Bill Whorrall

Bill Whorrall was born in Northern Indiana and now lives in Southern Indiana. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, he spent nine years pursuing his education and earned three degrees from Indiana University: two in education and an M.F.A. in printmaking. Although he is retired from full-time teaching, he continues to enjoy sharing his knowledge. Whorrall works across a wide range of media, allowing the concept behind each piece to determine the most appropriate materials.

Whorrall’s interest in art began around age five, when he saw another child’s drawing that used perspective. The illusion of depth on a flat surface captivated him and sparked a lifelong fascination with drawing. He believes that carefully observing and rendering objects strengthens the ability to see and think in three dimensions. For Whorrall, the connection between the hand and eye is essential—both fundamental and sophisticated. He maintains that no technology can equal the expressive immediacy of a simple stick dipped in ink, and that drawing, unlike passing artistic trends, is eternal.

Whorrall began painting seriously in 1966 following his military service, learning through practice while attending classes at Indiana University Extension in Gary, Indiana. Decades of study and teaching later, he continues to approach art as an ongoing process of discovery. After experimenting with oils and watercolors, he came to prefer acrylics for their speed, flexibility, and spontaneity. He often begins with one of his own photographs and expands upon it, transforming the original image through increasingly abstract forms and vibrant color. His work reflects the influence of the many artists who came before him, particularly Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.