Duane Alt was born in a small town in Nebraska in 1935. As a young child his family moved to Southern California. From a very young age he felt compelled to imagine and create his own art. His early formative years in art schooling was in his teens at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.
 
In 1953, Alt was called to serve in the United States Army, he was stationed in Germany. While in the Army his commanding officer took a liking to Alt and noticed his immense artistic talent. He was ordered to put his art skills to work painting murals inside cafeterias at various Army bases in which he was stationed to boost troop morale. It was during this time that Alt had his first taste of European life. 

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After being released from active duty, Alt spent the next few months exploring the European countryside. Taking in all of the breathtaking sights and scenes that captivated his artistic senses like never before. 

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