HERBERT R. WILLIAMS is from Independence, Missouri. He received his B.A. in Art Education from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa in 1968. Earlier that same year his work was entered in the Christian Art Associates, 'Signs in Cloth', National Tour Exhibition.
 

Between July, 1968 and January, 1972 Mr.Williams performed as an illustrator for the U.S. Army Security Agency where he was honorably discharged with numerous commendations.
Since September, 1972 Mr. Williams has taught art : 3 years at Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri, 2 years at the Orange School District in Orange, NJ, one year at the Burbank School District in Burbank, CA , and also 2 years at the Glendale School District in Glendale, CA. He joined the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1983. First as a substitute teacher and finally full time at Los Angeles High School in September 1985. Mr. Williams teaches art fundamentals in Design-Crafts and Introduction to Art and in January 1987 he introduced a new beginning course in Printmaking. In September 1988 he became a stalwart member of a new HUMANITAS program (an interdisciplinary approach to teaching) which continues to enrich students with critical thinking skills and college preparatory writing. This program is sponsored by the Los Angeles Educational Partnership funded by the Ford Foundation has expanded to more high schools within the district.

Personally, Mr. Williams has over the years developed and refined his painting skills. He has been an Associate Member of the National Watercolor Society and has submitted work annually for consideration. Since 1989, Mr. Williams has exhibited his work in numerous outdoor shows in the Los Angeles area. His exhibitions in galleries have included: the Lesile-Lohman Gallery of New York City, Central Park Gallery in Pasadena, California, the W.G. Stills Art Center, Googlemockers Gallery, the Fine Art Pavilion, the Eighth Muse Gallery, and the Six Gallery all of Los Angeles and the California State University, Student Union and Border's Bookstore in Westwood. Mr. Williams has also been deeply involved for the past 2 years with the 'Roger D. Arthur Art Coalition at the USC-LAC County Hospital (General Hospital). This hospital handles the largest number of HIV affected patients in the L.A . area. The Coalition involves artists affected by HIV to continue painting and display their work. Exhibits are hung every three months and serves as a positive and working environment for patients and HIV artists. Mr. Williams lost a long time significant other to AIDS in 1991 and has painted several pieces illustrating the effects of this disease on his life.

Mr. Williams' philosophy is very simple. He believes that :"Art is a way of life that consumes all and that not only affects the work but the artist as well in his every thought and action".