"I work with my imagination, and within myself, I find feelings, memories, and desires. Everything I represent in the artwork is born from my inner world."

Spanish artist Javier Ortas presents a playful and romantic view of the world in his signature geometric style. As a child growing up in Madrid, he took private lessons, learning to draw and work with oil paint, acrylics, and watercolor. Later, living in California, Javier pushed himself to perfect his technique of drawing with pen, ink, and colored pencils. Today, he resides in Toledo. Javier likes to escape the noise of the busy city and spend time in nature. His artwork appeared in galleries around the world, including in Spain, France, Holland and Italy.

What’s your home life like?

I was born and raised in Madrid, and I’ve lived in other big cities. However, I like peace and quiet, which is why, for the past couple of years, I’ve been living in a tranquil rural village surrounded by grain fields and olive groves. I love nature, and walking through this landscape feels like a privilege. Although I spend most of my time painting, I sometimes escape to the hills to watch wildlife.

What are you most proud of in your life?

Of having the person I have by my side and being able to smile at life day after day.

Do you have any studio rituals that help you get into a creative flow?

I usually listen to music while I work, although I believe my creative state is always present, inseparable from who I am.

How do you structure your day?

After I get up, I do some physical exercise, have breakfast, and head straight to my painting studio.

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

I work with my imagination, and within myself, I find feelings, memories, and desires. Everything I represent in the artwork is born from my inner world.

Tell us about your evolution as an artist.

For many years, I worked solely on drawing to perfect my technique. I place great importance on the precision of the stroke. I also dedicated time to painting with models or photos when I focused on learning and mastering watercolor. However, I gradually abandoned visual references and chose to create exclusively from my imagination, without relying on anything seen at the moment of creating, to achieve a highly personal style.

How do you decide when an artwork is finished?

It’s hard to explain. You simply feel it.

What is the most interesting observation someone has made about your work?

So many things get said. Someone once told me my talent was like a Dalí or a Picasso. It made me smile — I took it as a great compliment. Perhaps more interesting is a comment from a gallery owner I work with. She says that my work is very complete, with balance in color, composition, creativity, technique, and style. I like her comment because I really put effort into developing all those aspects in each piece.

Is there an artwork from another artist that has had a significant impact on you?

I wouldn't say there's one in particular. There are many works by the great masters of art history that I love. I would highlight Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Picasso.

What’s your favorite museum?

Of the ones I’ve visited in person, I’d choose the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum for the beauty of its Impressionist collection.

Is there anything else you’d like to share to help viewers better understand your work?

Yes, it’s possible to better understand my work by knowing that imagination is a key aspect—essential to my entire artistic project. I create my work 100% imagined, and the viewer uses their imagination to interpret it in their own way, giving it a unique and personal meaning.