“EVERYTHING STARTS WITH IMAGINATION.” ~ROBERTO CORTEZ

Roberto Cortez’s desire to create is innate, originally from Nicaragua, he grew up surrounded by nature’s bright, bold colors of the tropic, the ocean and the dramatic sunsets that captivated and nurtured his young imagination. However; from an early age and because of sociopolitical problems in his country he was forced to emigrate. First, he and his family moved to Mexico, thereafter he moved to San Francisco, CA.

In San Francisco, he obtained a degree in Industrial Arts from San Francisco State University. As a professional designer, he explored and worked in different areas of the creative industry throughout the Bay Area.

Although he found design rewarding, he wanted more freedom to express his creative drive   ̶  the combination of drastic changes that occurred early on in his life; besides, his exposure to different cultural and geographical scenarios shaped his perception of the world and influenced his desire to create art. ̶

A self-taught visual artist who learns through intuition and by trial and error experimentation, he is constantly looking for new techniques that can help him improve his means of expression. 

“When creating art, I spontaneously get involved with the experience of that moment, utilizing the media and techniques that simply feel right. The representations of my creations are of subjects and situations that I see and perceive throughout all my senses. From ordinary elements of everyday life to subjects that call for a profound analysis.”

By exploring Cortez’s art, you will discover a broad range of subjects that go from semi-representational art to abstract expression that defies logic and provokes intellectual challenge. Some of his works are intense and full of energy, while others are calm in feeling.

“Personally, I wouldn’t like to encapsulate myself into a specific art style but remain open to all kind of possibilities. I think that artistic expression should flow freely without restrictions of any type. If I had to define my style, I would define it as: Free Style…continually evolving and diverse.”