Billy Soza Warsoldier
Cahuilla/Apache

Born in Southern California, Billy Soza Warsoldier has studied at the Chicago Art Institute and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. Painting exclusively in oils, he uses a palette knife for application. Rarely does he use a brush, which differs from the practice of his contemporaries. Without the use of formula, Warsolder delves into his personal connection with the wildness that exists within. By doing so, he has created such series as The Aspen Wolf and The Wild Mustang. And he has connected with the land and the freedom that comes with being an Indian man out in the wild—being who he really is. Having struggled and fought so long to keep this wildness and freedom within the Indian community, Warsoldier uses his artwork to preserve it.