BORN

1957, Baltimore, Maryland


STUDIED

Schuler School of Fine Arts, Baltimore, Maryland, 1975 – 1979
The New York Academy of Art, New York , 1989-90


ONE-MAN SHOWS

2005 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2001 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1998 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1996 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1994 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1993 The Baltimore Life Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1991 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1990 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1988 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1986 Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1985 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1983 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1981 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1979 John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD


GROUP SHOWS

2019 Undying Traditions, Memento Mori, September 12th – January 5th 2020, Musgegon Musuem of Art                                                         2018 :Chosen Objects”September 13-October 6th, Gallery Henoch, New York, NY
2016 :Recent Acquisitions” November 4th, The National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,DC
2016 “Behind The Easel”, October 20th through November 19th, The Delaware Art Museum, Truth and Vision: 21st Century Realism
2016 “Behind The Easel”, October 20th through November 19th, Somerville Manning Gallery,” The Unique Voices Of 20 Contemporary Representational Artists”
2015 “Visions” The Mori Arts Center, April 29th, Tokyo Japan
2015 “Figures and Interiors” November 20th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015 “Still Life & Florals” October 16th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015 “Recent Arrivals” January 26th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2014 “Drawings”, August 14th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2014 “Figures”, May 5th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2014 “Still Life Exhibition” March 10th The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 “Cityscape’s” August 9th to August 31st, The John Pence Gallery, San Fransisco, CA
2013 “We Can’t Believe”, December 21st to February16th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 The Diego Salazar Gallery,”Group Show” May 6th, New York,NY
2013 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China”, January 23rd to March 20th, The Tianjin Art Museum, Tianjin, China
2013 “Recent Arrivals” February 22nd to March 16th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 “Figures” March 22nd to April 13th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China” April 1st to May 26th, Hubei Provincial Museum, Hubei Province, China
2013 “Still Life” April 19th to May 11th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China”, June 3rd to July 26th, Zhejiang Museum, Zhejiang, China
2013 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China”, Shanghai Chinese Arts Palace, July 30th to October 30th,Shanghai World Expo China Pavilion
2012 “Resolve” The Joshua Liner Gallery, New York, NY
2012 “Portraits and Figures” March 16th to April11th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012 “Will Wilson Curates”, May 25th to June 23rd, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China”, Beijing World Art Museum, September 15th to November 4th, Beijing, China
2012 “Still Life and Trompe l’oeil”, September 7th to October 6th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012 ACOPAL, “Contemporary American Realism in China”, Dalian Modern Museum, November 14th to January 13th 2013, Liaoning Province, China
2011 “Recent Arrivals”, Jan 6th to Feb 12th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011 “Size Matters”, Feb18th to March 26th, The john Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011 “West Coast Painters”, April 1st to April 30th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011 “The 75th National Midyear Exhibition” June, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
2011 “Trompe L’Oeil”, October 14th to Nov 12th, The John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010 Re-Presenting The Nude, Evoke Contemporary Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2010 Reality Check, Contemporary American Trompe L’oeil Painting, The Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford, PA
2010 February, “The Human Figure” John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010 January, “Eat Drink and be Merry” John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010 January, “Between Realities” The Principle Gallery
2009 “The Object Project” Museum of Outdoor Art, Englewood, CO
2008-2009 ” The Object Project” Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga, TN
2008 Florals, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2008 “The Object Project” Greenville County Museum of Art, Greenville, SC
2008 ” The Object Project” Phillbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK
2007 Trompe l’Oeil: Art and Illusion, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007-2008 “The Object Project” Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, Evensville, IN
2007 “About Face” Portraiture Now, Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, CA
2006 Beyond the Likeness: Self Portraits by California Artists, The TritonMuseum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
2006 The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
2006 Eighth Annual Realism Invitational, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, New York, NY
2006 Trailblazers and Trendsetters, Art of the Stamp, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Washington, DC
2005 Literary Arts Series, Robert Penn Warren Issue
2005 Paint What You Want, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005 Valentines, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Paint What You Want, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005-1992 Society of Illustrators, New York, NY
2004 Allegories, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2004 Trompe l’Oeil Tradition, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 Exposed: The Nude, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 Self Portraits, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 Realism Invitational V, Jenkins-Johnson Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 Representing Representation VI, Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
2003 New Generation of Magic Realists, Sangre De Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, CO
2002 Still Lifes, Florals, Interiors, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2002 Realism Invitational IV, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2001 Homage toÝ, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2000 Still Lifes,Florals and Trompe l’Oeil, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1999 Drawings, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1999 Trompe l’Oeil: Art and Illusion, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1998 Still Lifes and Florals, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997 Figures and Interiors, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997 Still Lifes and Florals, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1997 Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
1996 Tradition, American Realism: Past & Present, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1994 Moveable Feast, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1994 Artist of America: Denver Rotary Show, Denver, CO
1994 USART, San Francisco, CA
1993 Small Works for the Holidays, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1993 Major Works by Major Artists, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1993 Representing Representation, Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
1993 Artist of America: Denver Rotary Show, Denver, CO
1993 USART, San Francisco, CA
1992 Dealer’s Choice, In Collaboration, Santa Monica, CA
1992 The Figure and Interiors, Selected American Artists – Past and Present, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1992 Still Lifes and Florals, Selected American Artists – Past and Present, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1992 Butler Institute of American Art, Mid-year Show, Youngstown, OH
1992 Allied American Artists: Denver Rotary Show, Denver, CO
1991 Winter Showcase, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1990 As I See Myself, Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1990 Group Show, Salmagundi Club, New York
1989 Group Show, Salmagundi Club, New York
1988 Small Works for the Holidays, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1988 Sixteen Artists, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1988 Butler Institute of American Art, Mid-year Show, Youngstown, OH
1988 Faculty Exhibitions,
1987 School of Maroger Show, St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, VA
1987 Small Works for the Holidays, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1987 Director’s Choice, Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1986 Group Show, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1985-1979 The Charcoal Group Annual Show, Baltimore, MD
1985 Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
1985 National Art Competition, American Artist Magazine, Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, NY
1984 Society of Illustrators, New York, NY
1984 Six American Realists, Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1982 Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
1975 Schuler School of Fine Arts, Baltimore, MD


AWARDS

2011 Honorable Mention, The 75th National Midyear Exhibition, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
2006 Third Place, Peoples Choice Award, The Outwin Boochever Portrait CompititionThe National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington,DC
2005 First Place, Figurative Category, International Artist
2003 First Place, Still Life Category, Artist Magizine
1997ˆ2001 Award of Excellence, Communication Arts, New York, NY
1995 Juror’s Choice, “Best in Show”, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
1994 First Prize, Oil Painting, Artist Magazine
1992 Grand Prize, Maryland Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest
1990 “Best in Show,” Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1990 “Thomas E. Picard Award,” Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
1989 “Don Donaldson Memorial Award,” Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
1988 Honorable Mention “National Still Life Competition,” Artist Magazine
1987 “Popularity Award,” Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1985 Honorable Mention, National Art Competition, American Artist Magazine, New York, NY
1984 “Best in Show,” Life of Maryland Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1982 “Jurors Special Mention,” Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH


CORPORATE PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

The National Portrait Gallery, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Michael jackson
George Lucas and Lucas Film
Sony Music
Time Magazine
Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, New York, NY
The Seven Bridges Collection
The Muskegon Museum of Art                                                                                
Buckeye Petroleum, Summit, NJ
Hub Tour and Travel, Portland, OR
The Pratt Collection, Friday Harbor, WA
Time-Out Family Amusement Centers, Fairfax, VA
Christopher & Long, St. Louis, MO
Grandview Ranch, Saratoga, CA
Baltimore Life Insurance CO, Baltimore, MD
The Mansion Motel, San Francisco, CA
The John Pence Collection, San Francisco, CA
The Henry Collection, Philadelphia, PA
The Schlumberger Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA
McKenzie-Walker Investments, Larkspur, CA
Isrealson, Jackson & Salisbury, Baltimore, MD
Still-Life Construction, Santa Monica, CA
Jacobs, Visconsi & Jacobs, Cleveland, OH
North American Properties, Cincinnati, OH
Semon Industries, New York, NY Illustration Clientele
Coca Cola Company
Penthouse Magazine
Money Magazine
The Discovery Channel
Simon and Schuster
Scribbner
Nabisco


BIBLIOGRAPHY

2019 “Will Wilson, Stories From a Master Painter’s Life” December 2019 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine

2018 “Seven Bridges” A Mecca for Contemporary Art and More. Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, August, 2018, volume 15, issue #4
2016 “Realistic Visions” American Art collector, October Issue
2016 “Building Narratives” American Art Collector Magazine, October Issue
2015 “Cast of Characters” American Art Collector, October Issue
2015 “Celebrating America’s Great Collectors” February Issue, Fine Art Connoisseur
2015 “Figures and Interiors” American Art Collector, November issue
2014 “Behind The Easel” The Unique voices of 20 Contemporary Representational Painters
2013 Contemporary American Realism
2013 “Recent Arrivals” American Art Collector Magazine, March Issue
2012“The Mystery of Arrival” Oxford American, The Visual South Magazine
2012 “Will Wilson Exclusive, The Iconic Interview”, Iconic Magazine, June Issue 2012
2012 “Will Wilson Currates” American Art Collector Magazine, June Issue, 2012
2011 “Impact of Illusion” American Art Collector Magazine, October issue
2010 “Portrait Painting Atelier, Old Master techniques and Contemporary Application”, Watson-Gubtill Publications
2009 January/February, The Artist’s Magazine Special 25th Anniversary Issue, Cover artist feature, The New Classicism
2009 September, American Artist Magazine, Studios
2006 “Two opportunities to see 8th Annual Realism Invitational coast to coast” American Art Collector Magazine, June issue
2006 “Collecting still life paintings” American Art Collector Magazine, April issue
2006 The Studio as Muse, Workplace and Refuse, American Art Collector Magazine, September issue
2006 Realist Citadel, American Art Collector Magazine, November issue
2005 “Destination San Francisco” American Art Collector Magazine, Premiere issue
2005 Linn’s U.S. Stamp Yearbook
2005 Learning From Sculpture How To Model Form, International Artist Magizine, August
2005 Feature Article, American Art Collector, Fall issue
2005 “Going Postal” Catonsville Times
2004 Cover and Review, Art Talk, April
2003 Cover and Review, Mosaic Magizine, Spring issue
1999 “Portraits, Meaning Beyond Identity” American Artist Magazine, April issue
1993 “One Realistic Guy,” Baltimore Magazine, June
1993 “Will Power,” Owing Mills Times, Catsonsville Times, Arbutus Times, June
1992 “The Old World Mastery of Will Wilson,” Annapolis Lifestyle, October
1990 “The Great Awakening: Will Wilson is Fulfilling His Dreams,” US ART Magazine, January/February
1987 “Will Wilson,” Community College Creators Series, Cable Six – TV, Baltimore, Summer,
1986 “A Classic Act,” Baltimore Sun Magazine, November 2,
1986 “Will Wilson,” Pace Magazine, Piedmont Airlines, October issue
1986 Evening Magazine, WJZ – TV, Baltimore, MD November issue
1985 “Susan’s People,” WMAR – TV, Baltimore, MD April
1985 “Drawing and Painting the Figure,” American Artist, February issue
1984 Review 84, Baltimore, MD, Fall,
1984 “Art’s Marriage Broker,” Decor Magazine, St. Louis, MO August issue
1983 “Will Wilson,” (cover story), American Artist Magazine, New York, NY,May issue
1983 Position Magazine, Baltimore, MD, November issue
1983 Baltimore Sunpapers, Baltimore, MD, July issue
1982 Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, OH July issue
1979 Baltimore Sunpapers, Baltimore, MD July