Jeffrey R. Watts is a southern California native. Growing up in rural San Diego county with an artist father, Watts demonstrated an early aptitude for the visual arts. But it was competitive sports that held his interest as a teenager. After an injury cut short his budding career in professional cycling, Jeff turned his focus back to art, enrolling at the California Art Institute in Calabasas. Watts was soon asked to teach at the institute and began to work as an illustrator in the movie industry. However, Jeff's goal to become an easel painter would draw him back to San Diego where he started a small life drawing and painting studio known as Watts Atelier of the Arts. ( www.wattsatelier.com ) Jeff's aesthetic sensibilities have long drawn him to the figurative art of nineteenth century Europe and Russia. His Atelier allows him to work constantly from the live model, grounding his work in traditional principles. Recently, Jeff's work has been compared to that of Nicolai Fechin, an influence he is quick to acknowledge. "I never tire of looking at the work of Nicolai Fechin" Watts says, "his work is the perfect combination of control and chaos."

Jeff's oil paintings have won numerous awards including First Place Portrait category and Second Place Landscape category from the Artist's Magazine, two consecutive Second Place Awards at the Salon International Exhibition, Third Place in the Raymar Fine Art Competition, a top 12 Honor Award from the Portrait Society of America, 3 Awards of Excellence from Oil Painters of America and 3 Top 100 Awards from Arts for the Parks among others.

Fall of 2005 brought Watts feature articles in Southwest Art , American Artist and Art of the West magazines. Jeffrey R. Watts is a Master Signature member of Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, an Artist Member of California Art Club, and holds membership in the Portrait Society of America.

Jeff will participate again this year in the prestigious 2008 Prix de West Invitational held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. In addition his painting "Wiley Irishman" was selected as a finalist in the 2008 Portrait Society of America's Portrait Competition.

Jeff will have a Solo Exhibition at the Taos Art Museum Fechin House in late September of 2008. He will also be conducting a 4 Day Portrait Painting workshop in the original Taos Studio of his greatest infulence Mr. Nicolai Fechin.

Jeff is represented by:
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, Texas. www.greenhousegallery.com
Berringer Gallery in Leucadia, California. www.berringergallery.com

For more information about Watts Atelier in Encinitas, CA visit www.wattsatelier.com

BACKGROUND:

Born San Diego, March 17, 1970
Studied at the California Art Institute 1990-92
Freelance Illustrator; Los Angeles 1992-94
Studied under Father 1994-96
Freelance Illustrator; San Diego 1994-1999

TEACHING:

California Art Institute, 1991-92
Workshops Palomar College, San Marcos, Ca, 1992
Started Watts Atelier of the Arts, San Diego Ca, 1992-present

SHOWS & AWARDS:

Finalist, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition 2008, 2006
2007-8 Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition
2007-8 American Miniatures at Settlers West Show
2007-8 International Masters of Fine Art Exhibit, Greenhouse Gallery
2006-7 Small Works, Great Wonders Show, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
CAC 97th, 96th, 95th, 94th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition
Second Place Award, Salon International 2005 & 2004, Greenhouse Gallery
Award of Excellence, OPA West/Southwest Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition 2004
Award of Excellence, OPA National Juried Exhibition 2004
First Place Award, Portrait Category, Artist's Magazine Annual Art Competition 2003
Laguna Art Museum Painting Invitational (LPAPA) 2003-2007
Award of Excellence, OPA West/Southwest Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition 2003
Second Place Award, Landscape Category, Artist's Magazine Annual Art Competition 2002
Top 100 Award, Arts for the Parks National Juried Exhibition, 2002, 2001, 1997
Oil Painters of America (OPA) National Juried Exhibition, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2002
"Five Artists to Watch", Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, February 2002
"Beaux Arts Bash", Scottsdale Artist’s School, Scottsdale, AZ, 2001-2005
Honorable Mention Award, Portriat Category, Artist's Magazine Annual Art Competition 2001
Finalist Award, The Landscape Challenge, International Artist Magazine, February 2001
Two Man Show, Ottinger Gallery, Chicago, February, 2001
Finalist Award, Portrait Category, Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition 2000
One Man Show, Robson Gallery, San Diego, March, 1998

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS:

Feature Article, Southwest Art Magazine, November 2005
Feature Article, Art of the West Magazine, Sept/Oct 2005
Cover and Feature Article, American Artist Magazine, Sept 2005
“Artist to Watch”, Southwest Art, March 2004
"Gallery Tour", Cowboys and Indians, December 2003
"Art From the Parks", North Light Books, 2000
“Danny’s Christmas Wish List”, Art Talk, November 1998
“Artist Worth Watching”, Art Talk, February 1997

MEMBERSHIPS:

Master Signature Member, Oil Painters of America (OPAM)
Signature Member, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA)
Artist Member, California Art Club (CAC)
Portrait Society of America