Barney Ortiz started his art courses early in life with the Spanish painter José Azaustre, who taught him the essence of art and encouraged Ortiz to enter the School of Fine Arts in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During his years as a student of fine arts, he was influenced by his teachers like graphic artist Manuel Fonteboa, who taught him how 'to be free in his expression.' Fran Cervoni, who taught the importance of drawing. The expression of Ortiz comes to an interpretative maturity with the series ' Fire and Water '.