William Woodward (artist, born 1935)

His paternal grandfather, Edwin Ashley Woodward, was a sign painter of large billboards, restaurant murals, and circus posters and signage.

[3] He earned his BA and MA degrees from American University, where he studied with Sarah Baker, Ben Summerford, and Robert Gates.

He has presented lectures and demonstrations as a guest expert at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, re-creating the painting techniques of Old Masters, such as Titian and Peter Paul Rubens.

[1] In an article by Rafael Squirru in Americas Magazine, Woodward explained: “Without commitment to any dogma, I explore the familiar, seeking to uncover a significant surprise that it still contains – a poignance of mood, an unexpected aspect of color, a novel juxtaposition of shapes.

[6] Benjamin Forgey, art and architectural critic of The Washington Post, observed, “[Woodward’s] paintings are alive with knowledge, translated from eye to hand….

But the local painter has the range and technique of one.”[8] Jill Wechsler for American Artist wrote, “Woodward has contributed to restoring faith in the continued vitality of traditional painting, helping to secure its niche in the modern art world.”[5] Woodward died on June 14, 2023, at the age of 88.

In 2017, the series was exhibited at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington, DC, and attracted record breaking crowds.