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Peter G. Varisano

U.S. Army Combat Artist · First Artist-in-Residence

Master Sergeant Peter G. Varisano served as the U.S. Army's first artist-in-residence, documenting American soldiers and military life through watercolor, oil, and ink. From the sands of Operation Desert Storm to the halls of the Center of Military History, his artwork captures the humanity, courage, and quiet dignity of those who serve. He holds a B.A. from Norwich University and an M.F.A. from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

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About the Artist

1974
Joined the United States Army, beginning a distinguished career that would merge military service with artistic talent.
1989
First art team assignment — documented training exercises with the Wisconsin National Guard.
1990
Called from his post as instructor at the NCO Illustrators School at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, to document Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf.
1991
Became the U.S. Army's first Artist-in-Residence at the Center of Military History. Produced his most celebrated works during and after Desert Storm.
1992
Traveled with General Gordon R. Sullivan to document Army relief efforts in Florida following Hurricane Andrew.
1993
Documented Army activities during operations in Somalia.
1995–96
Final assignment as NCO in charge of the Army Art Team at the Center of Military History before retirement as Master Sergeant.
2001
Following the September 11 attacks, was the only artist allowed into the security perimeter of the World Trade Center to paint search-and-rescue efforts. Produced a series of watercolors, pastels, and drawings capturing FDNY, NYPD, and recovery workers at Ground Zero.
2010–11
Peter's work was featured in Art of the American Soldier, a landmark exhibition at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The show displayed over 250 works from the U.S. Army Art Collection spanning World War I to the present, across more than 6,000 square feet of gallery space. Organized in partnership with the U.S. Army Center of Military History and the National Museum of the United States Army.
“A photograph captures a split second in most cases. But a drawing or a painting captures time… the time taken to render the art. To observe, think, judge, analyze, measure, compare and record, simultaneously, through a block of time.” — Peter G. Varisano, Art of the American Soldier
“It seems strange to assign a role to an artist. It has been my experience that the combat artist will naturally see and record a variety of subjects in various media and techniques recording the history unfolding before his or her eyes. One need not be told what to do and never is. There is no censorship, no requests, no demands, but that of the demands imposed by the artists themselves.” — Peter G. Varisano

Peter produced work both in the field and in his studio, often painting from sketches and photographs made while deployed. Working primarily in watercolor, his paintings are vivid and expressive — capturing not just scenes of military life, but the humanity and resolve of the soldiers who served. He currently teaches art in North Carolina.

His work has been featured in the publication Art of the American Soldier and is permanently housed in the U.S. Army Art Collection at the National Archives and the National Museum of the United States Army.