Lucy Willis, born in 1954, is deeply influenced by her grandfather, H. M. Bateman, an illustrious English illustrator who devoted himself to painting to explore light, shadow, and movement. These themes are central to Willis's work, which excels in capturing nuances of light and atmosphere, particularly through her travels and stays on the island of Gozo, a place of familial significance.
Willis's art is distinguished by her ability to capture meteorological variations and light effects, offering emotional vistas of places like Aleppo, Jerusalem, and Gozo. She uses light and shadow to give depth and content to her watercolors, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature and architecture. Her approach goes beyond simple composition, integrating elements and contrasts as vehicles for emotion and narrative.
Starting from a self-portrait created in 1972, Willis has evolved her depiction towards natural and architectural scenes, exploring light and color in varied contexts, from Tunisia to Israel. Her works reflect an intimate connection with her surroundings, capturing the everyday and the majestic with a sensitivity that crosses cultures and landscapes. This artistic journey has earned her international recognition, celebrating the richness and diversity of human experience through the prism of her unique art.