Ortho Owen became well-known for his sports paintings and drawings.

For his accurate and exciting portrayals of athletes in action he could rely on his knowledge of sports. He used to be a keen sportsman himself; he played Lacrosse, football, ice hockey and golf. With the use of gouache and pencil he captured the movement, tension and colour so necessary in the painting of a sports figure.
Because of the growing interest in his work he had prints made of the original paintings: in limited editions, signed and numbered to preserve their exclusiveness.

His work was exhibited in art galleries, sports halls, stadiums and even discotheques in Holland, Germany and Canada and at various major sporting events in Holland.