The Artwork and Practice of Thomas Watkins

Artist Statement

I explore two artistic realms: the quiet majesty of nature and the boundless freedom of abstraction, revealing everything from sunlit landscapes to the hidden textures and patterns of weathered forms.

Through my nature photography, I reveal the quiet grandeur of landscapes and the intimate poetry of flora and wildlife, capturing fleeting moments of light, texture, and atmosphere. I am drawn to the subtle details and patterns that often go unnoticed, allowing the ordinary to reveal its extraordinary qualities and encouraging viewers to see familiar environments with renewed attention.

With my abstract work, I translate perception and experience into color, shape, and form, drawing inspiration from Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and Wassily Kandinsky. These pieces explore the psychology of perception, story, and emotion, often hinting at the uncanny or macabre, inviting viewers to confront the hidden tensions and darker currents that shape the way we see and interpret the world.

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Awards

• November 2019 - Artwork "Zion's Depths" chosen to be featured in Saatchi Art's "Flora and Fauna" Collection

• July 2018 - Flow Received Second Place Award of Excellence for the "H2O" exhibition at the J. Mane Gallery of San Francisco.

• March 2018 - Vertical Blue Received First Place Award of Excellence for the "Seasons" exhibition at the J. Mane Gallery of San Francisco.

Exhibitions

• “Perspectives of Greater Phoenix”, Greater Phoenix Economic Council. - May 2025. Group exhibition - abstract titled "Desire"

• "Phoenix On Film", Phoenix Film Revival March 2020. - Group exhibition - I had three selenium toned silver prints in the month long exhibit depicting scenes of downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

• "Natural Adaptations," Photomark, 2009 - Solo exhibition - Featuring a series of abstract black and white silver prints, this exhibition examined the unique abstract patterns created by tree roots in their pursuit of water, captured through the lens of macro photography.

Events

Throughout the year, I journey across Arizona, sharing my fine art photography at select art festivals. These gatherings offer an opportunity not just to exhibit my prints, but to connect personally and meaningfully with collectors, art lovers, and fellow creatives drawn to the quiet power of abstraction and the enduring beauty of the natural world.

Education

Between 2007 and 2009, I immersed myself in a broad and enriching study of the arts. My path toward a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Art Education at Ottawa University was shaped by courses in photography, painting, drawing, life drawing, two-dimensional design, art history, psychology, and religious studies. This diverse foundation deepened my understanding of visual language and the emotional resonance of image-making.

Influences

My creative vision has been profoundly shaped by the works of artists such as Mark Rothko, Aaron Siskind, Willem de Kooning, Wassily Kandinsky, Jack Dykinga, and Alain Briot. Their mastery of form, color, and emotional depth continues to echo through my own work. These influences, discovered through years of study, contemplation, and practice anchor my process and inspire my ongoing exploration of photography as both a mirror and a metaphor.