Unlike most artists, Solano did not begin his painting career until he turned 40, and without any formal art training. Solano briefly attended the University of Colorado, was drafted and spent a year in Viet Nam as an infantry Sergeant. After his discharge from the army he return to school where he majored in Fun 101 . . . until the money ran out. He then worked in a steel mill, as a roofer and in the restaurant business, until he was hired as an illustrator in an ad agency.
Nathan eventually worked in Colorado and Florida as an illustrator, photographer and as an art director for several advertising agencies. While in Florida he quit as an art director then moved back to Colorado to paint full time.
Although Solano is widely known for his cowboy and Native American work he paints a variety of subject matter. 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 the Wildlife Art Magazine.
