Temecula artist Janice Cipriani-Willis doesn’t need to go very far to be inspired — all she has to do is step outside her door and the rural jewels of Dorland Mountains Arts Colony greet her.
"Between Flights" by Janice Cipriani-Willis (Courtesy image)
“I love it. The oak trees, the sun going down over the hills. It’s beautiful,” Cipriani-Willis said.
Cipriani-Willis lives at the mountain retreat perched above Highway 79 South just outside of Temecula, along with her husband artist-in-residence Robert Willis.
She said she is happy that her surroundings allow her to become fully immersed in her craft.
Read: Local residents discover Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
While Cipriani-Willis’ work can be viewed at Fallbrook Brandon Gallery, her intimate watercolor portraits are also set for exhibit at Gallery at The Merc later this week.
Cipriani-Willis began her art education by earning a B.A. in Fine Arts from California State University, Los Angeles.
She said that painting has a been lifelong pursuit that she shelved only briefly to raise her children. Her work, since that time, has continued to evolve.
“What I am most interested in is showcasing light and its relationship to the subject matter. I like to contrast light and dark,” she said.
Focusing primarily on portraits, Cipriani-Willis said she will often take photos of some unsuspecting person to capture a moment.
“I am fascinated by people’s expressions. I am attracted to people from all walks of life — rich, poor, young old. I almost feel like a voyeur into their lives when I paint them, like I know them in some way. I try to capture expressions of intensity,” Cipriani-Willis said.
The opportunity to show at The Merc is fortunate, Cipriani-Willis said, adding that a sluggish economy has slowed business for many local artists.
Cipriani-Willis said: “It would be nice to see even more of the arts in our community.”
An opening reception for Cipriani-Willis is planned from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 at The Merc, located at 42051 Main Street, Temecula.
The show runs through Jan. 6.
To learn more, visit www.temeculatheater.org.
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.
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