John "Will" William Vawter

John William Vawter (13 Apr 1871–11 Feb 1941), from Greenfield, Indiana, was an American landscape artist and illustrator known for his broad strokes and loose Impressionist style.[1]

Early life and education

Named John William Vawter at birth, Vawter was known as Will Vawter both personally and professionally. Vawter was born in Boone County, West Virginia on April 13, 1871. He moved with his family to Greenfield, Indiana, at age six. While living in Greenfield, Vawter developed a close working relationship with poet James Whitcomb Riley, another resident of Greenfield.

Artistic career

Vawter illustrated eleven volumes of James Whitcomb Riley poems. His illustrations often used local residents as models. His work was widely celebrated and he exhibited at the Hoosier Salon and the Brown County Art Gallery Association where he won prizes in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932 and 1935.[2] He was married to Mary Vawter, an accomplished poet and landscape artist. The couple divorced in 1923. Vawter moved to Nashville, Indiana, to join the Brown County Art Colony permanently in 1908. He had two residences in the area, one a studio in town, the other a 57 acres (23 hectares) estate about a half mile outside of Nashville. Vawter was a pioneer member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association.

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Vawter