Nate McClain (1973 - 1997) was an American visual artist best known for his large-scale murals which have gained posthumous acclaim.

Nate was born August 6, 1973 in Granite City, IL with a natural talent for art. At age 4, he became a published artist when his Happy Birthday Card was sold nationally by Hello Studio's Children's Art Collection. He pursued art with a passion and earned a BFA in Illustration from Missouri State (formerly SMSU).

In 1993, his mother passed away from cancer which profoundly impacted Nate as he was an only child and his artwork turned to darker colors & harsher themes. After college, he worked as a freelance artist in St. Louis MO being commissioned to paint a 9' by 9' mural for Ozzie Smith's retirement from baseball. Nate was an emerging artist when he tragically passed away from a drowning accident in the Mississippi River on September 7, 1997 at age 24. .

Posthumously, the Nate McClain Gallery opened in 2003 providing private collectors a digital space to crowd-curate his artwork and share his life story. The Gallery has mobilized grassroots action by saving a McClain 16' by 8' mural from demolition and having his artwork appear on international magazine cover. Twenty years after his passing, his life and artistic legacy continue to resonate and inspire.

COPYRIGHT The images are not public domain. All images are copyright ©Nate McClain Gallery. All The Materials Contained May Not Be Reproduced, Copied, Edited, Published, Transmitted Or Downloaded In Any Way, All Rights Reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited. Read Less