A Brooklyn artist and surfing enthusiast won the top $250,000 prize yesterday in a new art competition, for his painting of an ocean swell.

Ran Ortner, 50, of Fort Greene, beat out nine other finalists to win the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Mich., with his “Open Water No. 24.”

“To be able to use their resources and my energy strictly to pursue my work . . . is a liberty that’s really exquisite,” he said.