 Wilbur Craig is one of America's most unique and talented artists, creating a distinct niche in the art world. He turns wood into transportation dreams come true, otherwise known as “Wood Art In Motion.”
Wilbur magically transforms planks of wood into miniature automobiles, motorcycles, trains, airplanes, bulldozers, tractors, buggies, rifles, and much more. These are not carvings; all have moving wood parts and can be completely disassembled – piece by piece – down to the frame.
| “I like the challenge. People don’t believe I never went to art school or anything. I just tell them that it’s a gift from God.” |
Each art piece is 100% wood and most have between 1,000 to 9,000 parts, each made to a precision fit by hand. No nails, screws, string, rubber, plastics, glue or wire are used, just wood. Wilbur's works are created from memory, photograph or by sight. He creates each piece of art without drawings, kits, 'to scale' measurements, calculations, 'tool and die', precision instruments or lathe. He uses only his hands, a band saw, belt sander, scroll saw and planer. His ruler is his eyes; he takes no measurements.
Wilbur’s art functions with the exacting precision as found in the original parts of a full scale item, down to the finest of details including such small parts as windshield wipers, door hinges, seat springs, handles, oil dip sticks, cylinders of engines with pistons, transmissions and drive shafts, moving tracks, wheels that turn via a steering wheel, gears, blades, rippers, sleeper cabs outfitted with a closet and dresser filled with attire, glove compartments accessorized with tools, CDs and a thermos of coffee, and the list goes on.
 Wilbur built the 6-foot-long Big Boy Locomotive (seen here to the left) that is currently on display in the Cheyenne Depot Museum.
The Big Boy has approximately 9,000 parts all made by hand and hand fitted from pine, maple and walnut. Wilbur created the Big Boy from photographs of the real locomotive sitting in Holliday Park in downtown Cheyenne (click here to see more pictures of the real Big Boy).
The real Big Boy Locomotive has 39 wheels, with the front four wheels being able to turn in order to follow the track on a curve. Wilbur's replica has incorporated this same design. Museum Curators appraised the art in 2005 at a starting value of $100,000. We invite you to come to the Cheyenne Depot Museum to see this amazing exhibit!
See the comparison above of the carved Big Boy and the mammoth engine on display at Holliday Park.
Though Wilbur’s talent was first seen at the age of 12 when he carved his first tractor, he never touched a piece of wood again until he retired at 57 and “out of the blue” just decided to carve a bulldozer one day by looking at a small plastic toy. Well, that led to not one but three bulldozers as his wife, Jane, reminded him that he had three children and each should have one or a fight would begin!
It didn’t take long to figure out that this was much more than just a hobby or passion of Wilbur’s. Though it was “challenging” to get Wilbur to realize that he is in fact an Artist, he now has no choice but to admit it. His art has received both local and national recognition in museums, art shows, corporate headquarters, TV, radio, web and print. Among several awards that Wilbur is so proud of, The New York Art Festival featured him as the "Grand Jury Award Winner" of the Los Angeles Art Show in September '04.
Three actors own a Military Jeep made by Wilbur -- Tim Conway, Ernest Borgnine and Chuck Norris.
Wilbur was commissioned by Cycle Trader to create multiple motorcycles for "Biker Build-Offs" in which cycle enthusiasts will compete to put the all wood replicas together in 2-3 minutes.
You can see more of his art at www.woodartinmotion.com and www.myspace.com/woodartinmotion. For more information, please contact “Wood Art In Motion” Art Rep, Tonia Craig at 818-297-9021 or email woodartinmotion@gmail.com. |
