ROMI CORTIER, a self taught fourth generation artist, watched his mother and grandmother work on paintings at the kitchen table, while growing up in the Pacific Northwest. He dabbled in sketching and acrylic painting in high school, but didn’t discover his true voice as an artist until he moved to Los Angeles in 1993.
Cortier’s first oil paintings were architectural in nature, inspired by the wet streets of Hollywood as seen from his first LA home, a tiny one room sublet. Further architectural inspiration came from the stucco clad homes in the hills above Laguna Beach, where he spent his first summer weekends in southern California. However, it was ultimately the interesting characters in Hollywood that would captivate his attention and turn him towards portraiture.
As an artist taking acting classes, Cortier became aware of the subtle nuances that created a character. “It’s something in the eyes, an expression, a special moment caught in time, that says it all, regardless of the setting,” explains Cortier. Starting with photographs, Cortier let his intuition guide him in interpreting his subjects. Some compositions are complex while others are paired down and simple. Only after the painting is complete is he able to describe, in words, what came through him. Frequently his vision is clarified even further from the words of the viewer as they react to his interpretation of the subject.
In 2000 Cortier enrolled in UCLA’s highly regarded Interior Design program. With his newly attained knowledge, he turned his attention towards renovating homes In Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Cortier was inspired to create works of art, to hang in his works of arts, layering his artistry. He is also certified as a Feng Shui consultant. The draw for him being an entire element of Feng Shui that is about the color associations with each of the five elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.
In 2006 two of his paintings were published by Pop Art Books in, Marilyn in Art, created to celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s 80th Birthday. His interior design and paintings have been featured in Us Weekly and Lifestyle Properties magazines as well as on Entertainment Tonight. Exhibitions of Cortier’s paintings have been held in Los Angeles.
Cortier continues his trajectory, dividing time between studios in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. He recently contributed to “The Portraits of the Fallen” Memorial, curated by Sherry Moore. www.portraitsofthefallenmemorial.org Reflecting his love of history of the “Built Environment,” which blossomed during his studies at UCLA, Cortier has turned his eye toward teaching. Through DIY YouTube video tutorials Cortier teaches art history in an accessible and relatable way; the videos have garnered 400,000 views. No matter what venue Cortier chooses for self expression; his keen eye for detail, composition, and color leave no doubt that a true artist is continuing to unfold.
In keeping with his appreciation of beauty and form, Cortier is also an esteemed hairstylist whose clientele includes actresses Sharon Lawrence, Anna Belknap, Rosa Blasi, and Bert Kreischer.
“Romi’s painting is the jewel of my home! I cannot say enough about it!”
-- Linda Kinney (Interior & Fashion Designer)
