William Washington "Wash" Girard was born on Sycamore Creek in Cheatham County, Tennessee in 1873. Although little information about his childhood survives, it is known that he began painting when he was seven years old. He chewed the ends of broomstraws to create paintbrushes and used the juices of berries for paint.

After graduating from Pleasant View County High School, Girard began working odd jobs for Major E. C. Lewis, a mill superintendent. With the help of Lewis and a Kentucky landscape artist, Girard traveled to New York City to study under marine painter Edward Moran. After a year or two the death of his girlfriend prompted him to make his way home. He paid for his return trip with money earned from sales of his paintings. ...