Nathan Vernau was born in 1981, in the great state of Wisconsin. He earned his B.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Stout in 2005 and, after earning his M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2009, moved to Chicago.

Being heavily influenced by comic books and the stories he read as a child, the idea of sequence and narrative has become essential to Nathan’s drawings. By animating body language, using symbols, and adding text he creates a visual conversation with the viewer. The words, phrases, or lyrics that appear offer multiple interpretations and double meanings that signify an inability to effectively communicate with others.

His work has been reviewed by ArtSlant, ArtLog, and The Chicago Tribune, as well as featured in New American Paintings, Studio Visit Magazine, and MISC Magazine. He has exhibited work at the Project Lodge and the Overture Center for the Arts. In Chicago he has shown at The Milk Factory and Robert Bills Contemporary.