Debuting on our paper with his winning drawing “Faces”, this issue’s winner of the Best Submitted Art competition, Henry Carreño Ortiz.

Henry Ortiz is no stranger to the world of art, it’s something he takes very seriously. When he first started on this art piece he didn’t know what he was going with, after a few lines here and there multiple faces begin to form.

Ortiz thought it would be a good idea to submit it to us. He thought of it as a great opportunity, an opportunity to promote himself as the great artist that he is. He figured that if he wants people to appreciate his work he needed exposure and recognition. This in truth embodies what this competition is all about.

Wanting to be recognized is what drives him to create his artwork. In the long run, his goals are to have his artwork appreciate by many which will then be published in books so set his great talent can be viewed by others.

“There are many companies and artists in the present,” Ortiz said. “My main goal is to become part of those artists and being published.”

Henry Ortiz’s motivation for art has dwelled within for as long as he could remember.

“I think I was born with a pencil and no one found out…” he joked, describing how long he has been in the art business.

He shows this through a strict regiment of at least one drawing or painting a day – if not more. Ortiz sums up his reasons for doing this in a single word: passion.

“I can tell that it is the only thing that keeps me alive, there is not a day I can’t create something,” Ortiz said.

We sincerely hope that his passion will help propel him to great things during his artistic career.

In the spirit of competition, Ortiz was gracious enough to let us know how he felt about the artwork that won before him.

“Impressive, I love the details and how the artist plays with shadow and light – I have a hard time doing that,” Ortiz said. “I love black and white art. I’d like to know the meaning behind the artwork…”

Anyone interested in viewing more of Ortiz’s work can view his work online at www.henry-carreno-prints.com or www.twitter.com/darknekoboy