Artist in Residence: Phil Hilson

We welcome our  Artist in Residence to the Cody Country Art League.

Phil Hilson is a retired professional violinist and orchestra teacher now living in Cody, Wyoming. For decades, he performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the country, known for his expressive style, musical precision, and deep commitment to arts education. After retiring from teaching and performance, Phil turned his creative energy toward photography—a lifelong passion that has become his second career.

Today, Phil is an award-winning professional photographer specializing in wildlife, landscape, and astrophotography. His work is rooted in the vast beauty of the American West and the night skies above his Bortle 4 backyard in Cody. Whether capturing the motion of a soaring raptor, the stillness of a mountain lake, or the distant fire of a nebula, his images reflect a deep connection to the natural world and a patient, intentional approach to the craft.

Phil’s artistic philosophy draws from his musical background: Create with intention. Observe with patience. Honor the subject. He believes that great art—whether visual or musical—stirs emotion, invites stillness, and reveals beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed. His photography is guided by the same principles that shaped his music: discipline, listening, and a deep respect for the moment.

Phil’s work has earned statewide recognition, including:

1st Place – Wildlife Category, Wyoming Wildlife Magazine Photo Contest, for “Elegance in Motion”

2nd Place – Professional Photography, 2024 Cody Art League Competition, for his astrophoto “North America Nebula”

2nd Place – Professional Photography, 2025 Cody Art League Competition, for “Echoes of Home”

Selected Winner, Wyoming Public Media Photo Contest, for the 2025–2026 Traveling Photo Exhibition

Featured Photographer, Pinnacle Bank Calendar Contest, with two images selected in both the 2025 and 2026 editions

Grand Champion – Professional Photography, 2025 Park County Fair for “Echoes of Home”

Through exhibitions, fine art print sales, and public talks on astrophotography and artistic process, Phil continues to share his creative journey—now through the lens rather than the bow. His life’s work is a celebration of beauty, craftsmanship, and the quiet stories told by nature and light.