NATHAN MCCLAIN 1973 - 1997
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Nathanial Allen McClain was born on August 6, 1973 to David and and Lynn McClain.
He was an only child and was raised in Granite City, Illinois, an industrial steelmill town near St. Louis, Missouri.
As a child, he received art lessons at home from his mother Lynn who was an artist and a major influence in McClain's life.
From as early as four years old, he began creating his own custom birthday and greeting cards for his family.
During McClain's elementary school years, his abilities were quickly recognized and encouraged by his teachers.
His artistic creativity continued to expand and he always seemed to have a crayon, pencil, or marker in his hand.
In addition to enjoying art, McClain became a very skilled swimer and diver.
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McClain attended Granite City High School from 1987–1991 where his artistic abilities flourished.
He refined his ability to create reproductions of physical objects, photographs, and other works all before the age of 18.
Some of McClain's most treasured pieces were created during this prolific period resulting in numerous awards and accolades.
He won 2nd Place in the "Pasta House Great Works of Art Contest" for his inspired interpretation of The Arnolfini Portrait.
He also atteneded a summer art camp at Notre Dame University.
McClain had a natural fun-loving spirit, was known throughout many different social circles, and was on the Homecoming Court.
He was an athletic artist who enjoyed playing Tennis and became a certified lifeguard.
In 1990, McClain was 1 of only 24 Midwest High School Seniors to attend the elite Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Seminar at Colorado College.
By the time he graduated from high school in 1991, McClain was determined to make his way as an artist.
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McClain pursued studies at Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) in Springfield, Missouri from 1991-1995.
He quickly mastered the principles of art-making that formed the curriculum which resulted in another prolific period for McClain.
His artwork during this period stemmed from his wildly vivid imagination and he produced very few reproductions.
McClain was active on campus, joined the Delta Chi fraternity, and made many lasting friendships.
After Thanksgiving in 1993, McClain's mother Lynn died after a short 4-month battle with cancer.
Lynn was his biggest supporter and her sudden passing profoundly affected McClain as well as his artwork.
McClain's color choices seem to become darker and his themes harsher after her death.
In 1995, McClain graduated from SMSU and obtained a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in Illustration.
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After completing his Illustration degree, McClain spent the summer in the Northeast and he returned to live in the Art Lofts of downtown St. Louis, Missouri.
McClain's apartment loft quickly became a major gathering party spot and he frequented the local downtown bars near the apartment.
While in the Art Lofts environment, McClain was surrounded by many types of artists (musical, visual, performance, etc.) which inspired him to produce some of the largest scale paintings in his career.
McClain was living the "starving" artist lifestyle by working various waiter positions around St. Louis and as a free-lance commercial artist.
One of these paintings was a 16' by 8' sports mural which was painted on the wall of a sporting goods store.
1997 was a banner year for McClain and everything was coming together for him.
He participated in a group art show with fellow Art Loft artists, traveled to New York City, and took a road trip to California.
In late August 1997, McClain began interviewing for Illustration positions.
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On September 6th 1997, McClain attended the wedding of two SMSU college friends in Louisiana, Missouri.
Shortly after midnight, McClain and some friends went to a bridge near the hotel to go swimming.
McClain, a certified lifeguard, was the first to dive into the Mississippi river and he never surfaced.
Authorities later found his body downstream.
Nathanial Allen McClain died at the age of 24 on September 7, 1997.
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