Since the first cave paintings, people have used art to depict hunting. These images share with others the imagery, the emotion, and the animals we find in the woods. Today’s artists seek to do the same, albeit with more advanced techniques than cave paintings. Whether a painting, a mount, or other creative ways, these artists all seek to evoke emotion from the viewers. This Turkey Week, we thought we’d share some of our favorite turkey artists and their work with you.
Larson’s Wildlife Art
Nicole Larson is a Minnesota-based wildlife artist, painting turkeys, deer, and whatever other animals she wants. What sets her apart from other artists is her canvas, or lack thereof. Larson has figured out a way to paint on turkey feathers, specifically a tom’s tail feathers. Whether it’s a single tail feather or a full fan, she paints incredible imagery of wildlife on these feathers. It’s a unique process requiring patience and a lot of time to figure out just how to paint these feathers. For more of her artwork, and to commission your own piece, check out her Instagram @larsonwildlife.
Jared Knox Art
Jared Knox is a wildlife artist based in Georgia. His work focuses on the vibrant use of acrylic colors to make his paintings come to life. While he’s only been a full-time artist for a short time, he’s been drawing and painting since he was a kid, and his accolades speak for themselves. He’s been selected as the Best of Cobb – Artist, won the 2023 Alabama Wildlife Arts Competition, and, most recently, was invited to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Knox’s art covers a wide variety of topics, but we can’t help but be drawn to his turkey work. His painting style and the combination of colors encapsulate everything we love about southern turkey hunting and its culture. For more of his work and to buy a print of your own, check out his print store.
Dustin Datillio
A good artist is able to capture the exact moment hunters experience in the woods and transpose them into masterful art, and that is exactly what Dustin Datillio accomplishes with his work. Datillio is a Vermont-based wildlife artist and avid turkey hunter. His art and drawings depicts incrediby realistic art scenes that blur the line between imagery and art. His turkey work particularly stands out, capturing the fine details, colors, and lighting in masterful pieces. His work has graced the covers of several publications and has even been selected as the artwork for the official NWTF turkey stamp. When it comes to turkey art, there are few that expertly capture gobblers in their element like Dustin.
Ryan Kirby
If you’ve read any amount of outdoor publications, chances are you’ve come across some of Ryan Kirby’s work. Kirby is among the most talented and well-known wildlife artists today, and his passion for turkeys and conservation runs deep. He began his career in the outdoor industry, working for NWTF and illustrating the legendary Tom Kelly’s column in each issue. One of our favorite art series Kirby does is his pencil art, combined with educational information. In one piece, he blends art and information in a way that is compelling to any outdoorsman. For more of Kirby’s work, check out his website.
Travis Luther
Travis Luther is a Florida-based wildlife artist whose recently gained popularity for his unique style of art. Rather than traditional canvases, Luther relies on YETI products as his backdrop. In doing so, he creates functional art designed to be out in the world. Each piece is a unique one-off featuring different fish and wildlife. While he’s well known in the fly fishing space for his fish-themed art, his turkey work is something we couldn’t overlook on this list. For more of his artwork and the chance to own your own custom YETI product, check out his website.