William Cumming (artist)

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For other men with this name, see William Cumming.

William Cumming (b. 1917 in Kalispell, Montana) was a noted 20th century artist and a founder of the Northwest School.

Largely self-taught, Cumming is considered the youngest of the Northwest School which included Guy Anderson, Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, and Kenneth Callahan. Although a contemporary of the Northwest School, whose work echoed the muted and diffuse images of the moist, gray northwest landscape, Cummings developed a distinctive style.

William (Bill) Cumming began painting with the WPA Federal Art Project in Seattle from 1938 to 1940. His career was interrupted on occasion by both his political leanings, and by bouts with tuberculosis. His work captures moments of daily life using light and shadow to create form in broad strokes; and utilizes contrasting, vibrant colors to move the viewer through the painting and accentuate the main elements. His scenes usually include the common man or animals, either in motion or in slice-of-life portrayals. Facial details are minimal. As a life drawing instructor, Cumming would note that you could recognize a friend down the road just by their gait and posture, without ever seeing their face. Body language is a key element in his work.

He has taught painting for many years, most notably at The Burnley School of Professional Art, The Cornish School of Allied Arts, and The Art Institute of Seattle.

He authored Sketchbook, A Memoir of the 30's & the Northwest School, which is in print.

Another publication is William Cumming: The Image of Consequence, which was published in conjunction with an exhibition of Cumming's work at the Seattle Frye Museum.