Master Counterfeiter Arthur J. Williams Turned World Renowned Artist Tells All

The Journey Told

Arthur J. Williams is a convicted counterfeiter originally from Chicago, one of the best in the world, known for replicating the unbreakable 1996 series $100 bill. After serving three prison sentences, he became a self-taught artist and owner of three art galleries, including his latest, DaVinci’s Gallery, in West Hollywood, California. His story is a testament to how his pursuit of money and mischief has shaped his art, which in turn helped rehabilitate his life as an international renowned artist.

Secret Service agents doggedly pursued Williams as he printed what some estimate to have been as much as $10 million in fake money before he eventually landed in federal prison for six and a half years. This was the third time he was incarcerated for his criminal exploits that have been covered in Rolling Stone, VICE, Gizmodo, Forbes and featured on American Greed.

This story probably sounds like the biography of a career criminal, but during that laststint behind bars, Art reinvented himself as a legit artist. Sticking to what he knew, Williams began painting old currency to pass his time, as well as reconnect to his artistic nature. He began reading books on Da Vinci and Michelangelo, and over time, mastered their techniques with his own personal ones. With his admiration for the ancient art of engraving still captivating him, his passion for ink transformed to oil, thus bringing him to create the masterful collection of currency on canvas and paper.

Since his July 23, 2013 release, Williams cleaned toilets, transported exotic cars, delivered liquor, and painted new construction. Rather than returning to the press, and just print the money to acquire his vision, Williams stayed true to the course and to success as an artist. Working during the day to pay the bills, and staying up late to perfect his craft, Art had a victory of sorts when his 5 Educational Series Bill Collection that he created in prison opened at a Chicago gallery, all selling modestly. Williams has created the 1875 Freedom Collection. This is a collection of currency that was printed in honor of the enactment of the civil liberties act. Within each bill’s design is a powerful, female character representing the strength of America.

In 2017, Williams used the profits from the sale of his paintings to open the first DaVinci’s Gallery in his home neighborhood of Bridgeport in Chicago. After the gallery shut down due to the COVID pandemic, Williams relocated to L.A. where he resides with his wife, Sarah, and two of his six kids and has his 3rd art gallery currently in Los Angeles.

Stay tuned for tips and advice on he shifted his life and for tips on can shift yours!

Show Highlights:

(13:28) I now have freedom

(22:57) Undestand The Real World To Accomplish Greatness

(28:52)) Mental Illness and Homeless

(31:20)Arnold Schwarzenegger and how he helped me

(40:10) Appreciate the darkness as its life teacher

(41:13) Ask yourself what is the lesson life is trying to teach you

Tell and Tell Secrets:

I am very spiritual. I pray deeply. I have a prayer that goes that like this. The faith of Abraham. The strength of Samson. The Heart of David. The Wisdom of Sololom, The patience of Job and the Will of my creator, my father in heaven.

Connect with Arthur Williams Jr on social media:

Instagram - @Arhturjwilliamsjr

Website- www.arthurjwilliamsjr.com

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