William Winter became best known for his paintings of children, which he often painted playing or engaged in everyday activities in an urban setting. Scenes of children playing baseball or hockey, riding bicycles, skating, skipping, playing with pets, going to the beach and reading are common. He also painted child ballet dancers or simple portraits of children, focusing on their faces.
Living in Toronto from the 1940s onwards, Bill Winter became known in the 1950s for his lively city scenes, many depicting children in a modern realist style. His subjects also include portraits, figures and the prairie landscape.
He portrayed his subjects in a social realist, yet romantic and nostalgic style, using a palette of bright colours and skin tones
William Winter’s works are held in numerous public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Art Gallery of Hamilton, and Vancouver Art Gallery. His works are also held widely in corporate and private collections.