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Paul's Biography

A veteran submariner aboard a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle during the Vietnam War (1970) and an Imagery Analyst during the Iraqi War and Enduring Freedom, Paul retired at Buckley Air Force Base in 2006 after serving 26 years in the US Navy & US Naval Air Reserves. Paul's last  2 years of active duty began one week  after 9-11.

    In the private sector, Paul made image maps from the IKONOS satellite as a Cartographer for Space Imaging, as well as maps for Getty Oil Co.  Paul also created a coloring book of the Indianapolis race held in Denver  (80s) for the Childrens History Museum.  Paul graduated from  Denver Tech. College & Colorado Christian University. Studied art at the The Colorado Institute of Art and Biomedical Art at Arapahoe Comm. College in California. While working for Aurora Public Schools in Transportation, Paul taught himself to draw Pencil Portraits during his offtime.

      360 Pencil Portraits later Paul was fortunate to meet Lt. Col. John W Mosley in 2015 ( One of the original Tuskegee Airmen of Colorado) and through his son Captain Eric Mosley (United Airline Pilot), was able to connect with the President (Col. Bell) of the local Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Chapter. Paul donated 6 Airmen pencil portraits and thereafter  landed a contract to draw all 19 of the Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen (DOTA's) of Colorado from the Hubert L. "Hooks" Jones Chapter where the composite artwork (40 x 30 inch canvas) will be displayed at Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum and two military museums in Colorado Springs. In addition Paul has recently drawn a composite pencil portrait of Edna Mosley (1st African American Council Woman in Aurora) and Lt. Col. John W. Mosley to be displayed at the new P-8 School located in Aurora, Colorado in September of 2015.  Since then, Paul has met a number of the DOTA's at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs including the first original "TOP GUN" winner of 1949, Col. James Harvey III. In addition Paul was honored and felt privileged to meet 2nd Lt. Macon, Lt. Col Marion, Col. James E. Randall and Aviation Cadet Randy Edwards as well as the family and chapter members.  Most recently, Paul has donated a large 30 by 40 canvas print of his Tuskegee Airmen  Pencil Portrait composite in support of the Resolution signing of the Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day March 23rd, of 2017 where it is permanently displayed in the halls of government at the State Capitol of Denver Colorado. To commemorate this day, Paul's artwork was unvailed with State Senator Angela Williams, Senate President Grantham and other Senators. Please note TA Gallery above (hover over middle button to open 2nd middle button).

    Paul Ortiz is a member who creates artwork for the Tuskegee Airmen Chapter in Aurora, Colorado at Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum . TAI Dislplay also located at Centennial Airport Gallery & at the Denver International Airport north end of the terminal. Paul most recently became a cast member at The Walt Disney World Resort In 2017 transporting guests to all 22 plus WDW Magical Resorts as well as working with Security, thereafter returned to his home town in Aurora, Colorado in 2018 where  his wife Kathy and two daughters Ashley & Cayla reside. Returning to the chatper Paul created the new TAI logo as well as the Challenge Coin (see gallery).

Paul currently has a Pencil Portrait kiosk at Buckley Space Force Base featuring the Tuskegee airmen as well other

mililtary leaders, military aircraft, generals and is also taking orders for custom pencil portraits and montages.

    Paul's desire is to  honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and what they achieved through perseverance with limited opportunity. The Tuskegee Motto states: Aim High, Believe in Yourself, Use Your Brain, Never Quit, Be Ready to Go and Expect to Win!

 

 

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