Meet Desanna Watson | Mixed Media Painter, Art Educator, Founder of Creative Gist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desanna Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desanna, why did you pursue a creative career?
As a child I recognized that art was a way for me to speak even in ways that transcended my limited vocabulary at the time. Throughout Highschool, Visual Arts was the most important subject to me so when it was time to choose careers there was nothing else that I wanted to do. It was the easiest decision of my life and still is.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My body of work documents my responses to experiences within space as a woman, an artist and as a citizen of the world at large. I am interested in highlighting the evident residue of limiting or oppressive belief systems that dictate how people can and often cannot navigate through spaces. I am most proud of the conversation that stems from my work and its ability to transcend race, class, gender and geographic locations.

My journey as an Artist-Educator has not been easy but it is my heart’s desire to be an example and reference for Caribbean students desiring to pursue Visual Arts as a career. The greatest challenge thus far has been balancing both my worlds, first as an Artist and secondly as an Art Educator. When my job gets too demanding, I remember that I want to be a powerful example of what a successful artist looks like to my students. With that thought, I gather the courage to push through the tiredness and actually create.

I have learnt that my journey and all its by-products are far beyond me. I create art to give voices to the many people who have been muted and give those that can make a change a distinct reminder of why they must remain relentless in implementing those changes. I want the world to know that art created by Desanna Watson is aimed at bridging gaps of communication between under-represented concerns of citizens and change agents. Art transcends decoration, it is an active agent of change.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is easy, we would start this trip in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. The first stop we will be making is at the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) and we will be viewing any exhibition that is happening at that time along with the permanent collection. The gallery is on the waterfront so after our visit , I would take my friend along the waterfront to take some beautiful photos for memory. Next stop is any KFC that is nearby because Jamaican KFC is the absolute best in the world. The next morning, my friend would be enjoying homemade ackee and saltfish with roast breadfruit (Jamaica’s National Dish). For the afternoon, we would watch a movie at Palace Cinema in Cross Roads and close off the night with a trip to the famous Devon House to get “Devon House I-Scream” and brownies at Chocolate Dreams. For the rest of this trip we are heading 3 hours out of town to Ocho Rios. There we will take a trip to Dunn’s River Park and spend two nights at Sandals Ocho Rios. Jamaica is too gorgeous to only have a one week vacation but my friend would definitely have a blast with this itinerary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother, Susanna Ormsby, is the most deserving of this shoutout. When many parents killed their child’s creative passion, my mother supported mine. I got all types of crayons and paintbrushes and markers and many spontaneous trips to art galleries and art fairs that I did not even know would be important to me one day. During art school, my mom always sent stories of artists who became famous after years of hard work, all in an effort to encourage my dreams. When I doubt myself and my capabilities, my mother is always there to remind me of who I am and that is, “an artist by my very existence.” I am the artist I am today because of my mother and I am forever grateful.

Website: desannawatsonart.squarespace.com

Instagram: @desanna.w.art

Linkedin: Desanna Watson

Youtube: Desanna Watson Art International

Image Credits
Shawna Drysdale and Kenoy Martin