In William Nichols' large-scale paintings the viewer is immersed within a lushly blooming garden or a densely wooded forest. It is a contemporary look at landscape generated out of American traditions of realism. Nichols' overlaying of transparent glazes creates a rich tapestry of sensuous color and texture.
Elements found in Nichols’ work include an intense focus on a close-up of a landscape rather than a large-scale vista and a methodical application of paint that allows for incredible detail and abstraction. The atmospheric quality of light in his painting provides a great sense of realism, especially when viewed from afar. His masterful paintings bridge realism with impression and abstraction.
Born in Chicago, William Nichols grew up enjoying the outdoors of northern Wisconsin, an experience that continues to influence his work. He studied at the University of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he received his BFA. He later earned his MFA at the University of Illinois and continued his graduate studies at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College in London as a Fulbright-Hayes Scholar. He spent his teaching career as a professor of art at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
Nichols’ work is represented in collections throughout the country including Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI; J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Collection at the Illinois Governor's Mansion, Springfield, IL; Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK; Boise Art Museum, Boise, ID; Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, FL; The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, CA; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA; Taft Museum, Cincinnati, OH, among many others.
