Artist Statement - Annie Watts

I have a background in the NHS and teaching, but have always enjoyed painting, drawing and ceramics, when I had the opportunity, as a hobby.

Now retired, I have taken on the challenge of doing a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Northbrook, which has been a journey filled with excitement, exploration and discovery. 

This has given me the chance to develop my skills and I have gained confidence using colour and different mediums and to experiment with alternative concepts. I have learned to explore the narrative in a piece and to work with the materials to create an image  that reflects a more abstract, contemporary style than I had previously used.

Artists I am particularly interested in are Agnes Martin with her use of colour, Frank Bowling for imagery, Patrick Heron for mark making and Magdalena Abakanowicz for textile experimentation and drama. Whilst these are completely different artists there is something about them all that offers an emotional response to the imagery.

My work starts with an intuitive choice of materials and now that I am focusing on ceramics, the use of clay and all its forms and opportunities is something I find really exciting. The story behind a piece that I am working on often evolves with the clay, and the initial planned piece may become something completely different as I consider and characterise my ideas. 

I have gained confidence in using the visual language of clay and colour, to complete a piece with a sense of achievement. My work is constantly developing and with the encouragement of my fellow artists and tutors I feel I am becoming an artist in the true sense of the word, able to exhibit and explain my concepts and ideas with confidence.

November 2024