Artist Cecily Witcher continues to spread her vibrants wings
Cecily “Cee Cee” Witcher has an undeniable charisma that radiates joy — and her work is a true reflection of her character: vibrant and playful, featuring a vast variety of butterflies and subtle themes of transformation and rebirth, resilience, and renewal.
“I’m always cultivating my inner artist child,” says Witcher, who works in mediums including watercolor and acrylic, “and trying to be less of a perfectionist.”
Born in Greenville, Witcher spent most of her life in New York before returning to the Upstate a few years ago. She currently has a studio at the Greer Cultural Arts Center.
“I idolize Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Keith Harring,” Witcher says, referring to the pioneering American artists, “not necessarily for their art, but because of their mindsets. They were serious artists who always stayed true to their inner child.”
Witcher’s own joyful approach to life extends into teaching. She works with children through the SmartARTS program, and teaches at different schools.
“I love working with kids — they open my eyes up to so much,” she says.
The winged insects that have captivated Witcher have become her hallmark — and for good reason.
“I feel like butterflies will be my forever muse, and it’s because they mimic our own cycle of life,” says Witcher, who compares the insect’s not-so-beautiful caterpillar and cocoon phase to difficult phases in her own journey. “I’ve gone through some really hard times in my personal life. Basically, I went into hibernation and didn’t leave my apartment for four months. I was in the cocoon trying to get better. And then one day I woke up and went to Costa Rica for a healing trip — and that’s when I got my wings. I’m kind of obsessed with butterflies,” Witcher adds with a laugh.
Witcher is woven throughout the Upstate creative community. She sits on the board for Upstate Pride and will be teaching youth workshops at the Greenville Art Museum in July about the iconic artist David Drake, an enslaved person and a potter who created a culturally significant amount of beautiful pottery, a majority of which is owned by the Greenville Art Museum. Witcher will also be the arts and programming curator and director at the 2023 Juneteenth GVL MegaFest for the second year in row.
“Last year, we had artists from all over the region, and it was really phenomenal. So this year, I’m looking to step it up,” she says.
Experience Witcher’s stunning work and inspiring spirit for yourself this spring, where she’ll be a vendor at the ArtFields Festival in Lake City, and the Soiree Festival in Anderson, both in April.
“I love colors, I love rainbows and I enjoy symmetry and using fine lines. Sometimes it takes me months to do [works like] these, but those details are really important to me,” Witcher says. “More than anything, though, I love when people tell me that my work makes them so happy.”
