CHARLES BANKS WILSON

I've had the pleasure and honor of being commissioned by the Oklahoma State Preservation Fund to paint a portrait of Oklahoma Master artist Charles Banks Wilson. He painted the large murals and portraits hanging in the Oklahoma Capital rotunda. I met with him in his Fayetteville, AR studio to take pictures and make a few sketches. He regaled me with stories of his life and career as we went over many pictures of him and his work. To complete the portrait I had a friend Chris Nick pose for the body. Creating the portrait to look as if a younger CBW was painting in front of me was the real challenge. Please take a look at the pictures of the painting in progress and enjoy the process.

Portrait artist Mike Wimmer explains how he first learned about his mentor Charles Banks Wilson 
on a high school field trip to the state Capitol.

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Artist Charles Banks Wilson was honored at the state Capitol Wednesday with the dedication 
of his portrait. Pictured L-R: Billie Barnett, artist Mike Wimmer, Charles Wilson, 
preservation fund president Charles Ford and Howard Barnett. 

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