Bill started painting when he was 14. That was his job as an apprentice to the carriage-maker in the village in which he grew up. He painted the carriages with decorative doodles and scenes of country life. Bill’s interest in art began much earlier, though, when he met an itinerant painter. He introduced Bill to the wonders of painting. Bill was fortunate, as an apprentice, to be able to build on that introduction. It would serve him well for the rest of his life.

As the guns of the First World War pounded the countryside, the Russian army advanced on a small village in East Prussia.

Bill awoke that cold early morning to the sound of bleating.

Many thoughts went through Bill’s mind as the tramp steamer pulled into Halifax Harbor

There was something gnawing at Bill.

Bill was driving from Canada to Los Angeles. He had been on the road for hours when he saw the neon sign flashing “Vacancy”.

"It was four A.M. on an early February morning. "

"Maybe one of the reasons that landscapes are so popular is because living in the country is the most natural thing."

"Bill was feeling more and more uncomfortable every year, but he felt trapped in the city. "

"America is such a big, big country. It’s absolutely great, and I am not sure that all Americans realize that.” — Bill Alexander

“The land just roars on and on for miles and miles and then, in an instant, there are herds of antelope and swatches of green, places of water and trees."

"Bill and Margarete had been driving for hours."

"This land is so wonderful, and there is so much land on which to be free. "

"But I’m here! I’m an artist!”

"Every night there was just a bit different, but every night there was always spirit, enthusiasm, and energy for art."

Like geese that head south each year, Bill and Margarete returned to Los Angeles every Winter.