James C. Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James C. Watkins
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| Born | May 28, 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Ceramics, Pottery |
James C. Watkins is a famous American artist who works with clay. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1951. He grew up on a farm in Athens, Alabama. For over 40 years, he has created amazing art from clay.
Watkins is known for his large, double-walled ceramic pots. He also makes special tiles from porcelain that are cut with lasers. His art often has cool textures. He creates these textures using special heating methods called "alternative firing techniques." His porcelain tiles are made colorful by using special chemicals and heating them many times.
His art is so good that it was chosen for the 1993 White House Collection of American Crafts. This collection was put together by Michael Monroe, who was in charge of the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution. James C. Watkins' artwork is now part of 21 permanent collections. These include the Clinton Library in Arkansas and the Shigaraki Institute of Ceramic Studies in Japan. His art has been shown in 40 solo shows and 164 group shows.
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Teaching and Academic Life
James C. Watkins was a top professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He taught students about using ceramics in buildings and how to draw architectural plans. Being a "Horn Professor" is the highest award a teacher can get at Texas Tech University. It means they are recognized around the world for their amazing research or creative work.
Inspiration for His Art
Watkins gets ideas for his art from his childhood. He grew up in the southern United States in the 1950s and 60s. His parents were farmers, and he was the oldest of six children. Back then, big cast-iron pots were very important for farm families. His mother used these large black pots to make things like soap and hominy.
Watkins creates large, double-walled ceramic forms that look like these old cast-iron pots. He remembers helping his mother keep the fire hot around the pots. These memories inspire his unique artwork.
Awards and Honors
Watkins has received many awards for his art and teaching.
- 1990 The President's Excellence in Teaching Award, Texas Tech University
- 2005 Senior Fulbright Scholar Fellowship, Vietnam (he taught at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture)
- 2013 William D. Kerns Award for the Visual Arts
- 2016 Art on the Llano Estacado Legacy Award, from the Texas Tech University Museum Association
- 2019 Texas Master Award, from the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
- 2023 Texas State Visual Artist 3D Award, from the Texas Commission on the Arts
- 2024 West Texas Walk of Fame inductee, from Civic Lubbock, Inc.
- 2024 BADG Legacy Grant Recipient, from Black Artist +Designers Guild Grants
His Education Journey
- 1973 He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Ceramics and Drawing from the Kansas City Art Institute.
- 1977 He earned his Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Ceramics from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Books Written by James C. Watkins
James C. Watkins has also written books about art and design.
- Architectural Delineation Presentation Techniques and Projects 1st ed., with James T. Davis; Published by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2000.
- Architectural Delineation Presentation Techniques and Projects 2nd ed., with James T. Davis; Published by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2001.
- Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques, with Paul Andrew Wandless; Published by Lark Books, 2004.
- Niedrigbrand, (German translation of Alternative Kiln & Firing Techniques), with Paul Andrew Wandless; Published by Lark Books, 2005.
- Reflections Made of Memories, James C. Watkins; Distributed by Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2019.
Books About James C. Watkins
- A Meditation of Fire The Art of James C. Watkins, by Kippra D. Hopper; Publish by Texas Tech University Press, 1999.
Gallery
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James C. Watkins working in his studio.
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Double-walled Caldron from the ("Fragility Series"), made using a special firing method called saggar firing.
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Multi-fired porcelain tile from the ("Reflections Series").
