Anita Watts sculptor of bronze sculpture commissions: Children | Bronze Portraiture | Memorials | Historical Figurative Subjects | Canine | Equine | Arabian Horses
About Anita Watts

Drama, suspense and excitement in Sculpture are very important to me. I strive to capture in "mid-air" children interacting with animals, or people connecting with each other, or the unique characteristics of wildlife and habitat. How inextricably connected we all are with nature and with each other. Observing these relationships and reactions has greatly influenced my work in sculpture.

In my sculpture I am trying to express this special connection that we have with each other and with the natural world around us. The harmonious perfection of God's creation as seen through nature inspires my ideas. I look for a situation where there is an action and reaction. It is that interaction between people and animals, or people and people, or wildlife and their habitat, that I try to capture… that life, movement, and suspended animation that lifts inert sculpture into a new dimension that is then carried forward by the viewer's imagination. The majority of my work is done on commission as bronze portraits of people and animals. I enjoy working with clients and watch for the way they connect and interact with others. I also enjoy sculpting all kinds of animals doing things with people, young and old. My intent is to capture the drama and action of a special moment to perfection. I am always in pursuit of excellence, combining my artistic vision with an infinite love for people and animals, and transforming that into bronze sculpture.

Equine subjects have always had a special attraction for me. The horse, from war-horse to work-horse was a precious gift from God to man and helped shape the course of world history. As an artist I admire the strength, grace, and beauty of the horse, but what intrigues me most is their marvelous personality. How the horse responds and interacts with humans is the focus of my sculpture. Does he show affection, trust, curiosity, fear, or flight? What I capture in my equine sculpture is this very special connection between horse and man.

Often what I notice and use in my art work is not an earth shattering event, but a simple emotion or a fleeting moment in time that I want to capture for a lifetime. My sculpture tends to dwell on the positive events in our lives… events that bring love, joy and peace …sculpture that makes you smile in fond remembrance of a familiar time.

"Photo of Bill…my driver…my encourager…my best friend…my husband."

Education:

Diploma – The School of the Dayton Art Institute – Cum Laude - 1962

BFA – SW Missouri State University – Sculpture & Illustration - 1965

MFA – Miami University – Sculpture & Art Education - 1968

Work History:

1962 - 1966 - Wood Carver’s Guild – Silver Dollar City – Branson, MO

1966 - 1968 - Free Lance Illustration – Dayton, Ohio

1968 – 1998 - H.S. Art Educator, Dept. Chair, Eaton City Schools

1998 – Present - Full time Bronze sculptor

Professional Memberships:

NSS - The National Sculpture Society

ISC - The International Sculpture Center

OAC - The Ohio Arts Council

OSC - The Ohio Sculpture Center

SC - The Sculpture Collector

ARTT – Artistic Responsibility to Truth

DAI - The Dayton Art Institute

PCAA - The Preble Co. Art Association

Recent Awards & Bronze Commissions:

June 2010 – Juried in to RiverSpan International Sculpture Exhibition & Sale – Cincinnati, OH

January 2010 – Private commission, "Beth", Ryan Family Services LLC, Dallas, Texas

August 2009 – Commission of two children, Joyce & Dennis Griffin, Elsmere, Kentucky

August 2008 – Private commission, The Borger Group, LLC, Elkhart, IN

July 2008 – Botkins Sculpture Invitational – featured sculptor – Botkins, OH

June 2008 – Juried in to RiverSpan International Sculpture Exhibition & Sale – Cincinnati, OH

Jan. 2008 - Commissioned Bronze Sculpture – Hoffman Enterprises, Plano, TX

Oct. 2007 - Commissioned Multiple Sculpture “Loving Friends” - Humane Society of Preble Co.

July 2007 – Juried in to Botkins Sculpture Invitational – Botkins, OH

May 2007 – Commissioned Memorial Portrait for Gene “Duke” Ellington, EHS Memorial

Jan. 2007 – Commissioned Memorial for John Bulkley, Redmond Towne Center, Redmond, WA

Dec. 2006 - INSS Award for Sculptor and Architect integrating sculpture with architecture

Oct. 2006 - First Place Sculpture – “Marissa” Dayton Area Sculptors & Painters Art Exhibit

Sept. 2006 - Eaton City Council Appreciation Award for Sculpture of Wm Bruce

June 2006 - Grant from Timken Foundation of Canton, OH for Public Sculpture

Apr. 2006 - Grant from Ohio Arts Council for Outdoor Sculpture

Mar. 2006 - Commission for Bicentennial Sculpture of 1806 historical figure

Jan. 2006 - Commission of “Marissa” for Virginia Fogg, Cleveland, OH

Oct. 2005 - Best of Show “Playing Hooky” sculpture - 14th Annual Juried Show, PCAA, OH

Sept. 2005 - Purchase Award from Brook Gould Memorial Trust for Public Sculpture

June 2005 - 41st Greater Hamilton Art Exhibition Merit Awards for 2 sculptures

Mar. 2005 - Commission of “Jimmy” for outdoor installation - Emily & Jim Shank, Eaton, OH

Feb. 2005 - One woman exhibit of sculpture – Preble Co Fine Arts Center, OH

Jan. 2005 - Commission of “Bo” for Barbara Hiestand Evans, Eaton, OH

AJ Amayzzing (Alada Baskin x Bey-Rose Gal) Photo by Stu Vesty.

Anita and Amayzzing at Ceasar's Creek State Park, Ohio

Anita and Amayzzing at Brown County State Park, Indiana

Anita and Amayzzing at Whitewater State Park, Indiana

Anita and Amayzzing at Hueston Woods State Park, Ohio

Anita and Amayzzing at Paint Creek State Park, Ohio

AJ Amayzzing (Alada Baskin x Bey-Rose Gal) Photo by Stu Vesty.