Nathan Solano

Nathan Solano was born in Utah and raised in Southern Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado until he was drafted during the Vietnam War where he served a tour as an infantry sergeant. Upon his return from war, Solano took art electives, such as photography, ceramics, painting, and drawing. Other pursuits occupied his time over the next several years as he lived in Colorado and Florida — work in a steel mill, as a roofer, in the restaurant industry and, eventually, as a photographer, illustrator, and art director for advertising agencies. By the time he was in his 40s, Solano was able to pursue his passion for painting, and soon was recognized for his extraordinary talent in creating memorable depictions of pristine snow, gritty cattle drives, rugged warriors and portraits of contemporary Native Americans.

Solano has become widely known for his portrait work, but his personal interests and curiosity have broadened his subject matter. He can be found at cattle roundups, powwows, and other environmental scenes of the American West, taking professional photographs that often end up on canvas. Fleeting moments are captured with dancing light and gesture, enticing the viewer to feel present within the scene and marking the moment as Solano prefers—”in the now.” No matter how seemingly mundane or routine, the art of Nathan Solano finds beauty and honesty. His images are powerful, evocative and extremely pleasing to the eye.

He has been featured in Art of the West, Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, Cowboys and Indians, Western Horsemen, The American Cowboy, Taos Magazine, The Artist Magazine, and Wildlife Art Magazine. His work has been included in the “Qwest for the West annual art show and sale at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. Solano was recently awarded Honorable Mention for Artistic Excellence (2020) by Southwest Art Magazine.