William Acheff was born in Alaska and moved with his family to San Francisco at the age of five. He resided in the Bay Area for twenty years and began painting in 1969 when, working as a barber, he met famed artist Roberto Lupetti from Italy. Acheff studied under his tutelage and was soon hailed as a young prodigy in the art community. Acheff moved to Taos, New Mexico in 1973, where his training as a classical painter fused with his inspirational ideas. He is highly regarded for his rich depiction of Native American artifacts. Acheff is a two-time Prix de West Award winner, 1989 and 2004, and he received the distinguished Masters of America West Purchase Award in 1998.