William Girard
June 8, 1940 - February 5, 2011
This is a sampling of the work of artist William Girard, of Royal Oak, Michigan. He was a much loved - and just as frequently reviled - Professor of Art at the Center for Creative Studies (now the College for Creative Studies) in Detroit, Michigan, where he taught for 30 years.
 Bill Girard circa 1981
Bill always swam against the art world tide. An autodidact with all of one semester's worth of post-secondary education, he simply refused to abandon his particular star, regardless of the riptides of trend and fashion that, for a time, attempted to smother all figurative artistry as archaic and meaningless.
Bill simply made the images he felt compelled to make. His lack of marketing acumen was more than offset by the support and respect he received from those who appreciated - treasured - his work and his artistic integrity.
He taught himself the techniques of past masters in oil, egg tempera, terra cotta, clay, wax, buon fresco and fresco secco. But he mixed those processes with a unique sense of rhythm and humor. Ultimately he produced objects that many of his collectors treasure as heirloom art. He shared his knowledge freely and gladly with any who cared to ask or listen.
Bill was a most unlikely master, humble as the earth he turned into sculpture or paintings and just as full of goodness and (artistic) nutrition. Yet, to some, his artwork seems literally magical.
Perhaps, with a bit of luck, Bill's oeuvre will become more widely available and appreciated. Multiple pieces of his work are shown or mentioned in the Autumn 2010 issue of the Detroit Home magazine article "Made to Treasure" by George Bulanda (pages 10 -12).
Meanwhile, the images shown here are just a poor first attempt to help an unpretentious master find a larger audience.
Should you have any work by William Girard, or personal insights about the artist, you are invited to share them with us, a small group of dedicated friends, collectors and admirers of the artist. Please contact gsmichaels@yahoo.com and enter William Girard on the subject line. 
Bill Girard and Glenn Michaels circa 2003 The images appearing here have been gathered from a variety of sources. The primary media are oil paint (paintings), terra cotta and bronze (sculpture), pen and pencil.
For more information about William Girard, see:
- Welcome, Tourist, to Eden, an article published in 2006 in the www.dogwoodjournal, . The article is reproduced in this site, as well. A bit more information can be gleaned from:
- The ClassicalArtist.com/blog/, wherein sculptor, architect, and artist Michael Curtis shares his research and insights into the work and life of our dear friend.
- A letter in defense of the artist, written to the Dean of the Center for Creative Studies, where Professor William Girard taught for approximately 30 years. That letter is reproduced within this site as well.
- Comments About William Girard
- Letters From William Girard
As time and opportunity allow, more information about the work and life of artist William Girard will be made available.
Bill Girard, with Mollie, at home. (Lilly Bell is hiding under the covers of Bill's bed on the second floor.) Circa 11/2009.
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