'Concrete Thinking'
September 5, 2025 5:00 PM –9:00 PM
2752 W. Colorado Ave
| Colorado Springs, CO | 80904
Admission: Free.
Event Summary
Concrete Thinking: abstract ideas in heavy form by Michael S. Ortiz
About the exhibit:
The works speak in fragments — of possession, of place, of expression — drawing on the idea that we “have” emotion, memory, rebellion. Through layers, drips, deconstructions, and reassemblies, graffiti is stripped of literalism and rebuilt as abstract energy: an idea given form without needing translation.
About the artist:
Michael graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting. Michael started as a full-time professional artist working out of his studio in San Antonio. In 2023, Michael relocated his studio to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He enjoys a bright and bold color pallet with a unique approach to traditional subject matter. His goal while producing each piece is to havefun and let loose. By using a variety of tools he is able to allow his inner child freedom on the canvas. The energetic mark making is the most fun and expressiveapproach to the painting process. His enjoyment of paint manipulation and involvement in all the processes allows him to translate loose brushwork and energetic mark makinginto fresh and new juxtaposed worlds. He loves the built-up layers on a canvas like on the exterior walls of buildings. The story on the canvas has so much more to it than meets the eye.
About the exhibit:
The works speak in fragments — of possession, of place, of expression — drawing on the idea that we “have” emotion, memory, rebellion. Through layers, drips, deconstructions, and reassemblies, graffiti is stripped of literalism and rebuilt as abstract energy: an idea given form without needing translation.
About the artist:
Michael graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting. Michael started as a full-time professional artist working out of his studio in San Antonio. In 2023, Michael relocated his studio to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He enjoys a bright and bold color pallet with a unique approach to traditional subject matter. His goal while producing each piece is to havefun and let loose. By using a variety of tools he is able to allow his inner child freedom on the canvas. The energetic mark making is the most fun and expressiveapproach to the painting process. His enjoyment of paint manipulation and involvement in all the processes allows him to translate loose brushwork and energetic mark makinginto fresh and new juxtaposed worlds. He loves the built-up layers on a canvas like on the exterior walls of buildings. The story on the canvas has so much more to it than meets the eye.
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Also Occurs On
- Friday, September 5
- Saturday, September 6
- Tuesday, September 9
- Wednesday, September 10
- Thursday, September 11
- Friday, September 12
- Saturday, September 13
- Tuesday, September 16
- Wednesday, September 17
- Thursday, September 18
- Friday, September 19
- Saturday, September 20
- Tuesday, September 23
- Wednesday, September 24
- Thursday, September 25
- Friday, September 26
Overview
2752 W. Colorado Ave
| Colorado Springs, CO | 80904
