Commissions
For over 40 years, my original woodcarvings and wildlife sculptures have found homes in private and public collections around the world. If you’re considering investing in an original artwork, I invite you to contact me directly with any ideas or inspirations you’d like to explore.
If a piece that you like has already sold, I’m happy to create a custom sculpture – similar in spirit but entirely your own. Many of my originals, like the flying hawk shown below, can be crafted as either free-standing or wall-mounted pieces, with formal or informal presentation options. Please view “Wall Works/Installations/Collections” as well as this page for more examples and collector testimonials.
It brings me great joy to create artwork that makes collectors happy. In an age of AI and mass production, there’s lasting value in owning a one-of-a-kind, signed original. I welcome your inquiries and would be honored to create something special for you.
Sculptor Chris Wilson installing “Big Red”, life-size red-tailed hawk, in client’s home.
Critical Reviews
“In the rolling hills of Georgia, artist Chris Wilson is hard at work – chiseling, carving, painting – bringing birds to life from blocks of wood. A full-time sculptor for over 40 years, Wilson doesn’t just replicate wildlife, he resurrects it – slowly peeling away wood to reveal what was seemingly already there. Every feather he carves into his wooden bobwhites speaks to a deep reverence for quail and the places they call home.” Ryan Sparks, Quail Forever Journal Editor 9/2025
“Chris Wilson’s path to becoming one of the country’s most acclaimed wildlife sculptors is a story rooted in family legacy, a love of nature, and his lifelong pursuit of precision….
“The covey rises upwards in perfect choreography – a fleeting and beautiful moment every quail hunter knows well, immortalized in wood”. Ryan Sparks, “A Legacy in Wood: Artist Chris Wilson Carves Grace, Motion, and Memory” 9/2025
”Chris Wilson isn’t just a woodcarver, he’s a wildlife whisperer. His hand-carved sculptures transcend mere craftsmanship, transforming wood into creatures so lifelike they seem about to leap from their bases. With meticulous detail and an uncanny knack for capturing the essence of an animal, Wilson’s work blurs the line between art and nature.
Each piece is a testament to Wilson’s dedication. With over 40 years of professional experience and a collection of over 100 “Best in Show” awards, his passion for the craft is evident. From the delicate feathers of a songbird to the powerful musculature of a bear, Wilson imbues his sculptures with a realism that leaves viewers awestruck. Whether displayed in a private collection or gracing a gallery wall, Wilson’s wildlife sculptures are guaranteed to become cherished conversation pieces for generations to come.” Leandro Lima, CEO-founder of Visualflood 4/2024
“Chris Wilson carves natures magic and mystery with mastery! He specializes in bird sculpture's, wood, stone and bronze wildlife sculptures. He is an artist who has vigilance in his work as a professional, creating the abstract and the realistic with tension, texture, spirituality and harmony. Please see the works of Chris Wilson.... you will have made a wise decision! Jack Lovett, Lovetts Fine Art Gallery (oldest fine art gallery in Oklahoma) 3/2018
“Wilson has managed to cultivate a practice that is as multidimensional as it is artistic. His work is well-known and admired by scholars of wildlife art, though he may not yet be a household name in the broader art world. Yet Wilson has managed to remain relevant in his field for more than 40 years, despite changing styles and directions. This is due in part to the educational programs that he offers on monumentalizing wildlife, which creates a demand for the kind of installation art that Wilson pioneered. He also continues to travel and lecture internationally on wildlife conservation and art. And while Wilson may have reached the pinnacle of prestige within his field, he seems poised to transcend narrow definitions and earn recognition outside of it as well.” Deepak Mehla from “The Enchanting Nature Sculptures of Chris Wilson” -2023.
“Wilson draws his inspiration from nature itself, with a particular focus on avian species and their soaring prowess. In 2001, he retraced the steps of his forebear, William Bartram, through select areas of the Southeast. As the first-ever naturalist artist to describe countless species of flora and fauna, Bartram’s legacy imbued Wilson with an indelible sense of wonderment. During this journey, Wilson was overwhelmed by the splendor of creatures like the great blue heron, ancient tree groves, and primordial wilderness. His fervent hope is that the spiritual energy he felt at that time shines through in every piece he creates, allowing others to experience it as well.” Bianca Kann, Director of AATONAU, International Art Magazine -2023 (https://aatonau.com/chris-wilson-a-lifetime-of-wildlife-sculpting -Please read the rest and more reviews under Articles.
Testimonials
The following testimony is what a collector wrote about a piece that I recently finished in memory of his father (In fact, he graciously allowed me to enter his work into a competition): “My, you have been busy. An all-nighter! But it was more than worth it. This looks so amazing! It's exactly what I was hoping for! The bluestem is so realistic. By adding the seed you made it even better. The colors are fabulous. My Dad would be so amazed. This will be such a special piece for me forever. So many memories come flooding back. You are amazing! Good luck with the competition. If the judges give you a hard time about the grasses, tell them to come to …. Ranch and I will show them just how realistic it looks. Thanks again….. It finally arrived. It is just as awesome as I was hoping. The bluestem is perfect. I think I have it assembled….. It is so beautiful in our antique armoire. I am so happy! Thank you again!” S 10/2023
“The Magnolia Warbler is now perched in its new home and is much loved.... more even than when I first saw him. Thanks ever so much, Chris, from the two of us.” Kathleen 3/14/2021
My beautiful sculpture (“Golden Days” -American Goldfinch) gives me great happiness to look at. Thank you so much, Jane 12/5/2020
"I have three of Chris' miniatures from 30 years ago. They stand the test of time; beauty never fades." J. Moore 6/2020
Here's what the sister of a collector said about this miniature hummingbird just over an inch in length: "I got your birthday present to me, and wow! It is incredibly fragile and beautiful, and it came perfectly intact! The flowered vine sticks way out in the air, and the hummer is out even further. It’s absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much - what a birthday present!" Beebe 9/20/2019
"The Monarch arrived safe and sound--your innovative packing is impressive and worked. I had no idea it had such an impressive pedigree so it will certainly be proudly displayed--and to answer your question we now have 19 of your works and we enjoy them on a daily basis. Never thought the Chickadee my wife gave me would have so much company. Hope you have another great year and probably see you later this year." D 1/5/2020
“Simply the best. Our house is about full of his sculptures.” Steve 5/2018
“Dear Chris, He’s arrived and we are thrilled! He’s a little large for the space, but I don’t care- he’s so amazing. At some point we’ll find a nice cabinet with some better lighting, but for now he is perched near our bluebird. I’m already thinking of commissioning a bird for next year to add to our ‘Wilson Collection’. .. Thank you so much for sending our scarlet friend to us. I’m so happy to have him so my parents can see him when they’re here for Christmas... Thank you again and again- you are a master!” Fondly, Lee 11/2010
“Dear Chris, Oh, how I love my Warblers!!! I am so thrilled to have them. They are sitting on a pedestal in my living room and I expect them to fly away every time I walk into the room. You have no idea just how pleased I am to have such a beautifully done piece of art!
I am enclosing the pictures you sent me for me to see some of your work. I have also enjoyed thinking about them. Thank you for all the effort you have gone for me. It has been greatly appreciated...... Again, I want you to know how thrilled and pleased I am with “Spring Courtship.” I so enjoy it. My heart just sings when I see it.....” Sincerely, C. Schierhlolz 11/2000
