Bio
Born in Ocampo, GTO, Mexico
Lives & works in Chicago, IL
Born in Diego Rivera’s hometown of Guanajuato, Mexico in 1968. Ortiz attended Columbia College as a photography student, but a year later transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago, to study painting. Under the tutelage of Rod Carswell, Julia Fish, and Kerry James Marshall he received a BFA in Painting and Printmaking in 2001. He has since exhibited his work at the University Club of Chicago; the Evanston Art Center; National Museum of Mexican Art; the Rockford Art Museum; the Wright Museum of Art at Beloit, Wisconsin; the Painting Center, New York; James May Gallery, Wisconsin; and the Meadows Gallery at the University of Texas. Ortiz’s paintings can be found in many private and public collections throughout the United States. Ortiz was an artist-in-residence at The Cliff Dwellers Chicago in 2005.
Raúl Ortiz is a Chicago-based painter whose work is inspired by line, architectural elements, color, pattern, and nature. An active printmaker for over ten years, Ortiz's current paintings reflect his practice (from printmaking) of layering, obliterating and gradually focusing/refining an image. His compositions inform and unravel the images that spring out of his canvases as he adds to and peels away layers of paint. While recent works are decidedly less descriptive, a series of works from a few years ago mirrored Monet's water lily compositions but in Ortiz’s studies Giverny was the vegetation surrounding the Lincoln Park's north lagoon with its overhanging trees that cast light and shadow on the mirror-like waters. Born and raised in Diego Rivera's hometown of Guanajuato until age five and grew up in Chicago's Little Village, his work has always reflected a penchant for color and contrast.
Exhibitions
2024
“Teeny, Tiny, BOLD,” Roundtree Gallery, Platteville, WI (November 21, 2024 – January 11, 2025)
“Raúl Ortiz: Watercolor Works,” Sacristy Gallery, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL (November 8, 2024 – January 3, 2025)
“Small Works 2024,” Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY (November 2 – December 21, 2024)
“Raúl Ortiz: Listening to Color,” First Free Church, Chicago, IL (August 26 – November 30, 2024)
“Small Works: 46th Annual National Juried Art Exhibition,” Harper College, Palatine, IL (September 3 - October 10, 2024)
“12th Annual Art Competition,” Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL (May 17 – July 5, 2024)
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​2023
“Small Works 2023,” Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY (November 11 – December 22, 2023)
“Espectro / Spectrum,” Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, University Park, IL (October 9 – November 17, 2023)
“LatinXhibit,” The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Fayetteville, NC (September 15- October 14, 2023)
“2023 Evanston Art Center Biennial," Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL. (August 26 - October 1, 2023)
“GALEX 56,” Galesburg Community Arts Center, Galesburg, IL., Juror: Claire Ashley (April 1 - May 6, 2023)
“Object, Image, Aura,” Michelle Jones, Kim Matthews, Emily Moores, and Raúl Ortiz, James May Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
(February 17 - May 26, 2023)
“Raúl Ortiz: Manipulated Motifs,” Art Exhibition Space, Building C, Room C200, Harper College, Palatine, IL
(January 30 - March 9, 2023)
2022
“Raúl Ortiz: More is More,” McCormick House, Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL (June 17 – August 14, 2022)
“Structures, Layers & Patterns,” Group show featuring Ann Blaas, Nate Otto, Raúl Ortiz, Scott Mossman, and Mary Federowski,
Alliance Contemporary, Beverly, IL (June 17 – July 15, 2022)
“Art of Water VI,” James May Gallery, Algoma, WI
via Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/show/james-may-gallery-art-of-water-iv?sort=partner_show_position (May 1 – June 30, 2022)
“ALMA, Group exhibit with Oliva Gallery and Architectural Anarchy," Chicago, IL (March-July 2022)
“Abstraction,” The Art Center of Highland Park, Highland Park, IL, Juror: Cleveland Dean (February 18 – April 9, 2022)
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2021
“Shape of Things,” A group show featuring Scott Mossman, Lindsey Claire Newman, Raúl Ortiz, Yvette Kaiser Smith, Weiyang Gao, Dan Gamble and Hope Wang." Mu Gallery, Chicago, IL (December 3 – January 19, 2022)
“Teeny, Tiny, BOLD,” Roundtree Gallery, Platteville, WI (November 18, 2021 – February 5, 2022)
“Small Works 2021,” Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY (November 13 – December 23, 2021)
“Small but Mighty," Curators Gone Rogue at Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL (November 5, 6 & 9, 2021)
"Raul Ortiz: Color & Contrast," Marlene Deuel Gallery, Poplar Creek Public Library District, Streamwood, IL
(September 1 - October 31, 2021)
“Se son rose, fioriranno,” Salon LB, Chicago, IL (May 21 – July 16, 2021)
“9th Annual Art Competition,” Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL (May 21 – July 2, 2021)
“Raúl Ortiz: Patterns,” Side Street Studio Arts, Elgin, IL (May 7 – 29, 2021)
“Art of Water V,” James May Gallery, Algoma, WI (May 1 – July 31, 21), online via artsy:
https://www.artsy.net/show/james-may-gallery-art-of-water-v?sort=partner_show_position
"2021 Art at the Center," Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park, KS (April - May 2021)
"SYNERGY: A Group Exhibition Featuring Jan Christopher-Berkson, John Himmelfarb, Sarah Krepp, Raúl Ortiz,
and Kathy Weaver, " Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, Chicago, IL (February 25 - September 2021)
"MOMENTUM: A Group Exhibition," Springboard Arts Chicago, Chicago, IL (March 1 - May 24, 2021), https://springboardarts.com/
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2020
"76TH Rockford Midwestern Biennial," Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL (October 9, 2020 – January 31, 2021)
Juried by Jim Dempsey
“Small Works 2020,” Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY (November 7 – December 4, 2020)
"Raúl Ortiz: Pattern Play," Orland Park Public Library - Art of the Month - August 2020, Orland Park, IL (August 2020)
"Quarantine Folk, " Calico Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY., Curated by Scott Chasse & Adams Puryear (June 14 - July 19, 2020) via online
@ https://www.calicobrooklyn.com/quarantinefolk
"I Listen to Color II," Frank Juarez Gallery, Milwaukee, WI (June 6 - 30) virtual exhibition
@ https://www.fjgmke.com/i-listen-to-color-ii
"Art of Water IV," James May Gallery, Algoma, WI (May 1 - June 30, 2020), via online
@ artsy: https://www.artsy.net/show/james-may-gallery-art-of-water-iv
“Next,” Gallery Studio Oh, Chicago, IL (May – June 2020) Virtual Exhibition
@ https://www.art-studio-oh.com/next
"2020 Art at the Center," Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park, KS (April 3 - May 31)
“Raúl Ortiz: New Paintings,” Glow Exhibitions, Chicago, IL (January 10 - February 29, 2020)
“The Art of Hope,” MS Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, Mississippi State University Department of Art, Mississippi State, MS.,
John Sabraw, Curator (January 20 - February 28, 2020)
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2019
“16th Regional Juried Exhibition at the Freeport Art Museum,” Freeport Art Museum, Freeport, IL. Victor Armendariz,
Curator (November 16, 2019 – February 15, 2020)
“10 Year Anniversary Show,” Elephant Room Gallery, Chicago, IL (December 13, 2019 – January 2020)
“Small Works 2019 – Main Street Arts,” Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY (November 30, 2019 – January 3, 2020)
“Who’s Afraid of Red?” Gallery Studio Oh, Chicago, IL (November 14 – December 27, 2019)
“Rainbow Perspectives: Raúl Ortiz,” Chicago Temple Gallery, Chicago, IL (August 26 – October 31, 2019)
"Impact Color, Black and White," The Art Center Highland Park, Highland Park, IL (August 9 - October 2, 2019)
"Microcosmic," Art in City Hall, Highland Park City Hall, Highland Park, IL (June 19 - December 4, 2019)
"Inside/Outside," The Art Center Highland Park, Highland Park, IL (June 14 - August 3, 2019)
"2019 Pride Exhibition," The Blackstone Hotel Lobby, Chicago, IL (June 1 - August 2019), curated by Elephant Room
Gallery
"Art of Water III," James May Gallery, Algoma, WI (May 3 - 31, 2019)
“in Nature - Raúl Ortiz,” One River School of Art+Design -Evanston, Evanston, IL (April 2 – 28, 2019)
“GRID-locked on GRAND - Raúl Ortiz,” Ignition Project Space, Chicago, IL (April 5 – 27, 2019)
“34th Annual International Exhibition,” Meadows Gallery, the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX (January 22 –
March 8, 2019)
“Raúl Ortiz - Compositions,” Unitarian Church of Evanston, Evanston, IL (January 19 – March 2019)
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2018
“Moments in Time: Patrick DeJuilio, Raúl Ortiz and Andrea Salinas,” Studio Oh, Chicago, IL (November 15 –
December 29, 2018)
“Patterns of Nature: llze Arajs, Shar Coulson, Helen Dannelly, David Kreminski, Raúl Ortiz and Peter Van Ael,” Bridgeport
Art Center, Chicago, IL (September 21 – November 2, 2018)
“Raúl Ortiz: LANDscaped,” Lozano Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL (September 4 – November 23, 2018)
“Paint & Process: Scott Mossman and Raúl Ortiz,” The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL (July 28 – September 29, 2018)
“The Rockford Midwestern Biennial,” Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL (June 8 – September 30, 2018)
“Overlap - Kristen Neveu, Douglas Gates, Raúl Ortiz and Curtis Anthony Bozif,” The Saw Room @ The Alley Gallery,
Evanston, IL (July 21 – September 1, 2018)
“JuxtaPositions,” The Painting Center, New York, NY (June 21 – July 14, 2018)
"Illinois at 200," Giertz Gallery, Parkland College, Champaign, IL (June 18 - August 8, 2018)
“Galex 52,” Galesburg Civic Art Center, Galesburg, IL (March 2 – 31, 2018)
“Hidden Passages – An Abstract Exhibit,” Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL (February 9 – March 2, 2018)
“14th Regional Juried Exhibition at the Freeport Art Museum,” Freeport Art Museum, Freeport, IL (November 17, 2017 –
February 10, 2018)
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2017
“Raúl Ortiz,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL (November 17 - December 20, 2017)
“Tilica y flaca es la calaca: Day of the Dead,” National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL (September 22 – December 10,
2017)
“Raúl Ortiz: Ash Tree on Pink Sky,” Big Walls Gallery (E/F Corridor) and the Box Office Gallery, Center for Performing Arts
(Visual Arts Gallery), Governors State University, University Park, IL (August 14 – December 6, 2017)
“Abstract Landscapes – Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,” Lincoln Belmont Library Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago,
IL (September 1 – January 4, 2018)
“Different Paths: Raúl Ortiz and Scott Mossman,” The Art Center Highland Park, Highland Park, IL (July 7 – 28, 2017)
“Knew You but New to the Gallery - Brian Schutz, Mark Bowers, Raúl Ortiz, and Takeshi Takahara,” Judith Racht Gallery,
Harbert, MI (July 2017)
“Art in City Hall,” Highland Park City Hall, Highland Park, IL (June 1 – September 1, 2017)
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2016
“Landscapes Remixed: Recent Paintings” Noyes Cultural Center, Evanston, IL (December 11 – January 6, 2017)
“BIG Small Works Show,” Elephant Room Gallery - Bridgeport, Chicago, IL (November 11, 2016 – January 7, 2017)
“Landscape Compositions,” Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL (August 26 – October
28, 2016)
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,” Bezazian Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL (September 1 – October 31, 2016)
“Paisajes,” UNAM Chicago, Chicago, IL (May 12 – June 10, 2016)
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2015
“Landscapes - Raúl Ortiz,” Old Town Triangle Art Center, (December 4, 2015 – January 15, 2016)
“Raúl Ortiz: One Person Show,” University Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL (July 13 – September 14, 2015)
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,” North Pulaski Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL (September 15 – October 15, 2015)
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,” Des Plaines History Center, Des Plaines, IL (September 15 - September 30, 2015)
“Art in Motion 2015,” Northwestern University, Lurie Center Ryan Family Atrium, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“Spring 30/30,” Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, University Park, IL
“Scott Mossman & Raúl Ortiz Exhibition,” The Belmont Gallery, Chicago, IL
“One Person Show,” West Town Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL
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2014
“2014 Benefit Exhibition,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
“Diverse Expressions,” The Human Thread Gallery, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,” West Town Branch, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL
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2006-2011 Gallery H, Three Oaks, MI
"2010 Benefit Exhibition,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
“2009 Benefit Exhibition,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
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2007
“Artfutura 2007,” Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
“Just Good Art,” Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2006
“Artist-in-Residence Exhibition,” The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL
“Cliff Dwellers Art Expo Exhibition,” The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL
“Artist-in-Residence (2005-2006),” The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL
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2005
“2005 Benefit Exhibition,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
“Artfutura: Exhibition of American Art 2005," Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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2004
"2004 Spring Exhibition," Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
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2002-2003
“26th Annual Alice and Arthur Baer Art Competition," Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL (Nov. 22, 2002 - Jan. 17, 2003)
“Just Good Art,” Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
"2002 Spring Exhibition," Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
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2001
“Small Prints,” Workshop Print Gallery, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL
"Kaleidoscope – Raul Ortiz, Paintings," CIU Art Lounge, Chicago Illini Union, Chicago, IL
“Face to Face,” Workshop Print Gallery, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL
“Face to Face,” Lill Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
“University Student Art Exhibition,” A. Montgomery Ward Gallery at the University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
“24th Annual National Small Works Exhibition,” Harper College, Palatine, IL
“Amalgamate,” B.F.A. Exhibition, GBU Gallery at the University of Illinois, Chicago
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2000
“Artists of the New Millennium 2000,” Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
“Summer Show,” Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
“23rd Annual National Small Works Exhibition,” Harper College, Palatine, IL
“43rd Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition,” Wright Museum of Art, Beloit, WI
“Just Good Art,” Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
1999
“43rd Annual National Print Exhibition,” Hunterdon Museum of Art, Clinton, NJ
“5th Annual University Art Show,” Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN
“42nd Annual Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition,” Wright Museum of Art, Beloit, WI
“14th Annual Greater Midwest International,” Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO
“Print-Off,” GBU Gallery, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
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1998
“3rd Occasional Survey of Abstract Art in Chicago,” Klein Art Works, Chicago, IL
“65th Stateline Vicinity Exhibition,” Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
“Positive/Negative 13,” Slocumb Gallery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
“Group Show,” Gallery 400, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
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1997
“Two Person Show,” University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
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1995
“New Talent I,” Contemporary Art Workshop, Chicago, IL
“Solo,” University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
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1994
“One on One,” Language House Gallery, Chicago, IL
“True Colors,” Language House Gallery, Chicago, IL
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1993
“Fit to Print,” Greenview Arts Center, Chicago, IL
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AWARDS
First Place Award in 2D work (painting), “Small Works”, Harper College, 2000
Blanche Koffler Scholarship Award, University of Illinois, 1998/99
University of Illinois Talent Tuition Waiver, 1998
BACKGROUND
B.F.A. in Painting and Sculpture from the University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001
Curator for the GBU Gallery, a student-run gallery at the University of Illinois, 1998-99
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ASSOCIATIONS
Springboard Arts Chicago, Represented Artist, 2020 - 2021