Oil on Canvas; Acrylic on Plexi
Carl Ortman
About The Artist
I live my dreams -- my dream as a painter, world explorer, and seeker of knowledge. My artistic vision represents the whole of my life experiences. I'm a consummate student of art and life. I love to learn and hone my craft painting with friends, competing in plein air events, and in my travels, I love to pop into art schools for a quick session to explore new techniques. I've studied in New York City, Ohio; Colorado, Arizona, California, London, Argentina, Greece, Mexico, and Florence, Italy. In 2025, I'm excited to add a few more destinations to my calendar.
My journey is about creating a lifestyle of sustainable play, focusing on things I get to do versus the "have to do's" that steal my creative mojo. Speaking of mojo, painting in my studio is my least favorite place to paint. When I'm working on a landscape, for example, I seek moody skies to play in the colors of a piece. But, you may also find me on the side of a road in the Rocky Mountains finishing up a ballerina, fly fishermen, or even flowers. After a day of painting, you may find me sketching the patrons and staff at a neighborhood pub.
I do love an audience, too; I've painted live at a Jack Johnson concert, a New Orleans Jazz festival, on stage at a fashion show, rodeos, weddings, chamber music concerts, corporate events, and even during dinner service of a celebrity chef in Park City, UT.
For my first time at La Quinta Art Celebration, I'll exhibit new works depicting fall in the Rockies, adorable kids, beautiful women, florals, wintry mountains, and abstracts. In addition to oil on canvas, I'll also exhibit a few contemporary pieces on plexiglass.
I'm excited to engage in conversations with attendees and artists to expand my global perspective and find new sources of inspiration.