WILD ENCOUNTERS

THE ART OF
CORY CARLSON

sketchbooks and oil paints became tools to translate the wonder of nature into art. By the age of 15, he was selling his first paintings—an early sign of the career that would follow.

Cory’s work is rooted in direct experience. He has traveled to remote and untamed places around the world: witnessing the Great Migration in Kenya, trekking to observe wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, camping among bears in Alaska, and watching lions hunt in Botswana. Each encounter fuels his mission to capture not just the form, but the spirit of the animals he paints. “There is no substitute for observing wildlife firsthand,” he says. “I want my art to share those fleeting moments of beauty and awareness.”

Working primarily in oils, Cory uses a painterly block-in technique, vibrant color, and energetic brushwork to create lifelike scenes that feel alive. Collectors often remark that his paintings seem to move beyond the canvas, as though the animals could step forward into our world.

Cory’s dedication to his craft and conservation has earned him recognition from both art and wildlife communities. In 2021, he was named Artist of the Year by the Dallas Safari Club. His work has appeared on the covers of Game Trails Magazine and in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Sporting Classics, Sports Afield and Wildlife Art News. He has collaborated with organizations including Chimp Haven, Delta Waterfowl, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, raising funds and awareness for wildlife preservation.

Collectors around the globe seek his paintings for their vitality, emotion, and sense of place. Beyond gallery exhibitions, Cory creates custom works inspired by clients’ personal wildlife encounters, bringing their stories to life on canvas.

From his lakeside studio in the forested hills of Louisiana, which he shares with his wife—a jewelry artist equally inspired by nature—Cory continues to explore, paint, and invite others to connect with the wild. His art is both a tribute to nature’s beauty and a call to protect it for generations to come.