From Meat-Wrapping Paper to the Mint Museum: The Artistic Journey of Oscar Ortiz
Oscar Ortiz
Oscar Ortiz’s creative journey began in the most unexpected of places: a corner store in Puerto Rico, sketching superheroes on meatwrapping paper. “I didn’t think of it as art—it was just something I had to do,” he recalls. That early, instinctive need to create would become the thread running through a life marked by resilience, reinvention, and a deep-rooted love for cultural identity.
Though art was a constant presence, Oscar’s path wasn’t linear. He stepped away from it for years before fully committing in the early 2000s. When he returned, his work carried with it a newfound decisiveness—bold lines, rich figures, and a clarity of purpose that comes from learning to trust your voice. Across all his styles, one element has remained constant: joy. Whether in vibrant acrylics or digital illustrations, his work radiates an energy rooted in heritage and humanity.
His influences are a mix of the classic and contemporary. He’s drawn to the emotional power of Norman Rockwell, the bold elegance of Augusto Marín, and the warmth and vibrancy of Candido Bidó. And he finds kinship in the graphic intensity of artists like Mike Mignola, who embrace restraint and clarity while still speaking volumes.
Oscar’s work often centers on a single subject—a figure commanding attention in stillness, inviting the viewer to lean in, wonder, and feel. “It’s not a comic panel or action shot,” he explains. “I want you to notice it from across the room, come closer, and connect with it on your own terms.”
That creative process is both intuitive and methodical. A typical studio session includes coffee, incense, and a soundtrack ranging from salsa to classical. Some pieces begin with a sketch that demands to stay unchanged; others unfold slowly over time. There’s no rigid formula—just curiosity, care, and a willingness to sit with the work.
Of course, there are moments of doubt. “I work through it,” he says. “And if that doesn’t work, I talk to my wife and son—my son is also an artist—or remember that utility bills are very motivating!” he laughs. He credits each place he’s lived with shaping his perspective: Puerto Rico gave him color, New York taught him grit, and North Carolina introduced calm and clarity.
Puerto Rico, where he was raised, pulses through every brushstroke. Color, rhythm, and memory play a central role, often surfacing when least expected —an old photo, a stranger’s face, a melody. “Art preserves what might otherwise get lost,” he says. Through his pieces, he captures the pride, resilience, and spirit of Puerto Rican culture, making sure its stories travel beyond borders and generations.
Oscar’s career has reached far beyond the studio. He’s collaborated with organizations like UNESCO and National Geographic Learning, and he’s illustrated for Arte Público Press, including the children’s book The Poet Upstairs by Judith Ortiz Cofer. His vibrant work has appeared everywhere from promotional calendars in Puerto Rico to cover art for community organizations in Wisconsin and South Florida.
His exhibition history is just as rich, with solo and group shows spanning from the Mint Museum in Charlotte to El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 in New York. A particularly meaningful show for him was Seeing Voices de Visiones Boricuas in NYC, a group exhibition that celebrated Puerto Rican identity through visual storytelling. He’s also exhibited at the University of North Carolina Museum of Art in Durham and held solo shows at The Alcove Gallery and the Marshville Museum and Cultural Center.
One especially memorable turning point was meeting Alfonso Arana, the late Mexican-Puerto Rican painter and friend of Picasso. “To be seen by someone like that, early in my journey, was unforgettable.” Other full-circle moments include joining the rosters of prestigious licensing agencies like Bridgeman Images and Art Licensing International—both of which sought him out after seeing his work.
Looking ahead, Oscar is excited about expanding into storytelling—pairing his illustrations with short stories typed on his collection of vintage typewriters. The tactile act of writing, paired with his visual style, feels like a natural next step in expressing the narratives that live inside him.
To aspiring artists, he offers grounded, no-nonsense advice: “Skip the online gurus promising fast fame. Get a job that pays the bills so you can buy time, materials, and peace of mind. Start now, before you feel ‘ready.’ Show up, keep going, and your voice will find you.”
As a member of the Guild of Charlotte Artists and the Collective Artists for Ethnic Diversity in New York, Oscar appreciates being part of communities that uplift and inspire artists at all stages. “The Guild especially has been a dynamic group, always tapped into the pulse of the Charlotte art scene.”
You can explore more of Oscar’s work at:
Website: oscarortiz.art
Instagram: @oscarortizfineart