Born in Denver, Colorado, Veloy Vigil was raised on farms around Greeley, Colorado. On his mother’s side, he was descended from Pueblo Indians and on his father’s side from the Spanish. Having been a rodeo participant, Vigil brought his experience with horses to many of his compositions. He is credited with a profound impact on people ideas about Native American art because, rather than naive, his images were abstract expressionist. But he gave it his own flowing style, frequently painting to music. His intense infusion of color also triggered the label “colorist”.