Nick Watson (born 1946), currently an abstract painter, has been a world traveler, as a Marine, a surfer, combat veteran (100% VA disabled) and more.; living in such far flung places as Guam, Rhode Island, California, Hawaii, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Australia, Somalia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Somalia, Diego Garcia, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany and Egypt….all of which provided exposure to local art and culture of varying degrees; from museums and galleries in Singapore and Hong Kong, to ancient castles in Japan and Austria.

Along the way, Nick has had some unique experiences; Vietnam infantry combat adventure (’68); worked as a haole (if you know Hawaii, you know what that means) beach boy; bartender in Waikiki in the 70s; numerous hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, 1991 Mt Pinatubo volcanic eruption (simultaneously with the worst typhoon in a decade)(Philippines), minor tsunamis, Somalia during ‘Black Hawk Down’; 911 in Washington DC and the best experience (next to surfing and painting)….Texas.

All of Nick’s experiences have contributed to his appreciation of art; particularly color, and the unlimited potential to create unique paintings with diverse colors, contours, textures and impacts on the viewer….to provoke thought and/or emotion…..’what is it? I don’t know, but I like it’………color is ultimately a celebration of life……..and, life is art.

Nick is now retired from his ‘normal’ job, (32 years of military/gov’t service) and resides with his wife, Francesca, in Bulverde, TX; a small town 25 miles north of San Antonio, considered the gateway to the ‘hill country’. Opening The Makery (makeryarts.com), together in 2015, allowed Nick an opportunity to partner with his wife in creating a space dedicated to ‘makers’. The Makery provides individual studio areas for their own creative disciplines, a large classroom space and a small gallery to exhibit and sell their work. When not painting (and he tends to paint a lot), Nick handles the heavy lifting and bug killing duties. Additionally, Nick serves as chief cook and bottle washer, particularly when hosting national instructors who stay at the Watson’s home while teaching at The Makery.

Nick’s work can be seen on his Facebook page @NickWatsonArtist (most optimal); Instagram: @nickwatson_art; or at The Makery, in the Old Village of Bulverde, TX.