WILD ENCOUNTERS
The Art of
Cory Carlson

 
painting of a mother bear with cubs

From the mountains of Colorado to the plains of Africa, Cory Carlson has dedicated his life to observing and painting wildlife in their natural habitats. His passion began in childhood, when 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 graced the covers of Game Trails Magazine and has been featured in prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Sporting Classics, Sports Afield, and Wildlife Art News. He has exhibited at renowned shows and exhibitions, including the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, NatureWorks, and the Dallas Safari Club. 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.

mag covers.png

Testimonials

”Cory’s gift of bringing life to his art is truly amazing. The intensity of expression in his subjects is so real, it draws you in as if you were in their world.”
”Your painting left me stunned, completely breathless. I thought the lion was going to come right off the canvas.”

2021 DSC Artist of the Year!

Cory Carlson was named the 2021 Artist of the year for the Dallas Safari Club convention. Carlson has been exhibiting with DSC for nearly 13 years and has donated numerous pieces for the auctions which have in turn raised thousands of dollars for conservation.

A kitten with a red bow tie poking at a painting of tigers, with the text "The Artist's Critic!"
A man and a woman standing outdoors on a hiking trail, smiling, with scenic hills and trees in the background. They are dressed in outdoor gear, and both have backpacks.
A woman and a young boy inside a mud house in Kenya. The woman is wearing outdoor clothing and a hat, holding a walking stick, and smiling. The boy is wrapped in a red plaid blanket, standing in the doorway and smiling.
Painting of a bison standing in a grassy landscape with flying birds and a cloudy sky.
A woman with a hat and camera standing next to an Maasai man wearing traditional orange and red clothing in a grassy outdoor landscape.
A smiling couple with wide-brimmed hats standing outdoors in front of a rustic wooden house with stone accents, garden statues, and potted flowers.
Two bison standing on dirt in a grassy landscape at sunset with dust rising from the ground.

More than something beautiful to look at, I aspire to change the way we view and appreciate wildlife by bringing “life” to every painting.