William Schneider Biography
William A. Schneider’s work has evolved since he finished his studies at the American Academy of Art. He diligently pursued the Academy’s Saturday Program for eight years while still working full time. His life drawing instructor was the legendary Bill Parks and his painting teacher was Ted Smuskiewicz. Workshops with Carolyn Anderson, Dan Gerhartz, Harley Brown, and Richard Schmid among others solidified his understanding of the basics. But he credits the many hours he spent studying and copying masterworks by Nicolai Fechin with loosening up his brushwork and approach to edges.
He also describes four days of intense study and analysis of the works of J.W. Waterhouse at the Musee des beaux-arts in Montreal
as an epiphany in his understanding of composition. William commented, “The wonderful thing about art is that you can always
get better. I view myself as a perpetual student!”
William has been named “Master Signature Member” by Oil Painters of America (OPA), Pastel Society of America, The American Impressionist Society (AIS), and The Chicago Pastel Painters. He has also been named to the Masters Circle and designated an Eminent Pastelist by the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS).
Magazine Publications:
• Capturing Emotion, American Artist Magazine, February 2001
• Art Values, Southwest Art Magazine, November 2003
• It’s About Meaning, Art of the West Magazine, November 2004
• International Showcase of Master Pastel Painters, International Artist Magazine, Oct. 2004
• Master Portrait Artists’ Showcase, International Artist Magazine, February 2005
• William A. Schneider, The Pastel Journal, February 2005
• Start Your Collection, Southwest Art Magazine, April 2005
• Self-Portraits: Journey Through The Looking Glass, Art-Talk Magazine April 2005
• 2007Guidebook of Art, (Cover image) Art of the West Magazine 2007
• The Eyes Have It, The Pastel Journal, January 2008
• Painting the Mouth, American Artist Magazine, March 2008
• The Studio of William Schneider, Art of the West Magazine, July 2009
• Competition Spotlight, The Artist’s Magazine, April 2010
• Strategies to Organize the Elements of Your Paintings, Workshop Magazine, Fall 2010
• The Good Guys – Masculine portraits from six talented artists, Southwest Art Magazine, January 2011
• A Portrait Demonstration by William A. Schneider, OPA, PSA, International Artist Magazine, June / July 2012
• Painting With Light, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, September – October 2013
• Brushing Up, The Artists Magazine, June 2014
• Capturing Emotions, International Artist Magazine, June-July 2015
• To Blend or not to Blend, The Pastel Journal, Oct 2017
• Artistic Excellence, Southwest Art Magazine November 2018
• Reignite Your Creativity, The Pastel Journal October 2019
• Painting and Music: The mystical Connection, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, March 2020
• Copy From the Best, The Artists Magazine, February 2020
Life is an Adventure, Art of the West, January/February 2021
Snow Days, Plein Air Magazine, February-March 2022
The Long Game, The Artists Magazine, March / April 2022
Recent Awards
• Portrait Society of America “Members Only Show ” – (1st Place)
• Art Renewal Center (ARC) Competition – (Top 100)
• Portrait Society of America 6th Annual Portrait Competition, (Certificate Award)
• Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, Richland TN – (1st Place –Signature Artists)
• Pastel Society of America 38th Annual Pastels Only – (Salmagundi Award)
• Oil Painters of America 20th Annual National Juried Exhibition – (Presidents’ Award)
Oil Painters of America Online Competition 2012 – (2nd Place Signature Division)
• 27th Annual Bosque Art Classic – (John Steven Jones Purchase Award)
• Pastel Society of New Hampshire National Juried Show – (Best of Show)
• AANC National Juried Show – (1st Place)
• Emerald Art Center National Juried Show – (Gold Medal)
• Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional 2013 – (McBride Gallery Award of Excellence)
• International Association of Pastel Societies National Juried Exhibition – (Prix de Pastel [Best of Show])
• Pastel Society of New Hampshire National Juried Show – (Best of Show)
• 18th Annual Heartland National Exhibition – (Best of Show)
• 15th International Juried Exhibition “For Pastels Only” – (Best of Show)
• 20th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Artists of Northwest Arkansas – (Best of Show)
• International Association of Pastel Societies Juried Web Show - (Bronze Award)
• Old Post Office Museum and Art Center – (OPOMAC Award [First Place])
• Mile High National Juried Exhibition – (First Place)
• Arizona Pastel Society – (Best of Show)
• Bold Brush Competition – (Outstanding Pastel)
• OPA Eastern Regional 2017 – (Award of Excellence)
• Plein Air Salon – (Best Painting by an Artist Over 65)
• ARC 2018 – Finalist
• Plein Air Salon – (Best Pastel)
• NOAPS On–line 2018 (Best People)
• OPA National Exhibition 2018 – (Portrait Honorable Mention)
• OPOMAC National Exhibition – (Judges Choice Award)
• For Pastels Only National Exhibition – (3rd Place)
• OPA Salon Show 2018 – (Bronze Medal)
• Breckenridge National Juried Exhibition – (Best of Show)
• Degas Pastel Society 17th Biennial National Exhibition – (Award of Exceptional Merit [Best of Show])
• Pastel 100 – Pastel Journal 2019 – (Honorable Mention – Portrait & Figure)
• OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition, Masters Category – (Bronze Medal)
• Boldbrush Competition 2019 – (2nd Place)
• PSWC Members Competition – (Best of Show)
NOAPS, Best of America, 2020 (Best Use of Values)
Pastel Society of New Hampshire, Second Place
Art of the Heartland, Best of Show
