Simon Williams was born in Dunedin in 1961. He grew up in Mosgiel serving an apprenticeship in horticulture and landscape gardening. During the 1980s Simon lived and worked in Europe where he began painting. By 1989 he was living in Sydney and working as a self- taught professional artist, greatly influenced by the early Australian impressionist painters of the Heidelberg School. His work sold well and he won prizes and commendations at Art Society and Municipal Art shows including a first at Ryde and Parramatta Art award.

Living in Auckland since 1994 Simon exhibits annually with International Art Centre. Simon's work has featured in every edition of New Zealand's Favourite Artists and hangs in embassies and collections worldwide.