Erik Gist

Erik M. Gist received his B.A. from SDSU in 1998. He began studying with Jeff Watts in 1996, three years later he began to teach and has done so ever since.. Erik has worked in the video game industry as a concept designer and 3-D artist and is now working as a freelance illustrator. Erik's clients include Marvel Comics, D.C. Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Disney, Audible, Wizards of the Coast, Upperdeck, Boom! Studios, Palladium Books, Blizzard Entertainment, Viking Childrens Books, Monkey Brain Books, Quart Publishing, and Chiat-Day. His work can be seen in Spectrum: the best in fantastic art including a nomination in 2018, and Aphrodesia: art of the female form 1 . Along with a Spectrum nomination, he has been nominated for an Illie Award, a Pulp Ark Award, a Chesley Award, and multiple Horror Comic Awards including one win. For more information about Erik's art please visit his website at www.erikgist.com.

Evan Collene

Evan Collene is an aspiring artist who is currently working towards building a career in illustration. He began his study at Watts Atelier after finishing high school and has continued studying the arts ever since.

Kiera Coyle

Meadow Gist

Meadow Gist has studied at Watts Atelier for the past six years, and has taught there for the last three. She began her art career in the corporate field painting displays and murals for a major retail chain. Her work has been exhibited as a finalist in the International Artist Magazine's Still Lifes and Florals Competition 2006 and as a "Top 50" selection at Salon International 2007. Meadow is represented by Willow Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. You can find more information on Meadow's work at www.meadowpaint.com

Alannah Rose

Alannah Rose received her B.A. in Studio Art from Dartmouth College in 2013. She worked as a graphic designer for a variety of clients in the non profit, food, and gaming sectors before beginning her studies online with Watts Atelier in 2019. After studying with the online school and streaming programs, she left her career in design, moved to Southern California, and began training in person in 2021. She is currently teaching and pursuing a career as a professional illustrator.

Jeff Watts

Jeff Watts studied at The California Art Institute where he was soon invited to teach as he began his illustration career in the movie industry. However, Jeff’s desire to become an easel painter would draw him back to San Diego where he started a small life drawing and painting studio which has evolved into Watts Atelier of the Arts now managed by Jeff and his wife, Krista. Jeff's oil paintings have won numerous awards including First Place Portrait category and Second Place Landscape category from the Artist's Magazine, two consecutive Second Place Awards at the Salon International Exhibition, three Honor Awards from the Portrait Society of America, 3 Awards of Excellence from Oil Painters of America and 3 Top 100 Awards from Arts for the Parks. Watts's work has been featured in Southwest Art , American Artist, Art of the West, Western Art Collector, American Art Collector, Drawing and Workshop magazines. He holds Master Signature member status from the Oil Painters of America and is a Signature member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and an artist member of the California Art Club. Jeff participates in the prestigious Prix de West Invitational at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and was recently honored with a Solo Exhibition at the Taos Art Museum and Fechin House. He is represented by Trailside Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ and Jacksonhole, WY and Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. For more information regarding Jeff’s fine art visit www.JeffreyRWatts.com.

Travis Wilson

Travis Wilson moved to California to attend Watts Atelier at the beginning of 2018, studying with the Online Program before that. For the past five years he has worked towards his goal of teaching and working as a professional artist. On top of being a student and now a teacher, Travis also assists in running the behind the scenes of the Atelier. Finding much interest in design and sketching, Travis seeks to help others learn about how to bridge the gap between academics and creativity.

Ben Young

Ben Young has studied at Watts Atelier for the past seven years. He has worked as a freelance illustrator and conceptual designer. Clients include Sony Entertainment, Reflexive Entertainment, Upper Deck and Blizzard. Ben is currently working towards a career in fine art. View more of Ben's work at www.benmyoung.com