Known for his vivid realism in depicting the Gulf Coast, much of Billy Solitario’s work has become historic in nature. As an artist drawn to the nature that surrounds water, a large body of Solitario’s work centers around the coast from the Gulf to the Pacific. From dunes that have since been destroyed by storms to the tranquil groves of sea pines, Solitario’s work strikes a chord with the viewer. Capturing light and the ethereal quality of clouds, the paintings suggest a visual metaphor for life.

Solitario’s personal vision emerges from the working process, that art is a matter of direct experience and can’t be forced by dressing one’s subjects and materials in a set of clever ideas.

Winning a spot in the touring “Top 100 Artists” exhibition from the annual Arts for the Parks competition, sponsored by the National Parks and Wildlife foundation, at the young age of 28, Solitario has made quite an impression on the art world.  He was named to the coveted list of “21 under 31” selected annually by “Southwestern Art Magazine” in 2002 at the ripe old age of 30.  Billy Solitario is a talent to watch and to collect as he matures into one of America’s top artists.

Billy received his MFA from Tulane University and his BFA from the University of South Florida. He grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and currently lives and works in New Orleans.