About Dino Paravano
Biography & Pen Portrait of an International Master Artist
Born in Rome, Italy, in 1935, Dino Paravano immigrated with his family to South Africa in 1947, where his lifelong commitment to art began to flourish. Encouraged and tutored from an early age by his father—an enthusiastic amateur artist—Dino developed a passion for painting that would define his life’s work. He attended the Johannesburg College of Art and traveling throughout Europe for further study. Despite these formal foundations, Dino considers himself largely self-taught, shaped by observation, curiosity, and disciplined practice.
In 1964, he married Kiki, a fellow Italian expatriate. Together, they raised a daughter and a son while Dino’s artistic career expanded across continents. After achieving national acclaim in South Africa, Dino sought broader horizons, traveling frequently to the United States and many other countries. His growing reputation soon brought him international recognition. In 1992, Dino and Kiki emigrated from South Africa to the United States, where they now reside in Tucson, AZ.
Exhibitions & International Presence
Since 1966, Dino Paravano has held 15 one-man exhibitions in major cities across South Africa, as well as in New York City, London, and Fairfax, Virginia. His early milestone came in 1970, when the National Sea Rescue Institute commissioned a painting that was formally presented to the South African State President, J. Fouché. His 1974 tour of the United States, Argentina, and Brazil led to an invitation to hold a solo exhibition in New York City in 1976.
Beyond his solo shows, Dino has participated in more than 300 two-artist, three-artist, and group exhibitions throughout South Africa, England, Italy, Australia, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Japan, China, Dubai, and Hong Kong. His work has been shown in institutions such as the Audubon Society in Atlanta and New York, Game Coin in San Antonio, and Safari Club International in Las Vegas and Michigan. A signature member of the Society of Animal Artists (New York) since 1978, Dino has exhibited in every annual show and many subsequent national tours. He has also participated in the prestigious Wilderness Congress exhibitions in Johannesburg and Colorado Springs, the “Wildlife Artists of the World” exhibitions at Everard Read Gallery, and major wildlife exhibitions at Trailside Galleries in Jackson, Wyoming, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
His art has been represented internationally by galleries including Gallery Americana (Carmel), King Gallery/Sportsman's Edge (New York), Nature’s Gallery (Ohio), The Tryon Gallery (London), Holland & Holland (London–Paris–New York), Mondiale Art (Hong Kong), and Humar Gallery (Dubai).
Dino is also a member of the Pastel Society of America and Oil Painters of America, regularly exhibiting in both organizations’ juried exhibitions.
Beyond his solo shows, Dino has participated in more than 300 two-artist, three-artist, and group exhibitions throughout South Africa, England, Italy, Australia, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Japan, China, Dubai, and Hong Kong. His work has been shown in institutions such as the Audubon Society in Atlanta and New York, Game Coin in San Antonio, and Safari Club International in Las Vegas and Michigan. A signature member of the Society of Animal Artists (New York) since 1978, Dino has exhibited in every annual show and many subsequent national tours. He has also participated in the prestigious Wilderness Congress exhibitions in Johannesburg and Colorado Springs, the “Wildlife Artists of the World” exhibitions at Everard Read Gallery, and major wildlife exhibitions at Trailside Galleries in Jackson, Wyoming, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
His art has been represented internationally by galleries including Gallery Americana (Carmel), King Gallery/Sportsman's Edge (New York), Nature’s Gallery (Ohio), The Tryon Gallery (London), Holland & Holland (London–Paris–New York), Mondiale Art (Hong Kong), and Humar Gallery (Dubai).
Dino is also a member of the Pastel Society of America and Oil Painters of America, regularly exhibiting in both organizations’ juried exhibitions.
Published Works, Reproductions, & Major Commissions
Since 1978, Dino has released 32 limited-edition lithographs, numerous giclées, and several posters in both the United States and South Africa. In 1988, he joined Mill Pond Press Inc., a leading publisher of fine art reproductions.
He is widely celebrated for his masterful portrayals of South African landscapes, ocean scenes, and wildlife. His major commissions include:
He is widely celebrated for his masterful portrayals of South African landscapes, ocean scenes, and wildlife. His major commissions include:
- 1983: Ten paintings for South Africa’s National Parks Board, published in 350 limited-edition portfolios.
- Major South African Harbors: Commissioned by Market Research Africa for a limited-edition portfolio and calendar.
- “Sea and Shore” Portfolio: A limited-edition series by Swann Publishers.
- 1986: “The Big Five” commissioned by Mala Mala Game Reserve, with originals displayed in the lodge.
His artwork earned notable awards, including 2nd Prize at the 1983 International Wildlife Exhibition (Cincinnati, Ohio) and multiple top distinctions from the Society of Animal Artists in 1984, 1990, 1996, and beyond.
Birds in Art, International Tours, & Museum Prestige
Dino’s long-standing relationship with the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is a hallmark of his career:
- Selected for Birds in Art in 1985 (top 50 works toured U.S. museums).
- One of only nine artists to have two paintings selected in 1986.
- Pastels toured museums in the U.S., Hawaii, China (Beijing Natural History Museum), and Japan.
- By 2008, Dino had appeared in 23 consecutive Birds in Art exhibitions.
In 1993, Dino was honored as MASTER WILDLIFE ARTIST, one of the museum’s highest distinctions.
His international exhibitions include Wildlife in Art (Woodson Art Museum), Art and the Animal Kingdom VI, European tours, and prestigious invitations including a 1990 solo show on Piazza Del Duomo in Milan.
His international exhibitions include Wildlife in Art (Woodson Art Museum), Art and the Animal Kingdom VI, European tours, and prestigious invitations including a 1990 solo show on Piazza Del Duomo in Milan.
Books, Illustrations, Media, & Literature Features
Dino illustrated two volumes by best-selling author Peter Hathaway Capstick—The Last Horizons (1990) and Death in a Lonely Land (1991). He contributed to numerous other publications, including The Kill (1989), In Full Flight (1992), Taverns of the Wild (1993), and Living Places. His work appears in Hunting in Botswana (Tony Arinõ Sanchez), African Wildlife in Art, and many acclaimed books on painting wildlife.
He has been featured in magazines such as Wildlife Art News, American Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art, Sporting Classics, Pastel Journal, and more. One of his paintings is even mentioned in Wilbur Smith’s novel Gold Mine.
Dino is included in Who’s Who in Southern Africa, International Who’s Who of Intellectuals, Men of Achievement, International Man of the Year, Who’s Who in American Art, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and other major biographical directories.
He has been featured in magazines such as Wildlife Art News, American Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art, Sporting Classics, Pastel Journal, and more. One of his paintings is even mentioned in Wilbur Smith’s novel Gold Mine.
Dino is included in Who’s Who in Southern Africa, International Who’s Who of Intellectuals, Men of Achievement, International Man of the Year, Who’s Who in American Art, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and other major biographical directories.
Collections & Institutional Acquisitions
Dino’s works are part of the permanent collections of:
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
- Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum
- Bennington Center for the Arts
- The Wildlife Experience Museum
- Raymond James Financial
- Nedbank (London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg)
- Standard Bank, Barclays Bank, and other major financial institutions
- The South African Reserve Bank
- Total Oil South Africa
- South African Broadcasting Corporation
- Kruger National Park (Skukuza)
- Mala Mala Game Reserve
- Numerous private collectors across the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East
Additional Notable Achievements
Dino created seven dioramas for the South African Nature Conservation Center Museum in 1988 and has been featured across newspapers, magazines, radio, television, including South African national TV, and a U.S. satellite interview on Good Morning South Africa in 1992.
Achievements (Year 2001-2008)
Between 2001 and 2008, Dino continued to earn honors and participate in premier exhibitions worldwide:
- Two awards at Wild Cat Art (Fresno, 2001)
- Painting purchased by Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum for its permanent collection
- Exhibited in Art of the Animal Kingdom VI (Bennington Center for the Arts)
- Multiple selections for Art and the Animal (Society of Animal Artists)
- Exhibitor in Western Visions (National Museum of Wildlife Art, 2001–2004)
- Six works in Big Game 2001 at the Tryon Gallery, London
- Featured in Pastel Artist International (Master Artists of the World Showcase, 2001)
- Exhibitor at Howard/Mandville Gallery and Settlers West Gallery miniature shows (2001–2007)
- Participant in Trailside Galleries’ wildlife and miniature shows (2001–2006)
- Artwork added multiple times to Raymond James Financial's corporate collection
- Featured in Wildlife Art magazine’s 20th Anniversary issue (2002)
- Exhibitor at Sierra Club’s Nature’s Legacy (Bartfield Galleries, NYC, 2002)
- Exhibitor in Feline Fine: Art of Cats (2002 + tour)
- Pastel “Cougar Siblings” displayed at the National Geographic Society’s Explorers Hall
- Works included in the permanent collection of The Wildlife Experience Museum (Denver)
- Multiple awards in Pastel Journal competitions (2003, 2005)
- Two awards in The Artist’s Magazine (2004); featured again in 2005
- Published in Pure Color—Best of Pastel (2005)
- Participant in Art for Survival (Tryon Gallery, London, 2003, 2005, 2007)
- Exhibitor in The Artists of Trailside Galleries—Celebrating 40 Years
- Exhibitor at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (2004–2006)
- Exhibitor in “Small Works, Great Wonders,” National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Featured in Wildscapes magazine (UK), cover artwork “Night Games”
- Included in Who’s Who in American Art (2006) and Who’s Who in America (2008)
- Three paintings featured in Sporting Classics (2007)
- Winner of the Hiram Blauvelt Museum Purchase Award (2007)