Allyson Watwood - Watercolor Artist

Meet the Artist

Allyson Watwood will have her art for sale at the Arts Trussville Gateway Art Festival on Sunday, October 13, 2024. The art festival will be held at the Trussville Gateway Entertainment District from 11 am - 5 pm. Bring the whole family for great art, music, dancing, food, and fun! For more information, please visit the Arts Trussville website at https://www.artstrussville.org/

About the Artist

I am a full-time watercolor and printmaking artist based in Talladega, Alabama. My creative journey began in the world of graphic design and advertising, but my true artistic awakening occurred when I transitioned to teaching high school art. Inspired by my students' boundless creativity and willingness to take risks, I rediscovered a sense of wonder in me that had been lost over time. Their influence encouraged me to pursue my own art full-time, embracing the identity of an artist with renewed passion.

My work is rooted in the creation of images that brim with life, joy, and nostalgia. I strive to capture the warmth of a cherished memory, much like the way we recall a happy moment from childhood. I believe that our lives are composed of simple snapshots, which, when woven together, form the narrative of who we are. For instance, a painting of a chaotic picnic recalls the last day my husband and I spent at the lake before moving to Alabama, while a pie cooling on the windowsill brings back the scent of apple pies baking early in the morning with my grandmother before our hometown's fall festival. Each of my works invites multiple interpretations, allowing the viewer to find their own story within the scene.

In discovering my artistic voice, I have embraced what I call "whimsical realism," a style that merges realistic detail with playful, imaginative elements, creating a sense of warmth and timelessness. Watercolor, my chosen medium, offers a unique balance between complexity and fluidity. I find joy in watching a piece slowly take form through layering, where each wash of color adds depth yet maintains the medium’s inherent lightness and impermanence.

Printmaking, on the other hand, is about distilling an image to its essence. The process demands simplicity, where every mark matters, and subtlety gives way to bold expression. Through block printing, I tap into a sense of humor and play, adding a graphic element that contrasts with the fluidity of my watercolor work. The versatility of printmaking allows for spontaneity—each print is slightly different, embracing the beauty of unpredictability and pushing me to trust the process.

For me, there is immense pleasure in creating beautiful things and offering them as a shared experience with others. My work is an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty in simplicity and the profound nature of memories. Whether through the fluid washes of watercolor or the bold lines of printmaking, I aim to evoke joy and connection, sharing my own memories while resonating with those of the viewer.