Mike Watson

medium: painting

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Emergence 2007 Painting	She Reminds Me of a Chess Game 2007 Painting	The Speed and the Sound of Loneliness 2007 Painting
Two Crows for a Secret Never to be Told 2006 Painting	You Set Me Free 2006 Painting	Big Boy Better Boy 2009 Painting
The Chocolate Jesus 2008 Painting	Lemons 2009 Painting	Queen and Her Jacks 2008 Painting
The Guitar Player 2008 Painting

Contact information
6632 Berkshire Rd.
Madison, WI 53711
Phone Number: 608-206-5224
Email Address: mdocwatson@charter.net
Web site: www.mikewatsonart.com

Artist statement
In 2003, after over twenty years of allowing my artistic talents to lie fallow, I picked up the paintbrush. My first works were simple still lifes and wildlife scenes. These early works provided me with the opportunity to relearn techniques and develop my style.

During the past year, I have concentrated on paintings that create a theme or narrative through which I try to express a story or feeling. It is my intention to force the viewer to think about the images and figures and how they might relate to each other. I also feel the title of the painting is very important and provides the viewer with clues as to my thought process. My recent work is very personal. I attempt to hide my feelings within a painting's imagery and provide the viewer with something interesting to look at and think about.

I spend a considerable amount of time thinking of different themes and contemplating what images would best translate the narrative. I prefer to work out "problems" on the panel as I paint, much to the chagrin of my art mentors. I use props, models and photos to give me a sense of proportion and detail, but in many areas of the panel, I work from some long-lost memory that surfaces.

I work in oil and paint on gesso-prepared masonite hard board panels. I prefer a smooth surface and paint in layers, building up four to six layers. The final layers provide the opportunity to create more detail. This is my favorite time while working on a painting and I call it "magic time." Forms come to life during this stage, and I know I am getting close to completion.

Biography
Watson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 1977) with an emphasis in art. He has also taken numerous painting and drawing courses at the UW and Madison Area Technical College.