Skip to main content

Donald Roller Wilson Art

American, b. 1938

Donald Roller Wilson was born in Houston, Texas in 1938 and was educated at Wichita State University. He is known for using items in his paintings such as dogs and cats, chimpanzees, dill pickles, wooden matches, olives, asparagus stalks and even cigarettes. He paints in oils in very polished realism, using the same techniques of the Old Masters. Wilson taught at the University of Arkansas from 1967–74 and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife Kathleen, also an artist.

According to the New York Times, "Donald Roller Wilson's goofy, hallucinogenic, Old Master-style painting of monkeys, dogs and cats dressed up in antique costumes may be kitsch, but it's high-quality kitsch, like good beach reading." Some of the characters he has created include Cookie the Baby Orangutan, Jane the Pug Girl, Jack the Jack Russell “Terror,” Loretta the Actress Cat, Miss Dog America and Patricia the Seeing Eye Dog of Houston. Wilson's works can be seen in the Brooklyn Museum; the Art Institute of Chicago; the Whitney Museum; Bank of America in San Francisco, California; Coe Kerr Gallery, New York City; and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, as well as many other galleries. The majority of his work is in the hands of private collectors. He created album cover art for musician Frank Zappa during the 1980s and 1990s. Among these: Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger (1984), Francesco Zappa (1984) and Them Or Us (1984). His main gallery at present is the John Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco, and his paintings may be collected through Peter Sahlman in New York.

to
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10,254
2,810
2,500
1,404
1
1
Artist: Donald Roller Wilson
"Dangerous" Contemporary Surreal Hyper Realistic Phallus and Tomato Painting
"Dangerous" Contemporary Surreal Hyper Realistic Phallus and Tomato Painting

"Dangerous" Contemporary Surreal Hyper Realistic Phallus and Tomato Painting

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Houston, TX

Hyper realistic surreal painting by Texas born artist Donald Roller Wilson. The work features a phallus with a single cigarette and a trio or tomato slices floating overhead. Signed ...

Category

1980s Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Related Items
"The Embrace" (2015) By John Tarantola, Original Nude Oil Portrait Painting
"The Embrace" (2015) By John Tarantola, Original Nude Oil Portrait Painting

"The Embrace" (2015) By John Tarantola, Original Nude Oil Portrait Painting

Located in Denver, CO

John Tarantola's original nude portrait "The Embrace" (2015) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts an athletic nude male figure embracing the bright silhouette...

Category

2010s Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"The Kiss"  2023, dark figurative oil painting by Daniela Astone
"The Kiss"  2023, dark figurative oil painting by Daniela Astone

"The Kiss" 2023, dark figurative oil painting by Daniela Astone

By Daniela Astone

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

Part of Daniela Astone's series of figures in different ethereal and surrealistic spaces. "The Kiss" brings to mind Gustav Klimt's famous 1908 painting of the same name but instead of an abstracted gold background, Astone creates a mysterious creature enveloping and suspending the figure in mid-air. The dark monster looks ominous until you notice the nude figure leaning into her partner, her hands lightly caressing or leaning on the the amorphous creature. Her body is relaxed and her eyes closed. As a classical artist who paints the nude figure everyday, Astone is masterful at depicting women at ease in their natural bodies rather than women self-conscious of their nudity—posing but fearful of exploitation at the same time—a theme in art history that continues today. Some of the sweeping strokes of black are inspired by Japanese paintings techniques, and on the lighter areas there are rain drop falling from a blue-grey cloud in the background. 52.8 x 44.9 inches framed Artist Bio Daniela Astone was born in Pisa, Italy, in 1980 and raised in Porto Santo Stefano...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Linen, Oil

"Pieta" (2021) By John Tarantola, Surrealistic Nude Portrait Oil Painting
"Pieta" (2021) By John Tarantola, Surrealistic Nude Portrait Oil Painting

"Pieta" (2021) By John Tarantola, Surrealistic Nude Portrait Oil Painting

Located in Denver, CO

John Tarantola's original nude portrait "Pieta" (2021) is a beautiful surrealist oil on panel painting that depicts two young athletic male figures atop a red cloth in vast desert du...

Category

2010s Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

José Manuel Capuletti, Iris con rama de olivo
José Manuel Capuletti, Iris con rama de olivo

José Manuel Capuletti, Iris con rama de olivo

Located in Madrid, ES

JOSÉ MANUEL CAPULETTI Spanish, 1925 - 1976 IRIS CON RAMA DE OLIVO signed "Capuletti" (lower right) oil on canvas 34-5/8 x 20-1/2 inches (88 x 52 cm.) framed: 38 x 23-3/4 inches (96.5...

Category

1970s Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Large framed French Vintage Still life oil painting of flower vases and a statue
Large framed French Vintage Still life oil painting of flower vases and a statue

Large framed French Vintage Still life oil painting of flower vases and a statue

Located in AIGNAN, FR

Large and unusual mid-century French vintage oil painting on hardboard signed in the lower left and in an attractive vintage frame. This post impressionist oil painting is cleverly ...

Category

Mid-20th Century French School Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil

Girl in a Chair, Large Painting by Bill Wiman
Girl in a Chair, Large Painting by Bill Wiman

Girl in a Chair, Large Painting by Bill Wiman

By Bill Wiman

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Bill Wiman, American (1940 - ) Title: Girl in a Chair Year: 1978 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed Size: 82 x 83.5 in. (182.88 x 212.09 cm) Frame: 83 x 84.5 inches

Category

1970s Photorealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Mid Century Modernist Surreal Sunset Abstract Nude Woman Landscape Oil Painting
Mid Century Modernist Surreal Sunset Abstract Nude Woman Landscape Oil Painting

Mid Century Modernist Surreal Sunset Abstract Nude Woman Landscape Oil Painting

Located in Buffalo, NY

Antique American school modernist surreal landscape. Oil on canvas, circa 1981. Signed on verso. Image size 30L x 18H. Housed in a period modern frame.

Category

1980s Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000
Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000

Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000

Located in San Francisco, CA

Carlos Alpizar "Mujer Enamor" Original Surreal Oil Painting C.2000 Woman in Love Original oil on canvas. Signed lower right. Canvas dimensions 46.5" wide x 38.5" high The frame m...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

'Nude with Roses' by Emile Baes (Brussels 1879 – Paris 1953)
'Nude with Roses' by Emile Baes (Brussels 1879 – Paris 1953)

'Nude with Roses' by Emile Baes (Brussels 1879 – Paris 1953)

By Emile Baes

Located in Knokke, BE

Emile Baes Brussels 1879 – Paris 1953 Belgian Painter 'Nude with Roses' Signature: signed lower middle right 'Emile Baes' Medium: oil on canvas Dimensions: image size 111 x 76 cm, ...

Category

Early 20th Century Naturalistic Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Previously Available Items
She Didn’t Like It
She Didn’t Like It

She Didn’t Like It

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Dated: 1987/55 Signed and dated upper edge Provenance: The artist Coe Kerr Gallery, New York Wright Gallery, New York Private collection, New York (Purchased from above, 1995) This...

Category

1980s Realist Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel

A RITE OF PASSAGE NAUGHTY BETTY…SEEN HERE ALONG WITH HER HALF-SISTER, JUDY…

A RITE OF PASSAGE NAUGHTY BETTY…SEEN HERE ALONG WITH HER HALF-SISTER, JUDY…

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in San Francisco, CA

Donald Roller Wilson A RITE OF PASSAGE NAUGHTY BETTY…SEEN HERE ALONG WITH HER HALF-SISTER, JUDY… BOTH GIRLS BEING OBSERVED POSTERIORLY BY THE FATHER…WATCHING WITH EXAGGERATED DISINTE...

Category

Late 20th Century Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

PATRICIA’S STRUGGLE TO GET TO THE PIANO DURING THE HIGH WINDS WHICH WHIPPED UP..

PATRICIA’S STRUGGLE TO GET TO THE PIANO DURING THE HIGH WINDS WHICH WHIPPED UP..

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in San Francisco, CA

Donald Roller Wilson PATRICIA’S STRUGGLE TO GET TO THE PIANO DURING THE HIGH WINDS WHICH WHIPPED UP IN MRS. JENKINS’ HALLWAY: AND JUST PRIOR TO THE PERFORMANCE OF HER PIECE FOR PIEC...

Category

1980s Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Seldom Seen Joanne: Naughty Betty and Mort

The Seldom Seen Joanne: Naughty Betty and Mort

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in San Francisco, CA

Oil on canvas in artist's frame 18 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches Framed: 24 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 2 5/8 inches

Category

Early 2000s Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fun Red Modern Contemporary Limited Edition Watch by Donald Roller Wilson
Fun Red Modern Contemporary Limited Edition Watch by Donald Roller Wilson

Fun Red Modern Contemporary Limited Edition Watch by Donald Roller Wilson

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Houston, TX

A modern watch by Donald Roller Wilson. The watch features a red patent leather and a dial that features a monkey with male genitalia on its head. The watch has silver metal accents and shows only very minimal wear. Unsigned but it includes a handwritten note to the collector. The box is clean and intact. Watch length: 9" Strap width: 0.68" Dial dimensions: H: 1.5" x W 1" Artist Biography: Donald Roller Wilson (b. 1938) is an American artist, known for his paintings of people and anthropomorphized chimpanzees, orangutans, cats, and dogs, set in southern gothic...

Category

20th Century Modern Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Leather

"Heads of Art" Whimsical Abstract Contemporary Lithograph of Dogs in Dresses
"Heads of Art" Whimsical Abstract Contemporary Lithograph of Dogs in Dresses

"Heads of Art" Whimsical Abstract Contemporary Lithograph of Dogs in Dresses

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Houston, TX

Whimsical abstract artist proof lithograph by Texas based artist Donald Roller Wilson. The work features a pair of bulldogs dresses in pink dresses with rainbow hats set against an abstract gray wall with text that reads "heads of art." Along the top margin the text reads: “And here are Helen and Helen- Arkansas Siamese girl bulldog twins joined primarily at their heads (once) but now joined again in the room of Mrs. Lamar Jenkins who never made it out of her house in her whole life. Mrs. Jenkins and the girls would get together and the girls would tell her jokes and stuff.” Signed and dated in front lower right corner. The central lower margin reads "Happy Birthday Judee <3 84 Roller." Currently hung in a light gray frame with a cream matting. Dimensions Without Frame: H 22.38 in. x W 30 in. Artist Biography: Donald Roller Wilson (born November 23, 1938) is an American artist. He is known for using items in his paintings, such as dogs and cats, chimpanzees, dill pickles, wooden matches, olives, asparagus stalks, and even cigarettes. He paints in oils in very polished realism using the same techniques of the old masters. He was born in Houston, Texas and educated at Wichita State University. He taught at the University of Arkansas from 1967 - 1974 and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife Kathleen, also an artist. According to the New York Times, "Donald Roller Wilson's goofy, hallucinogenic, old master-style painting of monkeys...

Category

1980s Modern Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Lithograph

“Space Friends: Barn Trip” Modern Hyperrealist Cow & Olives Surrealist Painting
“Space Friends: Barn Trip” Modern Hyperrealist Cow & Olives Surrealist Painting

“Space Friends: Barn Trip” Modern Hyperrealist Cow & Olives Surrealist Painting

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Houston, TX

Modern hyperrealist painting of a cow surrounded by floating olives by Texas artist Donald Roller Wilson. The work is hung in a hexagonal frame, adding an additional layer of interest. Signed and dated along front lower margin. Artist Biography: Donald Roller Wilson (born November 23, 1938) is an American artist. He is known for using items in his paintings, such as dogs and cats, chimpanzees, dill pickles, wooden matches, olives, asparagus stalks, and even cigarettes. He paints in oils in very polished realism using the same techniques of the old masters. He was born in Houston, Texas and educated at Wichita State University. He taught at the University of Arkansas from 1967 - 1974 and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife Kathleen, also an artist. According to the New York Times, "Donald Roller Wilson's goofy, hallucinogenic, old master-style painting of monkeys...

Category

1970s Modern Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil

I'd like to do it to you...
I'd like to do it to you...

I'd like to do it to you...

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Donald Roller Wilson, American (1938 - ) Title: I'd like to do it to you... Year: 1974 Medium: Mixed Media Collage, signed in pencil Size: 16 in. x 20 in. x 1.5 in. (40.64 cm...

Category

1970s Pop Art Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Paper, Pencil

Abstract Surrealist Contemporary Still Life With Wooden Matches
Abstract Surrealist Contemporary Still Life With Wooden Matches

Abstract Surrealist Contemporary Still Life With Wooden Matches

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in Houston, TX

Surrealist still life separated on four different panels and one canvas. The center panel has an eye in the middle with a match and an organic mass. On either is unlit matches. Two panels and a canvas frame the top of the piece. The canvas has an organic mass positioned in the center. On either side of the panels is a writing utensil forming a line. The work is incased in a lucite box. It is signed and dated by the artist on the large panel. Artist Biography: Donald Roller Wilson (born November 23, 1938) is an American artist. He is known for using items in his paintings, such as dogs and cats, chimpanzees, dill pickles, wooden matches, olives, asparagus stalks, and even cigarettes. He paints in oils in very polished realism using the same techniques of the old masters. He was born in Houston, Texas and educated at Wichita State University. He taught at the University of Arkansas from 1967 - 1974 and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife Kathleen, also an artist. According to the New York Times, "Donald Roller Wilson's goofy, hallucinogenic, old master-style painting of monkeys...

Category

1980s Contemporary Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Acrylic

COOKIE...DRESSED AND READY TO ATTEND
COOKIE...DRESSED AND READY TO ATTEND

COOKIE...DRESSED AND READY TO ATTEND

By Donald Roller Wilson

Located in San Francisco, CA

Full Title: COOKIE...DRESSED AND READY TO ATTEND WHAT WOULD BECOME HER HALF-BROTHER JACK’S SECOND FAILED BAR MITZVAH...BUT WITH COOKIE WONDERING DURING A STILL MOMENT...THOUGH SHE W...

Category

2010s Donald Roller Wilson Art

Materials

Oil

Donald Roller Wilson art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Donald Roller Wilson art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Donald Roller Wilson in canvas, fabric, oil paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Donald Roller Wilson art, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Luigi Lucioni, Stephen Scott Young, and Max Ferguson. Donald Roller Wilson art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35,000 and tops out at $45,000, while the average work can sell for $40,000.

Artists Similar to Donald Roller Wilson

Questions About Donald Roller Wilson Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
    How much Ellis Wilson paintings are worth varies based on size, condition, history and other factors. In 2012, his oil-on-masonite painting En Route sold for $38,000 at auction in New York City. Wilson was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement of the 1920s and ’30s that saw Black artists, writers, musicians, fashion designers and performers celebrating African American heritage and history. Wilson was particularly well-known for his dignified portrayals of Black people performing everyday activities in Africa. If you own one of his pieces, a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer can help you determine its potential selling price. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of art.