Frank P. Ordaz grew up in Southern California. At the age of twelve, he studied with portrait artist Theodore N. Lukits. It was at the Lukits Academy that Frank was introduced to the academic method of painting from plaster casts and from life. He was later mentored by California landscape painter Sam Hyde Harris who brilliantly captured the tonal quality of light in Southern California.

Frank attended the University of Southern California and graduated from the Art Center College of Design in 1980. He began painting for George Lucasʼs special effects company Industrial Light and Magic where he worked on Oscar-winning motion pictures including E.T. and Return of the Jedi. In 1986, he was recognized with an Emmy for his matte paintings in The Ewok Adventure movie. Frank designed the 2006 Easter Egg Roll poster for the White House.

After working for years as a successful and in-demand illustrator, Frank started his own studio gallery in Auburn, California in 2008. He soon gathered a following, painting portraits of local people and dignitaries as well as returning to his love of plein air landscape painting. “I believe when God gives you a gift that it is your responsibility to nurture and develop that gift and share it with others.” His shop, which is located in downtown Auburn, welcomes visitors from all over the world as well as locals. “I’ve designed my studio to be like a living room where anyone can walk in, sit down, and we can have a conversation. I believe the artist should be an active part of his community and inspire others to experience the beauty of Creation through portraiture and narrative subject matter.”

Frank and Jana have been married for 36 wonderful years and have two amazing boys and two beautiful grandchildren.