Willy Clark started drawing at an early age. He was influenced by his older sister Carolyn, and his high school art teacher, Ms. Sheridan. He started out with pencil drawings and sketches and worked hard at becoming better to the point that his teachers named him a "Class Artist". As a high school student, Willy did artwork for the school newspaper and the annual yearbook. He was also the first and only male cheerleader in Ione's History.

While training to be a Jet Engine Mechanic in the United States Air Force, Willy started pin striping cars and painting pictures on cars during his off-duty time. He did pin striping work for the 1st Sargent and other officers. He also learned calligraphy to perfect lettering on cars.

After his military career, Willy continued learning new art techniques and is a self-taught painter of oil paintings and water colors. He has sold many of his oil paintings to feed his hobby and continues to learn exciting new techniques.

Willy retired in 2000 and has amassed several new paintings and black-ink drawings with a focus on the Landscapes and Landmarks of Amador County and the surrounding areas. He is inspired to continually learn and execute on new techniques.