Herb Willey’s first structured art lessons were in high school in Miami,
Florida. While serving in the Navy, Herb attended the University of
Hawaii as a part-time art student After leaving the
Navy he attended USL at Lafayette, Louisiana on scholarship as a fine
art major with a minor in advertising art. While attending USL, Herb
worked as staff artist at the Daily Iberian in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Herb’s collage work was selected by the Louisiana State Art Commission
in 1963 for a 1-year traveling exhibit in all the Louisiana State Art
Museums. His acrylic paintings of Louisiana swamp scenes were chosen
by the LaSalette Hospital Board to decorate their hospital in Loreauville,
LA. As a self-employed designer from 1965-2003, Herb won awards from
companies including Mercury Outboard Motors and Cook Chemical
Company. His primary watercolor art instruction was with the well known
New Orleans watercolor artist, Harrel Gray and his work was on display
at the Old Quarter Gallery in the French Quarter during the 90’s.
Herb is a full-time Bay St Louis resident. His work is displayed at Gallery
220 in Bay St Louis. Recently his watercolor pieces have been juried and
honored in regional shows including the Arts of Hancock County, The
Gulf Coast Art Association Annual Shows and the River Road Show in
Baton Rouge. He has also been featured in local venues including the
Hancock County Courthouse, the Bay St Louis Mayor’s Office and
the Diamondhead Library. Most recently he was a guest artist at the
“Whimsies” annual art show and sale in New Orleans and was voted
“The Peoples Choice” artist at the Arts of Hancock Invitational Juried Show
at the Waveland City Hall Gallery.