Nick Watson was born in Newport, Rhode Island, the starting point of his life as a world traveler. Before landing for good in Bulverde TX in 2015, Nick lived in such far flung places as Guam, California, Hawaii, Washington DC, and the Philippines, with stops in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Australia, Somalia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Germany and Egypt. In the intervening years, Nick was mostly a Marine, a surfer, and more. His travels exposed him to a wide variety of local art and cultures, including museums and galleries in Singapore and Hong Kong, ancient castles in Japan, and national galleries in Washington DC, among others.

Along the way, Nick has had some unique experiences: Vietnam infantry combat adventure (’68); haole beachboy (if you know Hawaii, you know what that means); bartender in Waikiki in the 70s; numerous hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes; the Mt Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991 (simultaneously with the worst typhoon in a decade)(Philippines); minor tsunamis; Somalia during "Black Hawk Down"; 9/11 in Washington DC; and the best experience (next to surfing and painting)….Texas.

As a very visual person, all of Nick’s experiences have contributed to his appreciation of art, particularly color, and the unlimited potential to create unique paintings with varied colors, contours, and textures. His goal is to impact 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 Watson

nickwatsonart.com

nick@nickwatsonart.com

FB: @NickWatsonArtist

Instagram: @nickwatson_art

(830) 980-9089 (The Makery)

1946:  Born, New Port Rhode Island. Currently resides in Bulverde, TX

Education

Although not possessing a college degree, Nick’s diligence in self improvement and exploring new ideas enabled him to earn a commission in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Over thirty years of on-line research, particularly regarding artists, materials, techniques, etc.  In particular, as an abstract acrylic painter; self taught, practical application, trial & error and hard knocks.

Awards

Honorable Mention, Bulverde Area Arts Center, Spring 2015 Juried Member’s Show

2025 ART COLLECTORS CHOICE AWARDS, ABSTRACT 6th Place – Tie

2024 AMERICAN ART AWARDS, ABSTRACT 4th Place – Tie

2019: 1st Place, Collage; 2d Place Acrylic, VA Regional Art Competition

2018: 1st Place Acrylic, VA Regional Art Competition

Solo Exhibitions

2025: Solo exhibit, Pam’s Patio Kitchen, San Antonio 

2025: Verde Bistro, Bulverde, Tx (continuous)

2022: Solo exhibit, Mammen Family Library, Bulverde/Spring Branch, Tx

2019: Solo exhibit, Mammen Family Library, Bulverde/Spring Branch, Tx

2017:  Solo Exhibition, Bulverde/Spring Branch Public Library, Bulverde, TX (June)

2017:  Solo Exhibition, Bulverde/Spring Branch Public Library, Bulverde, TX (November)

2015-2017:  Mike’s in the Old Village, Bulverde, TX 

2017: Hatch 5 Market, Bulverde Tx

2017: ”In The Beginning" Wood Creations, Wimberley, TX

Group Exhibitions

2024: Huisache Grill, New Braunfels, Tx

2024: ‘The Big Show”; Texas State University Round Rock

2021: Austin Veterans Art Festival

2019: Austin Veterans Art Festival, Tx

2018: Huisache Grill, New Braunfels, Tx

2017: Group exhibit, Mammen Family Library, Bulverde/Spring Branch Tx

2017: San Francisco Fleet Week, Veteran’s Ar, Academy of Art, Cannery Row,  University San Francisco, two pieces juried in. (3-29 Oct)

2017:  Numerous Group Shows, Bulverde Area Arts Center (approximately 4 per year), Bulverde, Tx

2016: Huisache Grill, New Braunfels, Tex

2015: Mindzai Creative’s, ‘First Fridays’ Art Exhibition, Austin, TX

Donations

2025: One painting (48”x36”) donated to ‘RoundUp4Charity Event; for Texas (Kerrville) flood relief

2014-2022: Over a dozen paintings donated for eight homes built for severely disabled veterans the San Antonio/Bulverde area by the Gary Senise Foundation, R.I.S.E. program.

2017: One painting selected by event organizers as a donation for Spirit Open Equestrian Program's Gala Event, to be held at the Hirschhorn Museum, Washington DC, benefiting equestrian therapy programs for children and veterans. (9 Dec)

The Makery studio was founded in January 2016 in a historic building (circa 1920) that was originally home to Bulverde’s German 9-pin bowling alley. The studio suffered a catastrophic electrical fire in March 2023, destroying years of accumulated equipment, tools, materials, and finished work. Francesca lost 10 years of teaching samples and original work; Nick lost all of his equipment and supplies, and slightly over 100 paintings. And the fire took the life of Sterling, the studio’s beloved shop cat.

They were seriously thinking of pulling the plug, because commercial lease costs had become astronomical. Fortunately, an opportunity for a new space presented itself, through a friend of friend, and the studio’s local and international community of students, colleagues, and friends raised funds and made donations of time and services to rebuild the studio in its new location. The new studio location, affectionately nick-named “The Barn,” reopened in September 2023.