Don Watson Art

Don's Still Life's week 10 - 16 APR, 2006

2006-04-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

All,
this week I decided to set up my own still life's at my home.

Rose with Sea Shell's
Pastel
22" x 28"
(This is Pat Bessey's Rose given to me at 4T's class)

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Don's Livingroom
Pastel
22" x 28"

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Nude Statue with Still Life
Pastel
22" X 28"
This is a "take-off" of Amedeo Modigliani's Caryatid

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Still Life #12
Pastel
22" x 28"

Some Comments from last week:

Don - I especially like the item entitled "still Life #6". Love the colors and mood.

grins
Alana Dill

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I absolutely love Still Life #6! There is something about it which makes me think of jewelry.

Perhaps it is just the season, but, as much as I liked the next four, I just couldn't help thinking of Easter eggs.

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Don, your work has gotten better, improved since last time I saw it, that's awesome! I hope you don't take that the wrong way, because I liked it before, too, and never noticed anything wrong with it, but I noticed something really striking about where your work is going, about the quality of poetry/emotion in these pieces and your technique, or style seems more mature, like you hit the core of something. How much to draw, paint? Your work has a really nice quality to it, like you are at home with it.
Very lovely to be here now with you sharing this process. Thank you for inspiring me.
Love Mercy

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These are great! I really love still life #6. Your use of color is fabulous. You have such a unique style, and such a fresh outlook on a sometimes tired subject (stilll lifes). You continue to push yourself and tackle different subjects and approaches. I admire you for that, and it inspires me to do more!
At the reception Fri, I talked to the woman who bought your painting from the Cat's Meow show. She was talking about how much she loves to look at it, and how happy it makes her feel. That, to me, is the essence of art.
Chris

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Dear Don,

I really liked your still life's. They almost had the feel of the South Sea islands about them; food that people would eat as well as paint. Nicely done.

Tom B.

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DON, DID YOU DO THESE???? They are beautiful. Hope to see you soon,
love ya
vicki

Paul Cézanne still life study

2006-04-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life--including ourselves.
- Julia Cameron

Paul Cézanne still life study

Still Life #6 (flowers in vase)
pastel
22" x 28"

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Still Life #7 (flower in vase)
pastel
22" x 28"

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Still Life #8 (Watermelon with glass)
pastel
22" x 28"

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Still Life #9 (cherries)
pastel
22" x 28"

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Still Life #10 (fruit in basket)
pastel
24" x 36"

Still Life

2006-03-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

All,
I'm really having fun exploring Paul Cézanne's still life works. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I like making them.

Don Watson
http://donwatsonart.blogspot.com/

"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God."
- Julia Cameron

Still Life # 4
Pastel
22" x 28"

Still Life # 5
Pastel
22" x 28"

Still Life # 3
Oil Pastel

"Horror vacui — fear of emptiness

2006-03-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

Gardens and Flowers Blog is below. This is Part two of that blog with some back and forth correspondence about Horror Vacui with Ken pasted below.

Figure with Composition
Pastel
22" x 28"

Iris 2006
Pastel
22" x 28"

Thanks, Don. I like these new pieces. Seems like you are finding your own creative voice. They are especially interesting in light of the discussion some of us (Tony, Mercy, e.g.) I have been having about pictorial space in the past couple of days. It's made me have another look at your other works too, to verify my impressions.

You didn't ask for feedback, but permit me to make a couple of comments, more of the perceptual kind than the judgmental sort.

Your work usually references things from the real world - flowers, people, coffee mugs, pills and such. It also uses graphic symbols and patterns such as spirals, logos and the like. But I notice that the spatiality in all of them is quite consistently similar. Not hard to discern that the same person did all of them.As Cezanne was quoted as saying in later life, "It has taken me 40 years to learn that painting is not sculpture." I think you understand this instinctively. There is rarely any "negative space" in your work; the overall form of everything seems knit together in a relatively shallow - yet restless - picture space (i.e., rarely any references to deep space or solid forms set against "emptiness").

This got me to thinking about your adaptations from works by other artists, and the kinds of choices you've made with those. I.e., when you start with a model that's already flattened and pre-composed in a certain way (The Scream, e.g.), there is a kind of mindset that comes with that. But it's an interesting question about which came first, the chicken or the egg? I.e., did you pick those works because of your prior sensibility, or did your spatial sense grow out of working with such examples? Probably a bit of each, I'd guess.Anyway, you are very aware about how to activate a surface, and send the eye around on a trip; your stuff always has that feeling of freshness. Keep on keepin' on,KPPs. Question: I'm curious about your use of color, which suggests to me that you are also musical. Is that true?

Ken,
In reference it your question.

Ps. Question: I'm curious about your use of color, which suggests to me that you are also musical. Is that true? I do love to sing a long with music, even in public places. I did play the trumpet when I was in High School, but never had talent, only skill after playing for 6 years Much Like Cezanne's quote only talent v.s. skill instead of painting v.s. sculpture. My good friend Tony Hall calls my work horror vacui. Below is what I found on the interesting subject.

Feel free to post this email to the group.
Don
horror vacui - The compulsion to make marks in every space. Horror vacui is indicated by a crowded design. In Latin, it is literally, "fear of empty space" or "fear of emptiness." Some consider horror vacui one of the principles of design. Those who exclude it from their list of principles apparently interpret it as possessing an undesirable, perhaps obsessive quality, in contrast to the desirable, controlled principle of limitation, or perhaps to that of emphasis or dominance. (pr. horror vack'wee)
Example:
Richard Dadd (British, 1817-1886), The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke, 1855-64, oil on canvas, 54.0 x 39.4 cm, Tate Gallery, London. After murdering his father in 1843, Dadd was diagnosed as insane and spent the rest of his life in asylums. Cut off from the outside world, he produced a series of paintings which combine a remarkable attention to detail with an individual, manic intensity. The horror vacui seen in Dadd's pictures may be a result of his severe mental illness. See art brut.
Quote:
"Horror vacui Â fear of emptiness Â is the driving force in contemporary American taste. Along with the commercial interests that exploit this interest, it is the major factor now shaping attitudes toward public spaces, urban spaces, and even suburban sprawl."Herbert Muschamp, contemporary architecture critic, New York Times, August, 21, 2000. See architecture and taste.

Gardens and Flowers

2006-03-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

All,
I have been working on some garden scapes and flowers for the last two weeks. The Artist Gallery is having a Garden and Flower show. I have also been studing some works of Paul Cézanne, spicifically still life. I have also been dabaling into some compisition work, trying to use my works in Figure Drawing Class and insert composition into the drawing. Hope you enjoy looking at these works as much as I did making them.

Gardens and Flowers
April 7 - May 6, 2006Judged for Awards, an exhibition of fine art, celebrating the Virginia Garden Club Open House Tours with paintings by regional artists. Joan McConnell Memorial Award for Best in Show. Opening reception on Friday, April 7th, 2006 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Award ceremony 7:30 pm.

Still Life
Pastel
22" x 28

Iris Garden
Pastel
22" x 28

Still Life II
Pastel
22" x 28

The Dream (Narcolepsy)
Pastel
22" x 28"

"The refusal to be creative is and act of self-will and is counter to our true nature. When we open up to our creativity, we are opening up to God: good, orderly direction. As we pursue our creative life fillivement, all elements of our life move toward harmony. As we strengthen our connection to the cCreator within. Artists love other artists. Our relationship to God is co-creative, artist to artist. It is God's will for us to live in creative abundance." - Julia Cameron

Abstract, Yoga and Kitchen Sink

2006-03-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

This Abstract is hard to photograph due to flashback from silver color.

Abstract 2006(sliver)
30"x40"

Abstract II, 2006 (silver)
16"x20"

Yoga 2006
18"x24"

Kitchen Sink
18"x24"

Figure Drawing 2006

2006-03-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

Results from last week's Figure Drawing. Some good, some bad.

Don
"My dreams come from God and God has the power to accomplish them."

More Cat's, More Black & White Figures

2006-02-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

This week more Cats and Figure Drawing on Black Paper.

Cat II (2006); Green Eyes
White and Gray pastel on Black Paper
22" x 28

Cat with Goldfish II (2006)
Pastel on Pastel Sand paper
22" x 28"

Lovers I (2006)
Pink and Light Blue Pastel on Black Paper
22" x 28"

Lovers II (2006)
Pink and Light Blue Pastel on Black Paper
22" x 28"

Black and White nude II(2006)
White Pastel on Black Paper
22" x 28"

Black and White nude III(2006)
White Pastel on Black Paper
22" x 28"

Cat Show

2006-02-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

All,
I've been getting ready for the Cat Show at the Artist Gallery. Opening night is Friday, from 6 pm to 9pm, 10MAR, 2006. A CATegorically exquisite exhibition of feline art by 50 local artists. Cat attire welcomed at the reception. No Dogs Allowed. This is our anual fundraiser for the Virginia Beach SPCA. Admission fee: one tin of cat food. PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS. ***********************************************************************************

Cat (2006)
Acrylic
16" x 20"

Cat with Goldfish
Pastel
unframed at this time estmatied size 30" x 40"

Body and Hands
Pastel

Peeping Tom
Paper Cut
22" x 28"

White Horse
Pastel
22" x 28"

Figure Drawing
white chalk on black paper
22" x 28"

Nude #1
Pastel
22" x 28

Paper Cut #2 plus week 22 - 28 JAN 2006

2006-01-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

Black and Blue #1 & #2

Figure Study (Jam....) 2006

*********************************************VABEACH Sea Life 2006

Venus Flytrap

Paper Cut's by Don (part 1)

2006-01-27T05:56:00.000-08:00

Note from Chris Y.

2006-01-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

Don, I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. I really enjoyed seeing you and meeting so many of your friends. Many of them looked familiar in some way (imagine that!) yet I had not actually met them before. The food and drink was great and the setting was really nice. It was like inviting your friends inside your world. So different from a "traditional" retirement party.

It was good to see Hershel too. I'm glad that he got to grow up with some recovery around him these last years. He's seen bad times and a whole lot better times. Thats a good thing for a child I think. He knows what it took for positive changes to take place. He knows that you have to work for the things you want in life. He knows that some things that people want have nothing to do with Nike, General Motors, or Eminem. He knows that time does heal. He knows that out of adversity can come great reward. You are a teacher, imagine that.
I listened to his Mother say to you: thank you for inviting me, i'm really glad I came, congratulations, I'm really proud of you. And regardless of anything in the past, and anything going on now, that helped me a lot to be there and to hear her, and to watch your reaction, and to know that God is in his Heaven, inside each one of us, and we are trying as hard as we can, and we fail, and we succeed, and he still loves us. The closer we draw near to Him, the more is revealed.

There is a body of spiritual work, called "A Course in Miracles." It's weird and from the first word caused me to immediately stretch, to see things differently. Anyway, I could ramble on forever, but for some reason I am very in touch this morning with what the "Course," refers to, in it's Manual for Teachers, as "the tiny mad idea." The use of the word mad, in this context, means CRAZY. And it indicates that the tiny mad idea that each of us has is that we are seperate from God. From that tiny mad idea, it indicates, stems all our difficulty in life.
And when I ask myself this morning, "How willing are you today Chris, to draw nearer to God, to work on eliminating whatever seperateness exists?" My honesty allows me to acknowledge that I am only slightly willing. After 19 years in recovery mind you. Maybe a 4 on a 10-point scale. Meaning I am THAT attached to the other things I am doing in and with my life. I saw the group last night as just a bunch of fellow travelers. When I am in the process of talking to you and listening to you and caring about you and loving you, I don't think or feel I am seperate from God. So thanks for inviting me, it helped me a lot. I care about you very much and love you. You are to me, borrowing the words of someone else, "convicing by your own transparency to all men of good will." Chris

Other works these last two weeks of 2005

2005-12-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Artist Gallery Show Entries

2005-12-30T14:24:00.000-08:00

Fabulous Forgeries

2005-12-18T11:54:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
I have been getting ready for the Artist Gallery's Fabulous Forgeries show (6 January, 2006). I think it's the best show in Virginia Beach. Last year I couldn't participate because I was in a "Dark night of the Soul" .....if you know what I mean.

Here are my "Matisse cutout style" I have been working on. These are my studies of Matisse's work and have been working on some "Picasso cutout style" art. Clearly marked are my Fabulous Forgery entries.

Quote of the week: "It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look."
St. Francis of Assisi

Don

Title: Dance and praise G.O.D.
Medium: Paper Cutout

Fabulous Forgeries

Blue Nude (paper cutout) H.M.
Headed for the Fabulous Forgeries show at the Artist Gallery on 06 January 2006

Le Lanceur De Coteaux (chalk pastel on paper)
Also headed for the Fabulous Forgeries show at the Artist Gallery on 06 January 2006

Picasso Style

untitled so far....

Artist Gallery Studio pix

2005-12-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

New Studio and E-book Cover Art

2005-12-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

All,
I moved into my new studio at the Artist Gallery Thursday night and sold a drawing the first day. This event is coming on the heels of the show last weekend in which I sold 3 paintings (this weeks sold works are posted on my blog). I have been asking for guidance each morning in my journal from the Great Creator. I have been "acting as if" or some would say "fake it till you make it". This move to the Artist Gallery seems to be within the will of G.O.D. (Good Orderly Direction). I pray that I can continue to work at my art full time after retirement. With my retirement pay and the V.A. income, hopefully I can continue to paint and work out of the Artist Gallery. I will post pictures of my studio later this week on my blog.
I also received an offer to paint a cover for an E-book from the publisher/owner of Twisted Shift . She called me and asked if I would read the short story Blood Drive by Robyn Hernandez and paint an inspired cover for the book. It's a short story about vampires (see inspired cover painting below). I have read many Ann Rice novels in my day; but I haven't read a novel since I started painting in 2001. Reading tends to put my art to sleep, which is to say I don't paint as much when I read for long periods at a time. I'm glad it was a very good short story.

Blood Drive
Pastel

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She Sleep's 2005

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Nude DEC 2005

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Using the Steps (with AA symbol)

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Blue Nude 2005
pastel

Other Works this Week 14-20 NOV 2005

2005-11-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

Blue X
Pastel

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She's Transformed
Pastel

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Lover's #2
Pastel

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Sleep Transforms
Pastel

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Transformation
Pastel

Email note from Ken Paul:
Enjoyed visiting your blogspot, Don. I agree with others that it was probably a good thing not to plug into classes and workshops too much while you were developing your own voice. You obviously have "teachers" (Picasso, etc.) but mostly by way of your being able to look for the essences of their achievements and learn from that. Whether the time ever comes that you feel the need for some theory or more structured tutelege, I cannot say - only you can do that. But for now, your instincts are carrying you very nicely, and this gives your work an impactful immediacy. The images are not packed full of information that takes a long time to sort through visually (which is how MY work tends to be, I think), but they function in an open-ended psychospiritual fashion. Viewing your work is like looking at an aspect of oneself. (Which is an interesting bit of wordplay in our language, it suddenly strikes me - One SELF!)
Thanks
Ken

"Art in the Atrium" show

2005-11-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

All,
If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend, there will be a "Art in the Atrium" show at the The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. Hours are from 10-5 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday, November 26-27. Location is 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Many local artist are participating in this holiday shopping event (see billing and artists names below). I've added my name to the list of artists showing. Hampton Road's friends and fellow artists stop in and say hello.

Title: Don's Transformation (Self-portrait )
Insight of this painting: I started painting 4 years ago as a means to heal my broken spirit. Last night the discussion came up about Spiritual Bankruptcy. I know these words all to well. My sponsor and spiritual advisors Pat referred to the words Spiritual Bankruptcy like a horse with a broken spirit. That's what it was like for me when I started painting. Some how art was healing my broken spirit and transforming my broken life into something meaningful. Finishing up 21 years in the Navy, I seem to be transforming/transitioning into civilian life. Transitioning from providing security to billion dollar submarines to working in an art studio and creating art.
Medium: Chalk Pastel

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Title: The Lovers
Medium: Chalk Pastel

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Title: Blue Nude III (inspired by Picasso)
Medium: Chalk Pastel

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Title: Blue Nude IV (inspired by Picasso)
Medium: Acrylic

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Don Watson

"Art in the Atrium", let me know if you need more information.

"Art in the Atrium"
November 26 , 10am-5pm
November 27, noon-5pm
FREE and open to the public
Don't miss THE holiday shopping event of the season!
Fifty-two artists and retailers will be selling unique art, craft and gift items. Enjoy holiday music and complimentary refreshments. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists while you find the perfect gifts for your friends and family this holiday season. Free and open to the public!
Participating Artists include:
Raymond Atkinson
Jan Barco
Jill Beard
Whitney Booze
Irmaly Brackin
Susana Brown
Natasha Caine
Andrew Carney
Ellie Cesario
Debra Chako
John Crutchfield
Gail Cunningham
Greg Dagres
Diane Dennis
Sarah DeSpain
Laura Ellison
Pat Ellison
Sylvain Gagnon
Joan Geller
Constance Guerra
Lynn Harrisberger
Alysa Heller
Lesley Hildreth
Diane Husson
Burt Jones
Cindy Lackore
Betty Leonard
Susan Malakooti
Barbara and Fred Mason
Teri McCrackin
Bruce McGarry
Celine Meador
Tricia Merritt
Christina Moscone
Brian Murphy
Bob Nixon
Marian Rose Pacsuta
Beeb Page
Theresa Parsons
Gail Price
Kim Proffit
Katie Rabbit
Deborah Rogers
Margie Romano
Christy Rudolf
Juli Schuszler
Mark Sheilds
Carolyn Weidman
Jerry Whitehurst
Tommy Winn
Pat Yoder
Louis Pate
Virginia Van Horn

ART and Synesthesia

2005-11-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

All,
I've been studding a word this week. Synesthesia.

The word anesthesia means "no sensation"; synesthesia means "joined sensation" (Greek, syn = together + aisthesis = perception). It refers to an involuntary physical experience in which the stimulation of one sense modality reliably causes an additional perception in a different sense or senses.

This word is interesting to me because I paint my feelings. Sometimes I paint my feelings on landscapes, other people, buildings and even still life. Most people who know me say they can tell what kind of a week I'm having by what I choose to paint and what colors I choose to paint with. This even shows up in my abstract work. I look at people and see color too. Interesting word.

Here is last two weeks work in pastels....with yet another one of Edvard Munch's Scream. I now have a Scream for each season of the year.

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Winter Scream (Scream #6)

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Abstract Figure

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Blue Nude
inspired by H. Matisse

Blue Art

2005-11-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Email note from Mary Haase. The firsst artist to push me along. Also a note from Father Brian.

From: Mary Haase
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 3:00 PM
To: Don Watson
Subject:

You have grown so incredibly as an artist since I first met you! I am so glad that you didn't go the workshop/teacher/classes route. You have found your own voice and are making your own visual music. You may have been inspired or influenced by a number of the "greats," but there is nothing derivative about your work. You are not a "maker of pretty pictures;" your work is far too deep for that. To view and understand your work requires thought, almost as much thought as goes into creating it.

I record what I see. You create a new vision. Just thought I'd let you know that I noticed. I am not sure which was the cause and which was the effect, but as your work has become stronger and more confident, more uniquely your own, you seem to have grown personally at a similar pace. I don't see you often, and even then not for very long, but you have a quiet, calm confidence now that I wasn't aware of that day I first met you in my studio. It is quite possible that your greatest creative achievement is Don Watson.

From: Fr. Brian K. Waite
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 3:28 PM
To: Don Watson
Subject: Re: ART and Synesthesia

Don,

Great hearing from you and seeing your work! You are truly a blessing beyond words! Thank you for sharing your "God Talent" with the world!

Grace and Peace,
Brian

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Abstract Face
inspired by Picasso

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Abstract Face #2
inspired by a piece of pottery made by Jan Barco

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Blue Figure#1 (NOV 05)

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Blue Figure #2

Enjoy.

Don Watson

17-23 Oct 05 Week in Art

2005-10-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

Friends, Fans and Groups ,
I spent most of my day Monday (18oct05) sketching out a Court Martial trial. These two sketches are pen in ink. My big project was to paint my Narcolepsy painting in acrylic. This is the first in a series

Title: Narcolepsy (abstract)
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 18" X "24

Quote of the Week: Remember that art is process. The process is supposed to be fun. For our purpose, the journey is always the only arrival and may be interpreted to mean that our creativity at play in the field of time. At the heart of this play is the mystery of joy.

Have a great week

Don

Time & Narcolepsy

2005-10-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

New word, I had to look it up. Equanimity: The quality of being calm and even-tempered; composure.

Hope I can return to "equanimity" again, soon.

Don

This week's sketches: 03 - 07 OCT 2005

2005-10-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Narcolepsy/4 agreements/sketches

2005-10-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

All,
God's greatest gift's to me have almost always been given in poorly wrapped packages. The last two months has been very stressful. Who would have ever thought these last few weeks in the Navy were going to be so trying. I seem to want to "fix" a situation at work instead of letting it go. Some folks say "Let Go and Let God". I think more accurate is the saying "Let Go or Get Dragged". Here's a few sentences from a very good book: "Acceptance does not mean submission to a degrading situation. It means accepting the facts of the situation and then deciding what to do about it. Acceptance can be empowering because it makes choices possible". Here is some of this weeks art.

Title: Narcolepsy
Medium: Pen on Paper

"The disease is principally characterized by a permanent and overwhelming feeling of sleepiness and fatigue. Other symptoms involve abnormalities of dreaming sleep, such as dream-like hallucinations and finding oneself physically weak or paralyzed for a few seconds"

Title: Narcolepsy II
Medium: Pen on (AA Harmony) Paper

Title: 4 Agreements
Medium: Pen on (AA Harmony) Paper
The Four Agreements are
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.

Title: Sketch
Medium: Pen on Paper

Love and Light
Don

Figure Drawing Class 01 OCT 2005

2005-10-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hungry, ANGRY, Lonely and Tired

2005-09-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Week in ART 19 - 25 SEP, 2005

2005-09-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

All these figires were done in my Figure Drawing class this morning. Hope you enjoy.

Don Watson

Figure Drawing Class (part 1)

2005-09-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

Figure Drawing Class Part 2

2005-09-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

VA BCH (End of Summer 05)

2005-09-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

Title: VA BCH (End of Summer 05)
Medium: Acrylic, Mix, w/sea shells
Size: 6ft X 4ft

Dreams of Tropics & "C2"

2005-09-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Week of art 11 JUL - 17 JUL, 2005

2005-09-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
a busy week at work. I spent much of my time on the Chesapeake Bay.....job related work. Good weather to be on the bay, my job does have it's benefits.

Kat has been talking about vacation time. Unity Church message this morning was about relationships and spending time with the ones you love. I have spent the last 7 years learning how to love myself (holding my own hand). "I am the only one I will ever know that will never leave me" is a good place to start. It's funny, I had to learn what love wasn't before I could learn what love was. I love G.O.D., mom and dad, bro & sis, my son Herschel, my Girlfriend Kat, ice-cream and I love my dog Eddie. Note to self: need to spend less time with ice-cream and more time with Kat.

Anyway, this painting is titled She Dreams of Tropics. I hope you like it as much as I do. I did paint one other painting (watercolor) this week over at Rev. Dr. Elaine W. Dougherty, maybe I will get a picture of it later in the week. It was my first time painting watercolor and I was painting as though it was oil paint...lol. I can't get away from painting thick...

Title: She Dreams of Tropics
Size: (BIG) 6'(ft) 1/2"(in) X 4'(FT)
Medium: Acrylic, House Paint, Mix w/ Joint Compound, Sea Shells, Blue Glass
Quote of the week: Artists can't afford to think about who is getting ahead of us and and how they don't deserve it. The desire to be better than can choke off the simple desire to be. Artist can't afford this thinking. It leads us away from our own voices and choices and into a defensive game that centers outside ourselves and our sphere of influence. It asks us to define our own creativity in terms of someone else's.

Have a great week
Love and Light
Don

Don Watson artwork Eerie work for Eerie Times

2005-09-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

Wheat Fields with Crows (abstract), a "take-off" of Van Gogh's Wheat Fields with Crows. A eerie painting just in time for Halloween.

Tony's Scream is an abstract of Edvard Munch"s Scream. I painted this one for a friend from New Orleans named Tony Eccles who narrowly escaped Hurricane Katrina. Both paintings are earmarked for our Sizzle Show next week here in Virginia Beach.

Title: Wheat Fields with Crows (abstract)
Inspired by Van Gogh.
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 2ft X 3ft

Title: Tony's Scream
Medium: Acrylic
Size: 8ft X 4ft
It's so big I had to take several pix

Thanks for looking
Love and Light
Don Watson

2005-09-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

All,
most of the weekend here was nasty outside. Good for me because this means I get to stay indoors and work on art. I framed a few new pieces and tried out a new medium. Charcoal smudges too much but I did have some worth showing here.

Sleep
Chalk Pastel

The Scream IV (Black and White)
Charcoal

Madonna
Charcoal

Jazz II
Pastel

Portrait of Herschel (my son).........I had some help with this one :-)
Charcoal

Study of: Wheat field with crows (one of my favorite Van Gogh's)
Pastel

Grave emotional pain
Charcoal and pastel

Artistic quote of the week from meditations from the Artist's Way.

"Being an artist requires enthusiasm more than discipline. Enthusiasm is not an emotional state. It is a spiritual commitment, a loving surrender to our creative process, a loving recognition of all the creativity around us. Enthusiasm (from the Greek, filled with God) is an ongoing energy supply tapped into the flow of life itself. Enthusiasm is grounded in play, not work. Far from being a brain-numbed soldier, our artist is actually our child within, our inner playmate. As playmates, it is joy, not duty, that makes for a lasting bond."

Enjoy your week.
Love and Light
Don Watson

2005-09-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

All,
Spent most of the day Sunday and tonight photographing, cataloging and storing artwork up in my attic. I started painting in Aug. 2001 as a way to process feelings. Painting feelings was an awaking inside me. Here is a quote from one of my favorite books:

Maybe there are as many definitions of spiritual awakening
as there are people who have had them.
But certainly each genuine one has something in common
with all the others.
And these things are not too hard to understand.
When a man or a woman has a spiritual awakening,
the most important meaning of it
is that he has now become able to do, feel, and believe
that which he could not do before on his unaided strength
and resources alone.
He has been granted a gift which amounts to
a new state of consciousness and being.

Enjoy the art, Maybe I will share 2002 art later in the week.

Love and Light
Don Watson

Scream 2005

2005-09-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

All,
not much work this week. Just these four so-so drawings. Yes, another Scream study, I'm beginning to think its becoming an obsession. While I was drawing it my girlfriend came in from shopping at the mall and said "not another Scream" ..........LOL.. She picked up a piece of blue chalk and gestured at the drawing and said "give him some hope". At that particular time there was only black, grey and white charcoal in the drawing. I said "that's the point... NO HOPE". That was a very scary thing to say to someone I love because usually I paint what I feel. Today my life is full of hope, so where do these dark works come from? I suspect they come old feelings of what my life was like just a few years ago....."no hope". I seem to be able to drop down there from time to time just to check in. I don't stay long, just a short visit to get some really deep dark art and then I jump right back out again. I haven't had any real depression for over a year, I think I heard someone say once "better living through chemicals". I'm beginning to see their point. Here is a paragraph from a book on my shelf, it reminds me of NO HOPE:

The less people tolerated us, the more we withdrew from society, from life itself. As we became subjects of King Alcohol, shivering denizens of his mad realm, the chilling vapor that is loneliness settled down. It thickened, ever becoming blacker. Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding companionship and approval. Momentarily we did -- then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen -- Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair. Unhappy drinkers who read this page will understand!

Life is good today, all my needs are met and some of my wants too. I want to leave you on a positive note with another meditation from the Artist Way by Julia Camron:

We are, ourselves, creations. We, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature.

Have a great week
Love and light
Don

ART this week 6-12 June 2005

2005-09-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Swallowing Colors from the Sounds I Hear
Entire painting is 6'ft X 23"in

So Confused
18"in X 22"in

Color of Hope
22"in X 28"in

Best of 2002

2005-08-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Best of 2001

2005-08-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

KATMOON

2005-08-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Egyptian Cat

2005-08-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

All,
an artist named Koreen Damelio's painted Egyptian Cat for the Artist Gallery's "Cat's Meow". Right away I liked it. It reminded me of a time when my ship was anchored in the Gulf of Suez. We were getting ready to enter the Suez Canal and our Skipper wanted the ship to look good because we were returning back to Norfolk soon. We decided to paint all my topside Weather Decks while at anchorage. Little did we know their was a sand storm coming from the the city of Suez, a city in Egypt, south of the Suez Canal. It looked as though the sky was turning this blood red color. Our ship was covered with 1/8 inch thick of sand in less than one hour. I was very upset (PISSED!!!) at this because we were on our way home and decided to paint the decks where the climate was warmer so our paint would dry faster and wouldn't get wet. I suppose we didn't think of sand storms.

I like the subject matter and may paint some more Egyptian type art this week.

Quote of the week: There is a connection between self-nurturing and self-respect. If I allow myself to be bulled and cowed by other peoples urges for me to be more normal or more nice, I sell myself out. They may like me better, feel more comfortable with my more conventional appearance or behavior, but I will hate myself. Hating myself, I may lash out at myself and others. As an artist, my self-respect comes from doing the work. My true friends are those who allow me to work. Creativity is like oxygen for our souls. Cutting off our creativity makes us savage. We react like we are being choked. There is a real rage that surfaces when we are interfered with on a level that involves picking lint off us and fixing us up.

Have a creative week
Don

Artwork from Don 07 FEB, 2005

2005-08-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

All,
I've been looking at yoga poses these days. Yoga seems artful with all those different...... poses. I think I will do more of these works this week. I did paint one, lets just say "risky piece of art" this week; I dare not send it out to the general population. If anyone wishes to see this risky piece of work write me back and I will send it out individually.
Enjoy the art and quote.
On another note I thought I would share these 12 Traits with you. I find them enlightening.

To give spiritual or intellectual insight to: “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppression of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day” (Thomas Jefferson).

ARTWORK 11-17APRIL 2005

2005-08-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

ALL,
Two pieces this week.

Black Nude (isspired by Matise)
22" x 28"

Tropical View (also inspired by H.M.)
16" X 20"

Quote of the week:

Man can learn nothing except going from the known to the unknown.
Claude Bernard

Life requires vulnerability. I treat myself gently and allow myself to be vulnerable. I accept myself as I am today without the need for perfection. I allow myself the freedom to learn without grandiose expectations. I am a living being. I allow my life to flow more broadly across the plain of experience. I allow my life to rest in the sun of self-acceptance.

Enjoy the sun this week, and have a very creative week.

Don Watson

ART this week 6-12 June 2005 (#2)

2005-08-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Swollowing Colors from the Sounds I hear
2ft X 8ft

ART this week 6-12 June 2005

2005-08-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Color of Hope
22" X 28"

WEEK IN ART 05 JUN 2005 (#3)

2005-08-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

Night in the City
30" x 40"

Quote of the week:
We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other peoples models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open.

Shakti Gawain

Have a creative week
Don Watson

WEEK IN ART 05 JUN 2005 (#2)

2005-08-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Marble (Black and White)
16" X 20"

WEEK IN ART 05 JUN 2005

2005-08-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

All,
I thought I would try my hand at some abstract work this week. I have been studying some Jackson Pollock works. I enjoyed creating these works. I hope you like them as much as I enjoy looking at them. I never never cease to amaze myself, when it comes to artistic new direction.

Untitled (abstract #1)
16" X 20"

Artist Statment

2005-08-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

"Artists are often asked for 'statements, in the hope, that these will in some way add to the viewer's appreciation of the works. But these tedious little essays often have the opposite effect. Suppose you really like the painting on the wall, but the statement reveals the artist to be an idiot. His being an idiot has nothing to do with the quality of the painting, but now that you know, it can't help but color your opinion of his work. Or suppose the artist is very intelligent and articulate, and his statement tells you explicitly what the work means. But that isn't what the painting meant for you, and now that you know what it really means, you're disappointed. I have limited control over my work & usually no more understanding of it than the viewer has. This is because art is mostly unconscious process, both for the artist and the viewer. I'm not denying the importance of informed art criticism and history. I'm just challenging the idea that the artist is the best authority on his or her own work. The viewer is always the final authority."

Don Watson is a self-taught artist that discovered painting was a wonderful avenue for emotional expression. He has labored to bring into fruition large dreams from small seeds.

“I chose art for the oneness of the moment – the immediacy of expression. Pablo Picasso said that painting is just another way of keeping a diary. I find my deepest moments are of feeling, so I paint what I feel at that moment in time. Feelings aren’t facts but they do help me to create my best work. The stronger the feeling, stronger the work. It’s those moments I paint of and for….Art provides me with a constant mirror of my being – both successes and failures, the good moments and bad. I prefer to paint all of my feelings as they come. Painting takes on a rhythm as breathing. Living, loving, hurting and painting become one. I believe in a subliminal communication of feelings about the human condition….My work is expressly directed to evoke an emotional reaction from the viewer.”
“I believe the communion that takes place during the process of crating is the true value in art. The extent to which this flow of energy is expressed is the measure of the work’s success. In turn, the viewer’s experience can also be a communion, partaking of that same energy.”

Art is the unlimited emotional expression. It’s emotional expression to me and for the viewer.

WEEK IN ART kind of 29 JUN - 04 JUL, 2005

2005-08-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
I spent this weekend working on my art. I acquired a 13ft X 4ft roll of canvas. I have been very giddy ever since I acquired this large piece of canvas. It took me Friday evening through Sunday afternoon to build the frame work for the piece of canvas. I cut the canvas in half and painted a piece called "Walking through the valley of the shadow of death". That's right, my favorite part of the 23rd Psalm (Rev Pat left this part out on Sunday morning, @ Christ Unity Oceanside). Thank you for naming my painting, I love you Pat!!! I'm not much of a "religious nut" but consider myself to have "spiritual stamina".

Spiritual: 1. Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material.
2. Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
3. Of, from, or relating to God; deific.
4. Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred.
5. Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.

Stamina: Physical or moral strength to resist or withstand illness, fatigue, or hardship; endurance.

Don's definition of Spiritual Stamina is being able to walk through many situations that seem impossible with the help of G.O.D.(Good Orderly Direction). As my sponsor put it to me long ago, "there is only two things you need to know about God. 1. There is a God. 2. His name isn't Don".

As a whole this painting represents the light in the center with darkness further away from the center light (clock). The message: keep walking toward the light, do not sit in darkness. Always remember that a shadow cannot exist without light.

Title: Walking through the valley of the shadow of death
Size: 4ft X 6ft
Medium: Mixed Media (Acrylic, regular house paint & joint compound)

Have a great week
Don Watson