Shelling Peas, 1979 by William Winter is an oil on canvas board painting measuring 12 x 16 inches. 

William Arthur Winter (1909–1996) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and displayed artistic talent from a young age. He studied at the Winnipeg School of Art under Frank Johnston and Lionel LeMoine Fitzgerald from 1923 to 1929, gaining a foundation in both technical skill and observational painting. Early in his career, Winter worked in commercial art at Brigden’s in Winnipeg, where he created illustrations and designs while continuing to pursue fine art on the side.

In 1937, Winter moved to Toronto, where he became a prominent figure in the Canadian art scene. In 1942, he co-founded the advertising firm Wookey, Winter, Bush, producing illustrations for publications like New World Illustrated. By 1955, he transitioned fully into independent painting, focusing on urban scenes, portraits, and nostalgic depictions of childhood and domestic life. His style is known for its warmth, careful composition, and rich color palette, often reflecting his own memories and experiences. Winter also taught at the Ontario College of Art and the Artist’s Workshop in Toronto and completed numerous mural commissions, while traveling internationally to capture life abroad in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Mexico.