The Artist

Artist Statement:

When creating artwork, I enter a quiet space where intuition, spirit, and creation move as one. With each brush stroke, mark, and line, a dialogue between the seen and the unseen is created. With a rhythm of disciplined focus and gentle surrender, each work unfolds its own story.

Short Bio:

Lydia Watson's authenticity, from her early days sketching comic strips and doodling on napkins, Lydia always found joy in visual storytelling. A pivotal moment in High School became exciting, turning every lesson into an opportunity that was impossible to ignore. When a painting celebrating her Black identity sparked controversy, it ignited a determination that challenged her work. Years later, during her first pregnancy, she returned to painting with renewed purpose, transforming motherhood into a catalyst for professional growth.

Today, Lydia is a full-time visual artist whose work has garnered both local and international recognition. Through WatsArt LLC, she continues to build a platform that not only showcases her evolving practice but also engages with broader conversations around sustainability and art advocacy. Lydia’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, identity, and the courage to create art that resonates on a personal and cultural level.

Her work is in dialogue with artists such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Alma Thomas, while establishing her own visual language, characterised by a unique line over atmospheric colour. She situates Black interior life as a site of resilience, memory, and becoming.

“I keep growing through whatever the experience.”

Self-Portrait — Meticulous Stippling
Rendered in fine stipple, this self-portrait offers a window into the artist’s inner world—warmth glows beneath the surface, depth lingers in the gaze, and spirit dwells beyond likeness. The subtle smile and inviting eyes gently welcome connection, embodying both technical mastery and profound patience as a fleeting expression becomes an enduring work of art.

Videos

2024-2025 Embracing Stippling

Solo Exhibit
Plainfield, New Jersey, USA | October 2024 – January 2025

Early WorksI

In my early works, I experimented with a wide range of materials burlap, fabric, gesso, papier-mâché, plastics, colored pencils, oils, water-based paints, and pen and ink each medium offering its own texture, depth, and story to the work. .

Early Works II

In my early works, I also explored monochromatic compositions using pen and ink, lint, papier-mâché, newspaper, gesso, and textured surfaces combined with water-based paints creating both intimate and large-scale pieces on canvas, wood, and paper.

Plainfield in '08 Thru the Eyes of Watsart

A Look Back at Plainfield in ’08 — Through the Eyes of WatsArt™
This 2008 touring exhibition presents Lydia Watson’s (WatsArt™) nuanced interpretation of Plainfield, New Jersey, exploring themes of community, memory, and place. Through her distinctive visual language, the artist captures the character and spirit of the city, offering viewers an intimate and reflective perspective on its streets, people, and stories.

"Bold, Unique, and Thought-Provoking" "Lydia's stippling technique in her 'Ride or Die' piece creates an energy that draws you in. The patience and precision required for each dot tell a powerful story—this work is more than just art; it's an experience. It brings such depth and character to my home."– Mary J., Contemporary Art Enthusiast

"A Strong and Thoughtful Presence" "The ‘Man of the House’ piece is an awe-inspiring representation of strength and vulnerability. Lydia’s meticulous stippling technique brings depth and emotion to the piece, making it feel both personal and universally powerful. It’s a statement work, one that exudes authority and introspection."– Bill M., Fine Art Collector

"A Masterful Interpretation of Our Work" "‘Optic Exam’ speaks to the core of what it means to examine and understand sight. The precision in Lydia’s stippling technique mirrors the meticulous process of vision exams, while the boldness of the piece makes it impossible to look away. It’s a striking and meaningful addition to my practice, helping to bridge the art of vision with the science of optometry."– Dr. B.G., Optometrist