Billy Solitario was born in Manhattan Beach, California in 1972. His family then moved to Gautier, Mississippi located on the Gulf of Mexico. In 1994, Billy graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.F.A. in painting. After graduation he moved to New Orleans. While attending the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, Billy worked as a graphic artist with a small advertising agency. In 1997 he received the Gwendolyn Ozol’s Scholarship Award and studied painting full-time. In 2003, Billy received an M.F.A. in painting from Tulane University. For the past ten years, Billy Solitario has worked as a professional artist, showing primarily in Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana.