Drawing on location, William Crook Jr. is a familiar sight along Springfield streets and Sangamon County roads. His landscapes and city scenes show his love of neighborhood and bioregion.

A native of Springfield, Bill received his Bachelors in art from the University of Illinois at Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University) and completed two years of graduate study in painting and printmaking at Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois.

Crook has published several books of his art including a hand-printed collection of forty-four cityscapes entitled Springfield, Illinois. He does his printing on a Vandercook proofing press using photoengraving plates that are made from his pen and ink originals. Crook's work has attracted much local attention, and in October, 1982, he was featured in the A Week-end Journal section of the Springfield State Journal Register. In October 1997 Illinois Times featured his artwork and activism in Springfield.

Bill has produced a series of prints detailing architecture of the Illinois State Capitol. More recently he has produced a series of prints depicting historical sites along "Route 66". Over the past two decades, Crook has developed a rich reputation as an Illinois artist, chronicling 20th century American life with his superb draftmanship.

Institutions commissioning Crook's work include the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Secretary of State's Office, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Illinois Supreme Court and many others.

To discuss commissioned works, Bill can be reached by phone at 217.522.3372 or by mail at: 945 S. 1st Street, Springfield, IL 62704 USA

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Last Modified: July 19, 2000