Cecily Willis, Santa Clarita Artists Association member, will be exhibiting a show titled “Sacred Ordinariness,” at Fast Frame.

“I love watercolor—it’s a partnership with a higher power. I take care of the layout, the details and the drawing, and the HP handles the washes, the drips and the drabs, and the running colors,” said Willis. “I love “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.”

Willis has captured many of the historic buildings around SCV in a lovely style, with genuine detail.

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“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 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,” Willis said.

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.

She grew up in the Fairfax 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.

Now retired and living in Newhall, Willis is devoting free time to painting and grand parenting.

“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 give to my commercial art clients,” she said.

Willis’ art exhibit, “Sacred Ordinariness,” will be on display at Fast Frame, located at 24204 Valencia Blvd. A free artist’s reception will be held on June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.