The Unbelievable Money-Making Journey of Arthur J. Williams Jr.
Arthur J. Williams Jr.’s criminal escapades are so wild that if you didn’t know better, you’d think they were scripted by Netflix on one of those late-night binges. But alas, Williams is not just a character in a dime-store novel; he’s a bona fide counterfeiter from Chicago, notorious for his astounding skill in replicating the notoriously “unbreakable” 1996 series $100 bill. After three delightful vacations in prison, he emerged not only as a self-taught artist but as the proud owner of three art galleries, including the chic DaVinci’s Gallery in West Hollywood.
Galleries: The New Hotspot for Criminals and Artsy Fartsy Types
Opened in June, DaVinci’s Gallery graces the fashionable corner of Melrose Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard, right where you’d expect the ghosts of the Kardashians might haunt. With its brick walls and a charming artist’s studio tucked away like a well-kept secret, the 4,000-square-foot space is evidence of how Williams’s complicated relationship with money has turned into art that basically screams, “Look at me, I’m reformed!”
The Man with a Plan—or Many Plans
At the ripe age of 48, Williams claims he tells the story of money—both the glamorous and the grim. Raised in Chicago’s gritty Bridgeport neighborhood, he didn’t exactly get the typical Ozzie and Harriet upbringing. His mother battled bipolar schizophrenia, while his father was busy racking up a prison resume for auto theft before deciding that family life wasn’t for him. Talk about familial bonding.
Masterclass on Hustling: From Hotwire to High Art
At the tender age of 15, Williams met a diner patron who dubbed him “da Vinci” because, like the original, he had a knack for creating masterpieces—only his involved a slightly more criminal curriculum. Here’s the catch: he learned the art of counterfeiting cash. By 19, he was managing his own printing operation, earning nice pocket change—about 30 cents on the dollar! Who knew he was an early entrepreneur?
Adventures in Counterfeiting 101
Fast forward to 1994 in small-town Texas, where our hero was nabbed for second-degree burglary. Released in ’96, he coincidentally decided to perfect the new $100 bill designed to thwart fabulous criminals like himself. He became so skilled that the money was accepted almost everywhere: think casinos, banks, and that sketchy corner deli where you get a sandwich after a long night out.
Because Who Needs Legal Cash, Right?
Not content to just sit back and count his faux riches, Williams embarked on shopping sprees at malls nationwide. With his counterfeit cash, he bought mundane items and donated them to the Salvation Army. Finally, a criminal with a heart! But alas, his luck ran out again when he was arrested for counterfeiting—yet somehow dodged serious charges due to a legal search blunder. It’s like life was throwing him curveballs paired with a documentary-worthy plotline.
A Second Act or Just a New Hustle?
Then came Alaska—a move to reconnect with his father, who inevitably joined the scheme. Because that’s how family bonding works when you’ve got a criminal background, right? Williams’s brush with the law continued until he was finally nabbed in 2002. Just in time for a three-year sentence, perfect if you want to brush up on your artistic skills while trading plastic for canvas in prison. And so the story goes: father and son behind bars, sharing a unique experience that most family vacations would envy.
The Redemption Story, with a Twist
Williams eventually transitioned from the clink to the canvas and had a series of “normal” jobs—because who wouldn’t want a former counterfeiter as a barista? However, his artistic talent caught the eye of others, leading him to his first exhibit in Chicago and eventually his West Hollywood gallery. Today, he showcases money-themed pieces that are both catchy and poignant, kind of like a dollar bill version of Andy Warhol meets Michelangelo. You know, just casually showcasing a $100 bill while portraying cultural icons.
So while you might be scouring YouTube for money-saving hacks, remember Williams’s journey from the streets of Chicago to the artsy avenues of L.A. Here’s a guy who walked out of prison with a mere twenty bucks and a dream, proving that even in a world begging for financial stability, creativity and reinvention can lead the way. Just don’t ask him for budgeting tips.
Visiting DaVinci’s Gallery
DaVinci’s Gallery is located at 8483 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, and is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. So if you’re in the neighborhood and want to bask in the glory of artistic redemption—or just gawk at former criminal ingenuity—now you know where to go. Who knows? Maybe you’ll leave with a multi-thousand-dollar piece, or at least a chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
