“I love watercolor—it’s a partnership with a Higher Power.
I take care of the layout, the details and the drawing, and HP handles the washes, the drips and the drabs, and the running colors. I love the mistakes. I love the great adventure of visualizing what I would like my painting to be, and then have it turn out entirely different from what I originally imagined. That is the great fun of painting for me,” said Willis.
“I’m fascinated by old buildings and signs. I feel the need to paint them before they all disappear. As a native Californian, I have seen far too many landmarks torn down and/or destroyed. Through my paintings, I hope to bring a new and deserved respect, awareness and attention to these old, familiar subjects before they are all gone.” She has captured many of the historic buildings around SCV in a lovely style, with genuine detail.
Willis has won numerous awards and has exhibited extensively throughout Southern California including the California Art Club, Santa Clarita Artists’ Association Art Classic and Lancaster Museum. You can view her art on www.cecilywillis.net
Willis grew up in the Fairfax/Hollywood area and lived in South Pasadena before she moved to the Santa Clarita Valley. She received a MFA in Painting from the Otis Art Institute and has been a professional artist for over 40 years in the fields of textile design, fashion illustration, and newspaper and corporate graphic design.
“I am proud to say that I was an advertising artist for the Los Angeles Times during their heyday.” She adds, “I am very grateful for my commercial art background. I hope that I convey the same kind of commitment, devotion and integrity in my own personal work that I gave to my commercial art clients.” Now retired and living in Newhall, Willis is devoting free time to painting and grand-parenting.