CONNECTING THE DOTS

By Forest Riggs –– The artistic legacy of Mark L. Watford


In January, Galveston Island was treated to a showing of the fantastic art works by long-deceased island resident and artist, Mark L. Watford. Watford, who passed away on Cinco de Mayo 2005, left a huge portfolio of his brilliant work and, thanks to the undaunting efforts of his sister Alice Watford and his surviving life partner Matt Hannon, Mark’s works are finding much deserved recognition and attention.

Before his death, Mark related to his sister: “…Someday, when I am gone and after a while, I think my work will be much loved and respected … living on.” And live on, it has! Just like the man himself, Mark’s story is unique and complex, just as one might expect from a multi-faceted artist.

The artist emerges

Mark L. Watford was born on December 18, 1953, in Baytown, Texas. The premature and breech birth was quite traumatic and resulted in Mark’s being a “scrawny” kid. Around age four, he developed a bad case of Rheumatic Fever that curtailed his outdoor activities and kept him confined to the house. Hilda, his mother, a talented artist herself, bought Mark crayons and drawing paper. If the boy was not going to be allowed out go outside and play or do other childhood activities, she wanted him to draw, paint and develop his burgeoning art skills.

In time, little Mark became very adept at recreating things on paper that he saw and thought about. Very early on, the young boy became enthralled with shapes, colors and combinations of figures and images. He was fascinated with borders and intricate mixings of shapes and patterns.

As time passed, his work became more and more detailed and involved, reflecting his sensitivity and compassionate nature.

His mother continued her encouragement of his work as she supported and praised every piece he created. He grew more confident as a young artist and longed for the praise and support of his father; however, that did not come. Alice feels this might have had something to do with Mark’s shyness and humble feelings about his talent and the self-promotion of his work.

As he grew older, he became better able to capture the images and designs that he saw in his ever-curious mind and in the art books he collected and studied. Very early on, he was captivated by colorful art deco depictions and nouveaux patterns — something that would later become a major component in his works.

After his parents divorced, Mark moved to Las Vegas with his mom and sister. There he began to explore photography and the art of capturing images of the world around him. He enjoyed photography and excelled in it, but it was the blank paper and drawing images that called to him the most.

A beautiful, young and talented blonde boy, Mark longed for more excitement and adventure, and this led him, like so many others, to hitchhike to San Francisco. It was the 1970s, the end of the Hippie era and the beginning of the Punk Rock scene. San Francisco was alive and happening. Mark drank it in and flourished in the scene.

Art was all around him in the city. He once stated, “Art is like breathing … have to do it … it is in my soul.” In the city, art was everywhere; architecture, billboards, galleries and museums all fueled his hunger for art and creative pursuits.

Working as head chef at The Holding Company, a restaurant located at Embarcadero Center in the city, Mark was very busy. In his spare time, drawing and creating images on paper became his escape. Friends noticed his work and praised his abilities, and many were gi ven early pieces. Mark still did not view himself as an accomplished artist, but he knew there was something special about his work and his ability to create these images on paper.

There is an art style, or technique, called pointillism (using various sizes and colors of dots to create an image) that is very popular, and Mark had been doing this for years. He preferred micro-pointillism and had perfected the technique. With a million dots, he was able to demonstrate shading and show flow and motion in his pieces.

Along the way, Mark met his neighbor, Matt Hannon. The two would see each other coming and going at the local bus stop. In time, they got to know each other and as they say, the rest was history. The two became a couple and took up residing together.

San Francisco was their pearl! With neighbors like a young guy named Robin Williams and the entire Tales of the City happening all around them, they were definitely in their element with parties, parades, protests, gatherings and lots of art.

At times, Mark would paint and create on butcher paper, sometimes passing the piece along to a friend or filing it away in a closet. Sadly, some of these early works were simply discarded. It was as if the young boy in Mark refused to accept his tremendous talent; it was still a hobby to him.

Editor’s note: Mark Watford’s amazing story doesn’t end here. For much more, please log on to MontroseStar.com.

Art in the time of AIDS

In 1987, like so many other young men, Mark was diagnosed with HIV. At that time, this was like a death sentence as the illness was completely misunderstood and came with a terrible stigma. A diagnosis of this nature could cost someone their job and their housing, completely disrupting their life. Mark’s employer was unable to provide insurance, as most companies would not insure patients with an HIV diagnosis. Things went from bad to worse for the struggling couple. But it was not just Mark who became ill; the entire city was being hit with the epidemic. Young men and women began to grow very ill and die. There was no treatment. The religious right felt it was the wrath of God and even then President Ronald Reagan refused any and all assistance to affected community. He would not even say the word AIDS. He was no great orator! It was a disgrace.

One of Mark’s doctors took a special interest in his case and suggested that he might be able to get Mark into a special study program being conducted at UTMB Galveston. As Mark grew up in Baytown he had always liked the island and the easy lifestyle it offered. Matt liked the idea of moving to Galveston, as the quaint island reminded him of Charleston.

The couple moved to the island in 1992 and bought a grand, old Victorian at 33rd Street and L Avenue. This became home. Together they restored the house, complete with bright red and white awnings, ornate staircase and beautiful tiled fireplace surrounds. The house was the envy of many friends and locals. They entertained, got on committees and boards and very quickly became integral parts of the community. During this time, Mark was getting recognition for his brilliant artwork; folks were taking notice of this “new” artist. He designed the first posters for the Silk Stocking Ball in 1995, The Banner Party and even early Mardi Gras posters. Everyone loved the dynamic couple and they had cemented their standing in the Galveston community.

In 1990, when the statue of Texas Heroes Monument was being refurbished, Watford created a beautiful blue poster that depicted of Galveston’s Lady Victory statue, pointing to San Jacinto. These posters are still available as many were printed and used in another fund-raising efforts.

Mark’s work began to show up all over the island and in other places. Art lovers recognized his talent and the preciseness in his work, and they wanted to own a piece of it. A few shows cropped up here and there and even the Houston art scene was aware of his work.

Unfortunately, at the time, there were no successful medications or treatments for AIDS. Mark slowly deteriorated and succumbed to the illness on May 5, 2005. With his sister Alice and life partner Matt by his side, Mark could no longer fight the disease that was ravaging his body. Before he died, he shared with Alice a vision of his death scene that he had dreamed. “I am in a room and the curtains are blowing in the wind, it is all white and beautiful, peaceful….”

As Mark drew his last breath, Alice shouted from the porch to open the windows in the room where Mark lay dying. Matt, who had stepped out for some air was sitting on the back porch. As Mark’s soul left him, all the curtains suddenly blew out the window.

The work remains

Over the subsequent years, Mark’s artwork and contributions to the Galveston Art Scene has lived on. His works hang in many private collections and occasionally are used on posters or celebration pieces. His ability and style have made them timeless and collectable.

Alice has worked diligently to build the collection. She locates his works and manages to get them to add to her collection. With the help of her dear friend, Cindy Hillman, owner of Galveston Framed Gallery, she has collected and restored many pieces. Her house is a gallery shouting the talents of her brother. And it’s not just painting and drawings; Watford painted furniture with beautiful Deco and Nouveau design that survives today.

Hannan also placed many of his personal and treasured pieces with those that Alice accumulated, and the collection is immense and awe-inspiring. Each piece is titled and has a story to go with it. There is so much to see, from tiny card-like pics to grand wall-size depictions all executed with Prismacolor pencils — full of color with dancing ladies, frogs on reeds, a boy riding a bicycle, fabulous birds and colorful masks, costumes and blended still-lifes of everyday objects, as interpreted through Mark’s artistic eye.

In January, the Access Care Coastal Texas organization held a showing of Mark Watford’s works. The exhibit, Hope Springs Eternal, was presented in conjunction with Galveston Art Week. Of the show, Lesley Summer, chief executive officer of ACCT said: “The show exceeded our expectations by far. Mark’s beautiful work captivated our visitors.”

Under the direction of talented staff member Travis Newman, the cafeteria was transformed into a gallery that would rival that of any in New York or Boston. Newman’s vision of draping the walls and windows in black transformed the bland cafeteria into an elegant hall, bejeweled with Mark’s colorful works. With the efforts of Alice, the show was a huge success and offered visitors an opportunity to experience the works of the brilliant artist that has been gone so many years. It was his dream and his vision.

Mark often reflected on his HIV status and the terrible toll it was taking on him and the world. One such depiction of the quilt, with all the names on the pieces is quite haunting and prophetic. ACCT chose the piece Hope Springs Eternal, the “quilt piece” to represent the show during Art Week.

Mark did believe that there was hope and that someday the terrible plague would be gone.

Alice Watford has painstakingly collected and preserved the works of her brother, Mark. She is available for interviews, presentations and showings. She hopes to create a line of prints, posters, cards and other items that would generate funds for organizations like ACCT and keep Mark’s works alive. She can be reached at [email protected].

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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