Takichael Watson was born in Mississippi in 1955. His father’s Air Force mechanic job took him to England for an early period of childhood, then Florida and New Mexico, before settling back in Mississippi. Watson began creating at the age of 16. Five-mile walks to the Jackson public library, where he would burrow into the art history section, left him entranced with the surrealist movement. He later discovered the comic book world with Jack Kirby (Marvel, DC), Basil Wolverton (Marvel, Mad), Robert Crumb (Zap, Weirdo), and Wallace Wood (Marvel, DC). Now, Watson’s interests span a multitude of styles, periods, and genres. Horror films of any era, B-movies, and adult films that highlight the underbelly of society are just a few of his favorite outlets.

Watson immerses himself in his art. Through it, he explores an acute perception of the primal interconnections of our species through maniacal woven walls of faces and eyes. His subject matter is mainly himself and the female face. And eyes. Lots of eyes looking. As a counterbalance, other paintings are serene landscapes or cemeteries often featuring voluptuous clouds—but not without the occasional extra-terrestrial reference. Practicing patience is important to Watson, and his artistic process is very measured whether he is making a collage, illustrating, sculpting, or chiefly, painting. The tools he uses to paint include wooden chopsticks, fingers, occasional brushwork, and layers and layers of clear acrylic.

With no close relations, children, partner, or motor vehicle, Watson doesn’t follow societal conventions. He doesn’t own a computer or smartphone. He doesn’t pay attention to time. Watson says he was put on this planet, quite simply, to make art, which is also his most therapeutic activity.e a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. - Bio courtesy of Emil Orth - Photo by Shane Rubano