A resident of Ocala (Florida) since 1953, New Jersey-born artist, Margaret Hill Watts has been inspiring Marion County residents through her passion for painting and decisive brushwork. Any observer viewing Watts' stimulating body of work is mesmerized by its high aesthetic quality as the artist transforms empty canvases into powerful images that engage our senses and touch our emotions.

EARLY EXPERIENCES
Watts' gift for the arts was recognized at an early age in her hometown of Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, a small community overlooking Raritan Bay.

"I was drawing pictures from the time I first started to hold a pencil," said Watts. "It was something that I could do well. The nuns were able to identify my artistic ability and encouraged me and my family to direct my efforts toward a career in the arts."

Her artwork won praise at an early age from her younger brother and his friends. "My claim to fame was that I was able to sketch Ted Williams," she offers. Watts also demonstrated her artistic talents through the resourceful use of nature's provisions found along the littoral landscape near her home.

"I didn't like the water, so I would spend my time molding faces of clay from a nearby cliff. Seaweed and shells provided hair and ornaments for my creations."

A number of sacrifices were made by Watts' parents in order that she be able to pursue the studies that would later become the foundation for her future career.

"I was fortunate that my parents were willing to stretch the family budget in order for me to take a bus to the next town to take oil painting lessons from an elderly lady. Sabina Gonzales, and her husband, were mural painters and inspired my love of the art form."

The Gonzales' had a profound influence on Watts' art and technique. Her training was classical and European in flavor, according to Watts.

"We replicated the European masters. I just seemed to gravitate toward portraits."

Landscapes have served as a source of inspiration, and Watts developed a deep appreciation for nature's beauty. Her training with Sabina Gonzales maintained her passion for earthly representations.

"Dutch landscapes were among my favorite pieces to reproduce while training with Sabina Gonzales."

Watts' hard work and determination as an artist display a deep respect for the subjects she chooses to paint.

"My inspiration comes from creation," she says. "My passion for landscapes were fostered during my youth at my grandmother's farm during summer vacations. We didn't have any of the modern amenities -- my brother and I had to chop and stack wood for my grandmother so she would be able to heat the cook stove for the forthcoming winter."

AROUND TOWN
Watts' diverse output and meticulous renderings are well represented throughout Marion County. The vast scale of a number of Watts' depictions embodies her passion, and her attention to detail and brushwork mastery are apparent throughout her artwork. Magnificent examples of Watts' devotion to her craft are the powerful religious images that were specifically commissioned by the Queen of Peace Church.

"I've painted a total of 40 pieces throughout the church ranging in size from a mural on a wall depicting the new Jerusalem behind the statues, a 17 x 11 ft. scene of the Resurrection, a 11 x 7 ft. depiction of the Mother of God holding the infant Jesus, and some pieces as small as 8 x 10 inches."

The depth of Watts' art and creativity is apparent in the series of four-foot wooden panels that feature evangelists in the style of Russian icons. Watts recently painted a work of art on a lift that was suspended forty feet above ground.

"It was an exhilarating experience," she remembers. "The first week I was on the lift, I was a bit nervous. I wore a safety harness and was able to position the lift -- by the time I finished the piece I felt very comfortable. I used metallic oils to mimic a metal bas-relief, in order to symbolize the subject of the painting, which was the evangelists. It's a joy to have my artwork hang in such a beautiful worship center."

An intense zeal for murals has compelled Watts to work on a number of large-scale pieces for businesses and charitable organizations. Her murals can be found on the outer walls and inside a number of buildings throughout Ocala.

"I draw inspiration from the love of people. The artist's pallet serves to set the mood reflecting timeless beauty. The projects are superbly detailed requiring patience and sacrifice, while creating a striking visual display."

Watts' murals can be seen on various locales in Ocala, including on the walls inside Brother's Keeper Soup Kitchen and the Legal Aid Offices, and on the outside wall of the Discovery Science Center. She also contributed to the mural on the outside wall of the Brick City Center for the Arts.

"I was part of a mural class organized by John Briggs, the artist in residence at Central Florida Community College. We were provided with safety belts, hard hats and paint, and we had to ascend up the scaffolding. My design was selected for the largest mural which is 30 x 60 ft." (The mural was destroyed when the building sold.)

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
A prolific artist, Watts subtle and exacting choice of media creates a distinctive style that continues to evolve, as evidenced by her vivid brushwork and dramatic execution. Her fresh, objective eye gives the viewing audience intimate glimpses of the incomparable beauty that's endemic to Marion County and North Central Florida. Watts' paintings allow for observers to recognize familiar views that populate many of her canvases, while capturing the essence of the region's irreplaceable heritage.

"I really like to work in pastel -- I also work in oil. The only time I work in acrylic is when I paint murals," Watts said.

One medium in which Watts rarely works is watercolors. A sequence of pieces that truly captures the spirit that embodies Marion County and its historical importance was painted in watercolors by Watts.

"I painted a series called 'Old Ocala.' They were ink drawings over-laid with watercolors. I had a series of note cards produced depicting the images."

Over the years Margaret honed her skills in numerous artists workshops. "I was very selective and I would only participate in workshops of those artists I admired," Watts stated. "I worked closely with New York-based Daniel Greene, a master pastelist, for my portrait work. I attended his workshops in New York, Atlanta, Sarasota and Ocala. Most of my training is in portrait work."

In addition to studying with Greene, Watts had the opportunity to work with another master pastelist, Albert Handel.

"Pastel is fast becoming my preferred medium. The range of color laid out on the work table is dessert for my eyes."

The canvases and paper used for pastel art are continuing to improve, according to Watts. She received much of her formal training through private instructors.

"An excellent local artist/teacher, Robert Camp, had emphasized that I paint from life," said Watts.

A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS
The warmth and kindness of the community has served as an inspiration and impetus for Watts' artwork.

"I moved to Ocala the year after graduating high school with my family. I had started to work as a typist in New Jersey, and continued with that vocation after relocating to Florida. I found employment in the county courthouse--when it was still on the square--working for the clerk of courts."

Watts continued to develop her skills while broadening her individuality in relationship to her artwork.

"Everyone was very supportive. I worked in the courthouse on-and-off for 18 years. I met my husband, Bernard, while working at the courthouse. He worked the court beat for the Ocala Star-Banner, and would eventually become editor before retiring."

Watts had a number of one-man exhibitions featuring breathtaking examples of the different media in which she has worked.

"I've had shows at Central Florida Community College and a number of locations in Ocala."

A strong commitment and devotion to her family precluded Watts from exhibiting her work more than a few times a year.

"I used to do just a few shows a year, but that was all right--it gave me more time to concentrate on my family," Watts said.

GENEROUS SPIRIT
Watts believes in giving back to the community, and not only has she been generous in volunteering her skills, materials and time in painting murals throughout Ocala, but her interest in generating exposure for the arts and educating aspiring artists has demonstrated her commitment to continued growth and development. Watts' passion is unmistakable.

"I'm a past president of the FAFO (Fine Arts Festival of Ocala), and have served on the board for 11 years. I served on a number of boards at the Appleton Museum and at the Brick City Center for The Arts. I give demonstrations and workshops for art groups in portraiture, and I've judged shows in Lake, Marion and Alachua Counties."

Watts' husband, Bernard, is an avid golfer and has encouraged her creativity and illustrious career. They have two sons, James, of Lakeland, Florida, and John of Charlotte, North Carolina. Both sons have a predilection for aviation and are licensed pilots.

According to Watts, "The inspiration for art has to come from within."

Margaret Watts has had six one-person shows and exhibits her award winning works in galleries in Florida and North Carolina.

She is a member of the Pastel Society of America and the American Society of Portrait Artists. Her portraits and inspirational paintings hang in collections throughout in the United States, Europe and South America.