William Cochran is an American artist who specializes in creating elaborate works of public art. He prefers working in paint, glass, bronze, masonry, steel, and light. He is known and well regarded for embracing both traditional and modern artistic techniques and media. Depending on the location of a given project, Cochran strives to embed features and aspects of the community into his work. Weaving elements of local history, society, geography, and architecture are common motifs. Many of his projects require lengthy and careful planning stages, and he often works with architects and city planners. Sources for his commissions range from private individuals to non-profits and government agencies. He is also one of the more prominent trompe l'oeil artists in the United States. The term, "trompe l'oeil," refers to a method of painting that tricks the eye into believing the painting is three-dimensional, presenting the depth and dimensions of perspective that were popular with the great Renaissance masters. 

Cochran is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Award for Excellence from the National Glass Association, the Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association, and the Core Values Award from the International Association of Public Participation. His efforts in Frederick, Maryland helped earn that city the Great American Main Street Award in 2005. His work in other cities, such as St. Louis, have contributed to other awards and major city revitalization programs and projects.

In 2008 he was busy at work on projects in eight American cities, including works in glass in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., urban art trails in New York State, and other locations where public art is a major focus. Regarded by peers and colleagues as a "gifted teacher," Cochran frequently presents workshops for artists and lectures on his theories and life's work. Sheri Hoeger, the director of Big Oak Arts in Placerville, California, writes that Cochran "will make you laugh. He may make you cry," and that he is "an empowering message of hopefulness with a vision of building a community."

The textbook, Timeline of Artists and Art, published in 2003, names Cochran as "a significant figure in contemporary public art in North America. Cochran's stated goal as a teacher is "to meet each painter where they are, and help them awaken new and unsuspected levels of ability," and that "We all think we know how to see properly, especially artists, and we cling stubbornly to this belief. However, learning to see differently, learning to see more accurately, learning to notice the truth and what we are seeing -- this comes as a powerful revelation -- especially for artists."