Ted Watts’ art exhibit runs through October

Ted Watts began drawing characters from his favorite comics and of his fellow classmates when he was a child. At that time, little did he know that he would become a nationally renowned artist with a career in creating paintings of popular and famous athletes.

His art is now on display at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium throughout the month of October. Visitors can stop by the auditorium between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to view the collection for free. There will be a reception with light refreshments and a cash bar from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Auditorium to celebrate his art and hear about Watts from his family and friends.

Ted Watts career

Building on his early interest in art, Watts went on to study art and advertising at Pittsburg State University. He initially worked in advertising but soon realized he could make a living as an independent artist.

He launched his career from his home in Oswego, KS, working upstairs while raising two boys with his wife, Faye, before eventually moving into a studio in downtown Oswego.

Watts specialized in illustrations and drawings for college and university sports programs and departments. His first major college sports client was the University of Arkansas, followed by the University of Kansas (KU) and Oklahoma State University. His client base grew organically by word of mouth and appreciation of his work, his sons, Thom and Brad Watts, shared.

Over his career, he produced over 6,000 original artworks, including iconic paintings of George Brett, Mickey Mantle, Michael Jordan and entire college football teams.

He became especially known for his Heisman Trophy portraits—having drawn every winner from the award’s beginning through much of the 2000s, possibly the only artist to do so.

Watts was inducted into the PSU Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Hall of Fame.

You may have come across a copy of The Little Balkans Review, which began in the early 1980s. Watts created the periodicals alongside his brother-in-law Shelby Horn and Eugene DeGruson, who were friends and business partners, as part of the Little Balkans Foundation.

A devoted dad

When an artist’s need to create hits it can consume time, but Watts still found ways to be there for his boys.

Despite his intense workload, he prioritized family—waking at 2 or 3 a.m. to work before breakfast with his boys, then returning home in the afternoons to be present.

He took his sons on regular “Saturday Adventures” across southeast Kansas, a tradition Brad now continues with his own daughter, calling them “Dadder Days.”

Every four years, he painted a portrait of his two sons growing up together—creating a deeply personal timeline of their childhood in art.

“He always, always, was able to make time for family,” Thom Watts said. “He could also talk to anybody about anything.”

It wasn’t until Brad Watts was older, and now a father, that he realized how much work his dad put into being a father, husband and artist.

“I don’t know how much sleep he got in his life, but he put just as much work into being a dad and a husband as he did being an artist,” he said.

His works of art continue to hang in homes, stadiums and institutions. His sons carry forward his humor, storytelling ability and commitment to those he cared for. Though he never sought celebrity status, his art touched thousands.

You can see a list of Watts’ work here: https://www.tedwatts.org/