Jenna Watson (b. 2003), originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, is a painter currently based in Savannah, Georgia. She is expected to graduate with a B.F.A in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2026. Watson’s practice combines traditional figurative painting techniques with expressive brushstrokes and color reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism. She is a multi-disciplinary artist that works in a variety of mediums, including acrylic and oil paint, paper, collage, sculpture, printmaking, and poetry. Her current body of work explores her childhood and feminine identity through object symbolism and bold compositions.
Watson has been exhibited in group shows such as the SCAD Fine Arts Showcase and local Savannah art fairs. Several of Watson’s paintings have been published in the literary magazine Canyon Voices. Her works are also being held in various private collections.
Bio
Artist Statement
My studio practice is built upon the body. It is a house, full of experiences, contradictions, and statements. I draw upon these tenets, as well as my own memories as a child and adult, in the creation of my work. I examine the intense emotions that stem from these memories and utilize them within my compositions and color palettes. I use objects and symbolism to evoke a sense of familiarity within my audience, while also forming dialogue for where my female identity stands in a larger societal context. I develop a catalogue of issues I face while creating the work itself, which serves as a moment of introspection and emotional regulation.
My brushwork and material gathering is inspired by the artistic movement of Abstract Expressionism. It focuses on form, color, and expression, while still incorporating traditional figurative work within that context. Found objects that have personal meaning to myself, such as seashells or paper, are placed upon my canvases to emphasize the connection between physicality and remembrance. I infuse them with thick layers of paint, blurring the line between flat surfaces and three-dimensional mediums. Additionally, I emphasize pink pigments, not only due to their historical baggage, but what they represent to women. I deconstruct them and their societal connotations, reclaiming the color as a tool of self-assertion and confidence.
Through my art, I seek to create a space where women who have had similar experiences to me can find commonality and respite. I present my body unapologetically, subverting common beauty ideals and allowing others to see themselves within me.