richard wilson

Richard Wilson’s art takes you back to cherished childhood moments, filled with warmth and connection.

The North Carolina artist’s work also tells inspiring stories of African-American figures, often untold, through the use of symbolism in his paintings.

These portraits reach out to everyone, especially children, encouraging them to dream big.

Artist: The North Carolina native was born and grew up in Robersonville, where he took an early interest in drawing. At Barton College, Wilson studied advertising and commercial art.He later earned an AA degree in advertising and graphic design from Pitt Community College, where he also was a drawing instructor from 2007 to 2014.

Before he became a full time artist, Wilson had several jobs, including truck driver, while painting portraits on the side.

Company/studio: Richard Wilson Fine Arts and Graphics Inc. started in 2001 in Greenville where the artist lived for 22 years and now has a home studio in Wendell. Wilson also works in Artspace, a public studio in Raleigh.

In the beginning: At age eight, Wilson remembers watching his dad draw pencil sketches of him and his brothers at the dinner table. He also helped his father hand-paint signs for his part-time job.

As a sophomore in high school, Wilson realized he could make a difference with art when he completed his first commission.

One of Wilson’s close friends and football teammates was killed in a car accident before taking his football photos.

His mother, encouraged by Wilson’s art teacher, asked if he could draw her son in his football uniform. She gave Wilson a picture of his face, and he used his own body as a reference to create a painting of him in uniform, adjusting the jersey number to match his friend —72 instead of his own, 82.

When Wilson presented the portrait to his friend’s mother, her gratitude and emotional response showed him the profound impact art can have.

“That experience inspired me to start my portrait business in the 10th grade,” said Wilson. “I’ve been passionate about using my art to bring joy and comfort to others ever since.”

Art & materials: Primarily soft pastels and oil paintings ($1,800 to $50,000). The work blends figurative art with themes of cultural pride, celebrating high achievers, icons and historical figures.

What’s popular: His “Shadow Series,” “Southern Girl Series,” and “Well-Trained Series” are collector favorites

Favorite or must-have tool: His laptop.

Inspirations:

Wilson’s father, who inspired him by drawing as he grew up.
Artists like Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth.
Wilson’s three daughters, who are models in his paintings.

Fun and special commissions:

George Henry White portrait: White was the last former slave to serve in Congress. This portrait became the first painting by an African-American artist to hang in any courthouse in North Carolina. It is displayed in the Edgecombe County Superior Courthouse in Tarboro, NC.
Mary Frances Early portrait: Commissioned by the University of Georgia (UGA) to honor its first African-American graduate. Wilson had the opportunity to dine with Ms. Early in Atlanta before beginning her portrait to capture her essence. The university later renamed its school of education after Ms. Early in recognition of her legacy.
Shirley Mathis McBay portrait: McBay was the first African-American to earn a PhD from the UGA. The university named its library in her honor.
Black Diallo Miller portraits: Commissioned to paint the portraits of Dr. Harold A. Black, Dr. Mary Blackwell Diallo, and Dr. Kerry Rushin Miller, the first African-American freshmen to graduate with undergraduate degrees from the UGA. These paintings now hang in the Black-Diallo-Miller building, a new freshman student hall named after them.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes portraits: Commissioned by (UGA) to honor its first African-American to enroll at the University in 1961. The university renamed an academic building in recognition of their legacy.

Other notable honors:

Wilson’s work was featured in movies and TV shows, including Ice Cube’s “Barbershop-The Next Cut,” NBC’s “This Is Us,” plus Netflix’s “The Trap’’ and “Raising Deon” (season 2).
Fine Art Connoisseur magazine featured Wilson. January/February 2021.

Recent awards: Many, including: