Although he did study in Paris, Wood prefered to paint his native Iowa. He favored the use of competitions to encourage growth in art. It was one such competition at the Art Institute of Chicago that earned the 38-year-old Wood fame when his American Gothic was awarded a bronze medal.

Contrary to popular belief, this most parodied of all paintings does not portray a husband and wife. It is a highly symbolic depiction of a protective father and his daughter. The protective nature of the pitchfork is so strong that it is mirrored in the man’s overalls.  (Wood's sister and dentist posed for the painting.)

When Wood was commissioned to construct and stained-glass window for the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Building, he traveled to Germany to learn the technique. A dedication was not conducted for the window, however, when it occurred to members of the Legion and the DAR that the materials had come from our country’s recent enemy. In response, Wood painted Daughters of Revolution.

Wood’s sense of humor is evident in works such as Parson Weem’s Fable.

His style is easily recognized by the high point of view, the overlapping hills and the balloon-shaped trees.