Roosevelt Watson III
Artwork by Roosevelt will be on exhibit at Indigo Arts Center, 703D Louisville Rd. starting 4/21/10.
Painting for over 30 years, Roosevelt Watson 3 has displayed art all over the country. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He started his lengthy development into the arts at the Tampa Technical Institute where he received an associate of Graphic Design and then studied at the illustrious Atlanta College of Art in Atlanta, Ga. Which is now currently the Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta Campus. Roosevelt creates a visual treasure with every stroke. He’s held a number of positions including Graphic Designer, Artist in Residence, Caricature Artist, and Artist intern.
His first show was in the May Cohens department store in Jacksonville, Florida (1980) depicting early religious influences. As he matured in age and in art, he began to master several techniques and displays his life, influences, and experiences in every piece.
Painting by Roosevelt Watson III
Roosevelt has received several design and drawing awards including first place in the 3rd Annual Juried Art Show in Jacksonville, Florida, and the 14th annual art fair at the Telfair Art Museum In Savannah, Ga. He has shown artwork in many galleries nationwide and completed internships at world renowned galleries, such as the Historic Hammonds House Gallery and Resource Center. He studied under Edward Spriggs in 2000.
Several private collectors request commissioned artwork from Roosevelt depicting many different scenes, architectural designs, and portraits. The Ritz La Villa Museum commissioned him to create a portrait of John Rosemond Johnson for their permanent collection (2002). CSX Chief Engineer, Tim Dickerson, of Tampa, FL commissioned Roosevelt to complete a piece for his personal collection. One of his sculptures was placed in the Emmanuel Holiness Church of Tampa, FL. Roosevelt has completed a mural and painted the 25th anniversary vase for the St. Joseph’s Church in Jacksonville, FL. He continues to create artwork inspired and is the co-creator and founder of the Deepressionist. A Movement he co founded with two fellow artist and friends. They have had a documentary centered upon their collective work. Roosevelt has his art featured in galleries consistently in solo and group exhibitions with his fellow Deepressionist. Roosevelt is currently working on a series and lives in Savannah, Ga with his wife and Pekingese.
Artwork by Roosevelt Watson III
Artist Statement
“My paintings are representative of the spirit of us all. I use the Abstract/Surrealism styles to get my point across. The point that we are so different but yet the same, shown with many colors and textures, and shapes, yet coming from one thought source. My colors are vibrant, just as our spirits use to be as children. The textures are the physical aspect of our world which makes the paintings life like. The shapes are every where and just plain enjoyable; hence, we are all very colorful, physical, and shapely which I convey in an abstract/surreal fashion.
Each painting goes through a long process of thought, color selection, medium choices, and imagery. My artwork is there to please, provoke conversation, thought and visual enjoyment
