, perhaps a mind reader, approached the couple to ask, “Do you draw?” “Well, I do have a couple of sketches at home” Oscar responded. Mr. Ballard and Oscar arranged to meet at his house for an evaluation of his talents. “You can certainly draw, but you’ll benefit to learn illustration techniques through the school.” Wina encouraged him to take them even though he was hesitant about the validity of learning mechanical illustrative techniques. His doubts were unfounded as each month afterwards he could see his draftsmanship abilities getting sharper and sharper.

Soon one of his illustrations made it to the local newspaper followed by a figurative realistic exhibition.
Wina had always been the pivotal hinge in his artistic career. One fine day he recalls clearly that she told him “Honey, I love your pencil drawings… but I’m sick and tired of black and white! I would like to see some colors for a change, you know. We are never going to make a living out of art unless you finally PAINT.”

Oscar had always looked at painting as a sacred terrain only available for the real gifted ones. Not anymore. His wife was right. So painting he did.
From there on Oscar took upon himself to be as educated as possible in fine art and to learn from the real professionals. This entailed visiting working artists in their studios locally and abroad, starting and keeping communication with them through emails and constantly asking technical questions. He supported this self-imposed education with the reading of hundreds of books of different mediums and subscribing to several magazines.

In only two years after actively painting with no academic training through an atelier or personal coaching Oscar was commissioned his first piece.
After that, he knew there was no going back. Several exhibitions and commissions followed that first one, selling more than 10 pieces in less than 6 months, and as the cliché goes, “the rest is history”.

As of today Oscar Ortiz is a well-respected artist that intelligently has carved a niche in the international art market. He has been praised for his mature and controlled tropical color palette. His professional outlook has positioned him as a well-sought artist that works on a one on one basis with private collectors and interior decorators.
Oscar Ortiz had finally become what he was meant to be: a distinguished Latin American fine artist.
__________________________________________________
Oscar Ortiz nace en el ano 1964 en Manhattan, Nueva York. A los cinco anos de edad su familia se traslada del Bronx, Nueva York a Caguas, Puerto Rico; donde el artista cursa estudios en la Escuela Elemental Abelardo Díaz Morales, Escuela Intermedia Aguayo Aldea y en la Escuela Superior Manuela Toro. Sus estudios universitarios en el campo de la publicidad y la educación física los lleva a cabo en la Universidad Sagrado Corazón en Santurce.

Aunque muestra dotes de su talento creativo desde niño, es en su adultez que su habilidad en el dibujo y la pintura erupcionan dando paso a un vertiginoso ascenso en su carrera artística profesional. El pintor logra establecer en corto tiempo una sólida plataforma de coleccionistas y seguidores amantes de sus creaciones.
El jíbaro es la figura principal que retratan los lienzos en su estudio, representado de diversas maneras, estilos y diferentes medios.

“Para mi el jíbaro es el arquetipo moderno del héroe boricua que tenemos que revivir. Un hombre en esencia lleno de valores bonitos que son necesarios reintegrar en la familia: un hombre serio que cuidaba de su familia, trabajador honrado que con ardua faena se ganaba el sustento, un romántico trovador que a pesar de su corta escuela no se dejaba intimidar y logro desarrollar a punta de oído y pasión la genuina música criolla. Mi afición con esta figura es dual con mi propia persona como hombre de familia que soy. Me regocija trabajar duro en mi vocación con el fin de cuidar de mi propia casa con orgullo creando pinturas que llegan al corazón de la familia puertorriqueña y que son laureadas por la cultura que logran mantener. Al igual que el jíbaro que aprendía a tocar de oído y que con pasión formulo estilos de música autóctonos a la isla, mi educación en la pintura es auto didacta producto de mucho tesón, oficio y taller. Gracias a ese quehacer fervoroso he podido desarrollar mi propio estilo distintivo: una herramienta eficaz para presentar lo que somos dondequiera que me encuentre. Es muy divertido pero a la vez satisfaciente explicar lo que es un jíbaro, un cuatro o una pava a personas que vienen de mundos distintos al de uno. De pronto uno se da cuenta de lo mucho que se ama todo lo que uno es y representa.”
Aunado a este repertorio, entre sus cuadros se encuentran otras figuras de índole mas universal pero siempre en el ámbito representativo de la figura humana como eje de su mensaje.

“El ser humano es la creación mas bella de Dios. Siempre tuve fascinación con la figura humana. Disfruto en sobremanera de jugar con ella en el canvas y recrearlas a mi modo.”
El artista disfruta de trabajar en diversas superficies como son el lienzo, la madera, papel o lozas de cerámica. A su vez en estas se presentan un sinnúmero de medios, entre ellos: óleo, alkyd, pastel, lápiz de color, carbón, guaché, acuarela, café, tinta y caseína.

Este ultimo, la caseína, aunque muy viejo en existencia; ha ido recobrando popularidad en anos recientes y el artista se encuentra a la cabeza de un puñado de artistas que hacen uso de el. A raíz de esto fue invitado por la revista canadiense “Art Review” para colaborar con una de sus imágenes y dar explicaciones técnicas de su método de brocha seca.
Ano tras ano el grupo de admiradores del arte caribeno de Oscar Ortiz continua aumentado, uniéndose tanto celebridades internacionales como figuras reconocidas del patio.

Isabel Allende, afamada escritora chilena y poseedora de una de sus piezas, expresa que las pinturas del artista son “Absolutamente bellas!” Alfonso Arana, maestro puertorriqueño de la pintura, exclamo de Oscar Ortiz: “Tienes mucho talento. Me recuerdas a mi amigo Pablo (Picasso). Tu futuro en el arte será grande.”

Michael Payne, reconocido decorador de interiores británico y presentador del programa televisivo “Designing for the sexes” de la cadena estadounidense HGTV, dijo “Estoy sumamente impresionado con tus trabajos. Son extremadamente creativos y únicos, y me encanta tu uso de colores”.
Las piezas del artista fusionan el uso económico de líneas con una paleta cromática distintiva por sus contrastes de temperaturas que junto a sus imágenes poéticas despiertan en el observador una sensación de paz y sosiego. Como explico cierta admiradora luego de contemplar sus creaciones: “Tus pinturas me pusieron en un buen estado de animo por el resto del día”.

Aunque en la actualidad el artista reside en una zona rural de Carolina del Norte junto a su esposa Wina y sus dos hijos Nitshell y Oscar-Giovanni, en su estudio se anida un entero universo de alegría caribena y entre brochazos de pinturas se pueden escuchar mazurcas, seises y danzas como trasfondo de música inspiradora. Al ritmo de la música jíbara el artista pinta y sus canvas nos transportan al ayer de nuestras raíces.
Puerto Rico vive en el corazón de Oscar Ortiz y Oscar Ortiz pinta para Puerto Rico.

EXHIBITIONS: Hartz-Witsen Gallery, Charlotte, NC, 2002 Group exhibition

Pura Vidas Gallery, Atlanta, NC, 2004 Group exhibition Talley Green Gallery, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Solo show

Festival LatinoAmericano, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Solo show Queens College, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Group exhibition

Afro American Center, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Group exhibition Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Group exhibition

Spirit Square Arts Center, Charlotte, NC, 2004 Group exhibition Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte, NC, 2005 Group exhibition

Gallery L, Main Library, Charlotte, NC, 2005 Group exhibition

Java Rose Gallery, Charlotte, NC, 2005 Group exhibition Union County Monroe Public Libray, Monroe, NC, 2005 Group Exhibition

Union County West Regional Library, Indian Trail, NC, 2005 Solo Show Festival Latinoamericano, Charlotte, NC, 2005 Solo Show

Hartz-Witsen Gallery, Charlotte, NC, 2006 Group exhibition Union County Monroe Public Libray, Monroe, NC, 2006 Solo Show

Marshville Public Library, Marshville, NC Group Exhibition 2006 Waxhaw Public Library, Waxhaw, NC Solo Show 2006

Eight Legs Gallery ,Waxhaw, NC Group Show 2006 Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC Solo Show 2006

Union County Arts Council, Monroe, NC Group Show 2007

Lois Edwards Public Library, Marshville, NC Group Show 2007

Monroe Public Library, Monroe, NC Group Show 2007

Monroe Art Walk, Monroe, NC Group Show 2007

The Alcove Gallery, Monroe, NC Group Show 2008

Waxhaw Public Library, Waxhaw, NC Solo Show 2008

Monroe Art Walk, Monroe, NC Group Show 2008

Art House Gallery, Charlotte, NC Solo Show 2008

The Alcove Gallery, Monroe, NC Solo Show 2008

GALLERIES REPRESENTING THE ARTIST: Angel Soto Gallery, Caguas, Puerto Rico

Artestudio Ocasio Gallery, Caguas, Puerto Rico

PUBLICATIONS:

Creative Loafing, Charlotte, NC, illustration La Noticia, Charlotte, NC, press release

Mi Gente, Charlotte, NC, press release, 2005, 2006 Boricua.com Magazine, NY, press release

Que pasa, Charlotte, NC, press release Art Avenue magazine, Canada, article

The Journal Enquirer, NC, press release 2005, 2006
The Illustrator, feature article and cover 2006
CORPORATE CLIENTS:

2005 Puerto Rican Professional Association of South Florida Business Guide, FL, cover illustration

Fundacion Puertorriquena de Wisconsin y el Equipo Del Projecto de La Danza en Milwaukee, WI, promotional illustration Esmaco Printers, PR, fully illustrated 2005 promotional calendar

Club Lector de Puerto Rico, educational coloring book

Artist Statement:

"My work is happy, colorful and spontaneous. It is strongly defined by the drawing of the subject obviously reflecting my love for draftsmanship. The presence of bold, big figures in bright complimentary colors has become my trademark, even though I do tackle several styles and themes in a random pattern to keep me on my toes. I paint in oil, alkyd, acrylics, casein, gouache, colored pencil and combination. I pick the medium as I judge the piece dictates. Usually I start with a sketch inspired by whatever catches my attention, either from the inside or external universe… my daughter playing the clarinet, my son reclining in the sofa while daydreaming, my wife working in the yard, me listening to baroque, salsa, jazz or swing music or it could be just the plain need to create. I transfer the image into the canvas or paper usually by free hand drawing, this allows me to alter or edit the image as I draw it again. It forces me to practice more, which I love. After this I do an under painting that maps for me values and colors in very light washes. I’ll keep intensifying these washes into more opaque colors that eventually will lead me into a high gear state of mind and from there on is total absorption. I try to keep my palette as simple as possible. I divide it into what I call high and low notes for each of the basic colors and a few neutrals. Usually I like to paint pretty fast before I loose my inspiration, preferably in one session or alla prima. It is not my goal to invent something new or come up with complicated techniques. There’s nothing new under the sun. I’m just me because that’s all I can be. What my art looks like, compare too or falls into what kind of category is for the critics to define. My job is to paint the best that I can and having tons of fun in the process. I hope you enjoy seeing my artwork as much as I enjoy painting them for you."

Latin American/Puerto Rican Art

OscarOrtiz — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:25:05 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Original Availables

OscarOrtiz — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:25:07 CDT

Originals Available

Giclee Prints

OscarOrtiz — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:21:54 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

News

OscarOrtiz — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:19:17 CDT

Current Events:

Bridgeman Art Library: License Agreement with Oscar Ortiz
Oscar Ortiz Puerto Rican Artwork Reaches International Pinnacle

Bridgeman Art Library, the most prestigious worldwide commercial picture library in the art licensing business since 1972, has invited Oscar Ortiz to become the first Puerto Rican painter to be added into their contemporary artists catalog.
Bridgeman Art Library will be licensing the reproduction and copyright of Oscar Ortiz images through their offices in London, New York, Paris and Berlin and via their global network of representatives.

Oscar Ortiz images will be available for immediate use by the international market in the area of publishing, media, advertising, design and others.

Thomas Haggerty, spokesperson for Bridgman Art Library explains: “We feel Oscar’s work has a wonderful vibrancy to it that will appeal to a wide audience. Puerto Rican art in general has been neglected for far too long. Bridgeman felt it was only right to take the proper steps in covering that void by licensing the beautiful artwork of Oscar Ortiz.”

We take this opportunity to thank all our collectors and friends for their wonderful support through the years. You have been the fuel behind our continuous effort to keep producing paintings that satisfy your exquisite taste.

If you would like to obtain the newsletter announcing the release of Oscar Ortiz as a Bridgeman Art Library new artist, please contact Bridgeman Art Library via their website: www.bridgeman.co.uk or via phone: 212-828-1238. You have the option to get it online as a PDF file or a hardcopy can be mailed to your home/office.

Please feel free to forward this communication to any party, either company or individual who may be interested in the licensing of Oscar Ortiz images.

Solo show
Location: Waxhaw
Solo show exhibition in the Waxhaw Public Library, Waxhaw, NC during the months of February and March 2008

Solo Show
Location: Marshville, NC
Solo Show in the Marshville Public Library during the month of May 2008

Children Art Workshop
Location: Monroe
Oscar Ortiz will be conducting a basic art workshop for 10 kids, ages 9-12 along with fellow artist Luis Valerio during the celebration of Dia de los ninos/Dia de los libros in the Monroe Public Library in Monroe, NC. April 26, 2008.

Latinos Artists Exhibition
Location: Monroe
Group Show in the Union County Public Library, Monroe, NC

Downtown Monroe Art Walk
Location: Monroe, NC

Como pinta... Oscar Ortiz
Location: Monroe, NC
Oscar Ortiz will be conducting a two hour seminar/demonstration about his art in the Monroe Public Library on May 17, 2008 from 2PM-4PM.

Art House Exhibition
Location: 3103 Cullman Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206
Event Dates: 5/1/2008 - 5/30/2008
Oscar returns to the Charlotte art circle with a solo show at the upbeat NoDa Art Section of the vibrant city. Come and meet Oscar on Friday, May 2 at 6 PM.

Links

OscarOrtiz — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:17:17 CDT

Alfredo Ocasio Master Painter
www.artestudiocasio.com

Amaury Diaz Contemporary Puerto Rican Artist
http://www.amaurydiaz.com/links.htm

AMIEN: Art Materials Information and Education Net
www.amien.org

Art Instruction Schools
www.artists-ais.com

Bridgeman Art Library
www.bridgeman.co.uk/

Carlos Serbia: Elegant Abstract Works
www.carlosserbia.com

Carmenza Villa Sanint, floral paintings
http://data.fineartstudioonline.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=5502

Celeste Martinez: Beauty meets Photography
www.cmfoto.com

David R. Darrow: A Timeless Painter
darrowart.com

El Proyecto del Cuatro Puertorriqueno
www.cuatro-pr.org

Elizabeth Baez: Puerto Rican Painter
www.baezfineart.com

Hispanic Services in Union County Public Library
www.union.lib.nc.us

John Molnar Paintings
JohnMolnarPaintings.Com

La mejor radio salsera del internet
www.brisatropical.com

Los Balcones de San Juan
members.aol.com/ednj/index.html

Luis Valerio... Art from the heart!
http://luisvalerioart.blogspot.com/

Nellie Escalante Puerto Rican Arts Educator
www.nelarte.com

Obed Gómez Contemporary Puerto Rican Artist
www.obedart.com

Oscar's artwork is photographed by Dan Ormsby
http://danormsby.com/index.html

Un pedacito de Puerto Rico en la red!
www.tiendaboricua.com

What they say...

OscarOrtiz — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:15:11 CDT

"I'm fascinated with your art work."

"Your work is beautiful!" -Isabel Allende, Latin American world wide acclaimed novelist

"I love your beautiful art pieces!"-Maria Elena Salinas, international journalist from Univision.

"I am most impressed with your works. They are extremely creative and unique, and I love your use of color. Congratulations!" -Michael Payne, TV Star from "Designing For The Sexes" TV Show

"Wonderful website and pictures Oscar. It looks like your dream is becoming a reality. Congratulations, and continued success!" -Steve Beckta, from TV Show “Opening Soon”

"Your art is absolutely beautiful. Your ability to render in so many diverse styles reminds me of my friend Pablo (Picasso). You will have a bright future in art." -Alfonso Arana (1927-2005), internationally acclaimed Puerto Rican painter.

"Wonderful work! It has immediate emotional impact. Casein is not the easiest medium to master, but you seem to have no problem with it. Cheers, and keep painting, you've got talent!- John Molnar, worldwide authority on Casein paintings, painter.

"Your painting is wonderful!!!! I love the colors and composition. It reminds me of some of the southwest art seen in Santa Fe. Your work is good, and will only get even better." - Dr.Bill Renzulli

"My favorite is 'Mi negrita y yo...'. But they're all great. We'd love to have you exhibit at Pura Vida. Hector really liked the still life piece you sent as well 'Las dos y media'. (And he usually doesn't like still lifes at all!)" -Leslie & Hector Santiago, Pura Vida Rest. & Gallery owners, GA,

"Me encanta tu arte!!! Me encanto El Gallo y a mi esposa le gusta Los Nenes y el Bodegon. Tu arte es hermoso, me encanta tu estilo y tu uso de colores. Te deseo mucho exito." -Obed Gomez, pintor e ilustrador puertorriqueno, Florida.

"I like it very much...te felicito! You capture the essence of our Carribean way of life and you have a wonderful distict style about it...I love your originality...most artist today copy from everyone else why bother..the test to a true artist and creative genius is coming up with one's own way of _expression..y tu lo tienes mi pana!!!!" -Antonio Brocolli Porto, Puerto Rican painter & illustrator,

"Your work and website are absolutely fabulous! One day I know your works will be displayed in the finest of museums beside the likes of Rafael Tufiño and Carmelo Sobrino. I feel very privileged to own an incredible piece of your work, which I display proudly." - Alicia Jones, NC

"What a wonderful site and a wonderful story! Oscar, your work is beautiful." -Alison Kuehn, NY

"Visitamos tu website y quedamos muy impresionados con tu trabajo!" -William Cumpiano, Proyecto del Cuatro Puertorriqueno, Cuatro-pr.org

"I visited your page and was very impressed with your work. I would like to feature you as our Artist of the Month on our Webpage and monthly

publication." -Ivonne Figueroa, Editor of Elboricua.com

"To see a gifted individual realize his purpose and passion in life is a rare and wondrous thing! Oscar, the gift of your artistry to the world is truly inspirational! The Bible tells us to invest our God-given talents, and it's clear that you are doing just that! It has also been said that what you give to others will be returned manyfold. I look forward to seeing you (and all of humanity) benefit from the investment you've made!" -Mary Hale Anderson, NC

"I like your work very much. What a wonderful story about how you found your true passion." -Nellie Escalante-Dumberger, ArteBoricua Editor for EL BORICUA.com

"Hello, Oscar I'm fascinated with your art work. Simple but rich at the same time. It put me in a very good mood for the rest of the day. Your story is very inspirational. My favorite collections Puerto Rico and Caribbean rythm. Arte Puertorriqueño en su maxima expresion. Keep up the good work, I know you will go far. I hope you decide to make an illustration book, it will be fantastic. God Bless". ~Marisol Acevedo, Chatham, New Jersey

“Wow Oscar! Astonishing! Every piece of art is extremely unpredictable and possesses an eye-catching color palette. As you know, it is breadfruit (“pana”) season here in Puerto Rico. “Trova de la Pana” is my favorite, so far. It’s very folkloric yet possess a unique contemporary twist. Keep up the outstanding work! Josean Rodríguez – A long time friend – Caguas, PR.”

"Oscar, I received the shipment today! I don't have enough words to describe how I feel. Your work is beautiful. I am a very visual and textile person, I started feeling the pieces with my hands as soon as I opened each piece. It felt fantastic! I immediately hung the painting. Thank you for being such a great artist and representing the Latino Culture!" -Ruth D. Gonzalez, NY, USA

"Estimado Oscar. Las dos piezas llegaron ayer tarde en excelentes condiciones. No te imaginas lo enamorado que estoy de tu trabajo artistico. Te enviare fotos despues que esten enmarcadas ambas piezas. La verdad es que me va a ser muy dificil separarme de "Jibaro Encendio", la pieza que compre para enviarle a mi hermano en P.R. Bueno, espero volver hacer negocio contigo pronto. Recibe un abrazo de tu nuevo cliente y amigo." -Nestor Morales, Fla.

"I love your work -- it makes me feel like I am home when ever I see it (I am very far away -- in Minnesota!). I am saving up so I can purchase additional pieces!" -Bernice Arias-Sather, MN

"Considero que su trabajo es extraordinario. Realmente es contundente e impactante su conceptualización visual. Me encantaria llevar su plástica a los niños de las escuelas de Puerto Rico. Soy el Director del CLUB LECTOR PUERTO RICO, que tiene como propósito el fomentar la lectura en niños y en adultos. El arte siempre ha ido de la mano con la escritura. Es por esto que me encantaría tener el privilegio de conocerlo." -Alberto Ivan Cotto, PR

"Tu pintura es muy lograda, creo que tienes excelente academia. Tienes "aché" como decimos en Cuba."-Pedro Assef, periodista del rotativo "Mi Gente", NC

"He entrado en su dirección y he podido comprobar el rico colorido de su pintura, así como la variedad de los temas que afronta. Le doy mi más cordial enhorabuena por su obra y le invito a seguir en esa ínea tan rica en color y textura. Desde Zaragoza, en España con todo mi afecto."-Manuel Monterde, Profesor de Diseno, Arte y Pintura, Barcelona, Espana

"Muchas gracias por ser tan atento con quiénes nos sinteresamos por su arte...es espectacular."-Zuleima Burgos, PR

"Oscar: Tu trabajo me impresionó.Soy maestra de Arte en una escuela elemental del Viejo San Juan.Me alegra que gente como tu haga la diferencia. Tu obra aníma a cualquiera a practicar y desarrollar las habilidades o talentos que muchas veces por falta de tiempo no desarrollamos.Sigue adelante y exitos."-Carmen I. Altagracia, Puerto Rico.

"Dios bendiga tu talento. Estoy con la boca abierta por el artwork que he visto en tu website."-Herbert Ortiz, Florida

"I checked out your website and wow!What a talent you have! Beautiful work that you should be absolutely proud and confident of! I love your style. One piece that struck me was your 'Belleza Hermetica'. What a beautiful feel to all your artwork!"- Stephanie Varone, pop-rock artist, stephanievarone.com.

"Mr. Ortiz, We just wanted to thank you again for the painting. It has arrived and we are amazed at how it looks even better in real life. The texture and colors are awesome. Thank you once again for sharing your beautiful gift with our family! We will treasure it forever". -Steve, Valerie, and Antonio Giovanni, Florida.

"Oscar, the paintings you have created are amazing." - Luis Bido, Florida

"You're art is really cool. I'm doing my spanish artist project on you and presenting to my class. I like it because it's colorful and beach like. Keep painting." -Mia, student

"You have always been such an enthusiastic learner. I have never met you, but we’re friend. I have always been honored by your questions, and humbled by your energetic enthusiam. I hope readers of my blog will visit your site and see your beautiful work. Your work is uniquely you, and beautiful."- David Darrow, Fine Artist & Illustrator.

“We feel Oscar’s work has a wonderful vibrancy to it that will appeal to a wide audience. Puerto Rican art in general has been neglected for far too long. Bridgeman felt it was only right to take the proper steps in covering that void by licensing the beautiful artwork of Oscar Ortiz.” -Thomas Haggerty, Bridgeman Art Library

"Hi Oscar! I just got home and opened [the package]. Wow! "El Jardin de Annabelle" is more beautiful in person than I could have ever imagined. God bless your hands and may you continue to create such inspiration through your work." ~ Michael and Mildred Roberts; Fla, USA

"I was so excited to have received my two Giclee prints. As the wrapping fell away to expose "Fantasia Boricua" I was taken by surprise. The print was fantastic. The colors were phenomenal and muy brilloso! I fell in love with this print the first time I saw it at the website and I fell in love with the print once again. For me, it represents what a beautiful, strong and sensual woman is -- the complete opposite of today's standards of the starved, waifish looking girls. The second print, "Amanacer en Borinquen" is a special picture for me. When I initially saw it, it reminded me of my abuelito (who had passed); but not in likeness. It was the embodiment of who my grandfather was -- a proud Jibaro who worked the sugar cane fields and loved the land. It was as if I had specially commissioned this piece. The colors are vibrant and the attention to the plants growing was amazing as atested to by my father picking out what was being grown! All in all, I am simply amazed at how wonderful these prints look. They look like originals." -Luz Maria Perez, Chicago

"Dear Oscar, thank you bringing your work here, I do appreciate it and it was wonderful meeting you, too. It is not often I get to put a face and personality with the art. I love both of the pieces; I keep walking out of the dining area and returning just for the sensation of seeing Solo Aquí actually on our wall. Cabo D’Armas I may end up getting framed, as you said, to set it off. Right now I’m enjoying it as I first fell for it. I was like a kid in a candy store. Again, thank you for your time and talent, and also for making it possible for me to obtain two wonderful pieces. You are very kind." ~Martha Selby, NC

"The package came today. The print is stunning. Bravado Alla Prima is a beautiful print that I will admire for many years to come, as will my friends and relatives who no doubt will reminisce on their childhoods in Puerto Rico." ~Manuel Burgos, NY

"Love your work! Congratulations on pursuing your life's dream." ~Anggie Oliver Gely, US

"I visited your site and was very impressed. You truly are an Artist!"
~Ed Corney, Mr. Universe, Masters Olympia Bodybuilding Champion

"Te quiero felicitar por la majestuosidad de tu obra, es fantástica. Me han gustado mucho tus obras... Monica e Inmutable... me cautivaron. La temática me encanta y tiene mucha relación con la vida en nuestros paises. Te felicito nuevamente. Exitos y prosperidad te deseo mi amigo. Siento que es un gran artista." ~Dr. Severino Rey, patologo

"Hi Oscar, Ann and I love "El Gallo". Thank you for allowing us to 'adopt it'.
~Tim & Ann Young, Charlotte, NC

"I just love your work. You have an incredible imagination for color that really sets you apart from the crowd. Your form is also very fluid and musical. adding that to the smogasbord of innovative colors schemes puts you in a class by yourself. I am very very impressed with your latest work "Cuatro en grande". I think you really have come into your own and seem to have reached a new level of confidence and dare I say bravado! Bravo my friend! Keep up the great work!" ~Stephen Boetius, NC

"Your paintings are beautiful!" ~Boyer Coe, Mr. Universe, Mr. International Bodybuilding Champion.