William Cummins believes that art can be created not only by reflecting nature, but also by reflecting nature's processes. For instance, one of nature's most fundamental processes is crystallization, which involves elements repeating themselves. Although the repeated element is the same, it is not exactly the same, it has some uniquely different aspects than its predecessor. Thus, the end result is aesthetically satisfying. Cummins creates to make visible the underlying, hidden aspects of physical reality.

Born in the Bronx in 1929, William Cummins grew up in New York City where he attended the High School of Industrial Arts. He began his career in commercial arts as an apprentice in an art studio, and for a period of forty years worked in production, design, art direction and illustration. Retiring in 1991, Cummins moved to Colorado to work as a full time artist.