DREI FRAGEN with Artist Jordan Lucien Watson AKA Watts

Artist Watts shares his artistic wisdom.

Each Wednesday I ask a different artist the same three questions.

This week's featured artist, Jordan Lucien Watson AKA “Watts”. I stumbled across his amazing work on Instagram via Tarka Russell. I love his style, it feels familiar to me, and it’s not a million miles away from my own style. He’s definately a mentor from afar and I hope we cross paths soon.

1. What first sparked your interest in creating art?

Art was always in my life, but I didn’t recognize it as a path at first. My mom was an oil painter, my dad was a wood sculptor and leather craftsman, but growing up, I wasn’t exposed to museums or traditional fine art spaces. What I did see was graffiti in New York in the ’80s and ’90s, and the graphics on skateboard decks—that was my first real connection to visual art. I didn’t think of it as “art” at the time, just something that resonated with me.

Then, when I was around 13, I got grounded and started sketching National Geographic covers out of boredom. That’s when I realized I had a natural ability to draw. But even then, I didn’t take it seriously—I wanted to be a skateboarder or an archaeologist. It took years, a career in finance, music management, and a lot of life experience before I circled back to art and fully embraced it as my own.

2. What are your regrets?

I don’t dwell on regrets because everything I’ve done brought me to where I am. But if I had to pick one, maybe it’s that I didn’t recognize myself as an artist earlier. I spent a long time curating and sharing other people’s work through Love Watts before I had the confidence to put my own art into the world. That said, I also think that process—the years of studying, of seeing what resonates with people—shaped my vision in a way that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

So, maybe it’s less of a regret and more of a reminder: trust your instincts earlier. Don’t wait for permission.

3. What wisdom would you offer someone beginning their art career, or exploring art for the first time at any stage in life?

Make what feels real to you. Don’t chase trends, don’t worry about the market—just create work that excites you. The more personal it is, the more universal it becomes.

Also, expose yourself to as much art as possible. Not just the classics, not just what’s hyped online—go deep. Find the overlooked, the underappreciated, the weird. That’s where originality lives.

And lastly, put your work out there. Art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Share it, refine it, let it evolve in conversation with the world. The biggest mistake is waiting until you feel “ready.” You never will. Start anyway.

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Jordan Watson’s Artwork at @robilantvoenagallery

Check out the wonderful Watts on Instagram.

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