Charles Banks Wilson

(1918–2013)

Though artist Charles Banks Wilson is known primarily for his classic paintings, many on display at the Oklahoma State Capitol, he always preferred to think of himself as a storyteller. In his book, Search for the Native American Purebloods (2011), his pencil portraits are accompanied by personal notes and anecdotes that place the images in a larger context.

Charles, who launched his career as a book illustrator and cover artist in New York, always maintained a unique relationship with other writers and has painted what many critics consider to be the definitive portraits of Will Rogers, Woody Guthrie, and Angie Debo.

Related listings: Doris Meyer and Michael Wallis

Did You Know...

In addition to being a nationally known artist, Charles Banks Wilson was also an expert roper and an accomplished musician.

Getting Started with Charles Banks Wilson

Selected Works

The Lithographs of Charles Banks Wilson, 1989 (with David Hunt)
Search for the Native American Purebloods, 2011 (updated edition)

Also: Charles Banks Wilson, by Carole Klein, Anne Morand, Carol Haralson, and Randy Ramer (contributor), 2010.

Find Out More
The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture