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Full information about the artist |
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First Name | Roberto |
Last Name | Ortiz |
Born | 1960-08-18 |
Country | Puerto Rico |
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Biography | |
I was born in New Orleans Louisiana on August 18, 1960 the youngest of three brothers. As a child my mother kept me occupied with coloring books, building block and clay while she attended to her housework. This was my first experience with creativity and I was hooked. My first experience with oil painting came when I was fifteen when my mother bought me paint by numbers set which proved to be a both challenging and inspiring.
Not long after, my high school art teacher, Bill Taylor, saw potential in my ability and introduced me to surrealism through the art of Salvador Dali. I knew then that I wanted to pursue art and painting as a career. I attended Southeastern University in Hammond, Louisiana for my first year in college and dutifully declared my major in business in accordance with my fathers plan. At mid-semester I changed my major to Fine Arts without first consulting with my father. I transferred to University of New Orleans and continued on my path to a degree in Fine Arts which I received in 1983 with my despondent father in attendance.
In 1986 I moved to New York City where I lived for ten years. There I learned more of the business side of the art world by attending a commercial art school, working in art galleries and eventually opening my own frame shop in Soho. In 1996 I moved to Rincon, Puerto Rico where I opened the Secret Garden Art Gallery. After three years I closed the gallery to return to New Orleans, having been gone for thirteen years. Back in New Orleans I met Jonathan Ferrara who now represents me at his gallery. I opened my own antique restoration business along with a frame shop co-owned by Jonathan Ferrara. The year of 2005 brought Hurricane Katrina which completely destroyed my antique restoration business and severely crippled my framing business. In December, 2006 I returned to Puerto Rico to manage the guesthouse business owned by my brothers and I and also to reopen the Secret Garden Art Gallery where I continue to paint and sell art. |
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All Artwork of Artist |
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I was born in New Orleans Louisiana on August 18, 1960 the youngest of three brothers. As a child my mother kept me occupied with coloring books, building block and clay while she... |
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One Shell Square by Ortiz |
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Heart of the Jungle by Ortiz |
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see in full album |
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