Discover How a Savannah Artist Envisions Harmony Between Nature and Urban Life

Meeting Lisa D. Watson, an artist deeply passionate about the environment, felt especially poignant during the California wildfires. For over thirty years, Lisa has balanced urban growth with nature conservation, both in her art and through her company, Plan It Green Design, LLC. This company creates landscapes that are not only beautiful but also support local wildlife, using native plants that require little water.

Lisa is originally from Ohio. She earned her BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design and later worked as a muralist for film sets in Los Angeles. Now, she focuses on sustainable art practices, crafting pieces that utilize at least 90% reclaimed materials like paper, metal, and industrial wood. Her solo exhibitions address crucial environmental issues, such as habitat loss due to urban development. In her 2017 show at the Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, she highlighted the impact of infrastructure on nature, and her 2020 exhibition Deer Humans brought attention to endangered species like the Key deer.

Recently, Lisa prepared for her show Avant Gardener by collaborating with organizations dedicated to plant conservation. This exhibition focused on educating people about native plants and toured various venues, including the Ellis Gallery in Savannah and the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head. After this experience, Lisa felt inspired to reconnect with clay, something she hadn’t touched in decades. “I called Clair at Clayer & Co.,” she said, referring to the pottery studio where she rediscovered her love for pottery. “I will forever be a potter,” Lisa adds, glowing with joy.

At Clayer & Co., Lisa has access to various studios for hand-building, glazing, and even a retail shop for pottery supplies. Not long after her return to clay, gallery owners Wendy Melton and Clair Buckner invited her to showcase her work. Her upcoming show, Surroundings, Daydreaming in the Chaos, reflects her artistic journey, featuring ceramics, mixed-media collages, and paintings. It opens on February 1 and runs until March 8.

Lisa’s artwork is rich with imagination and a strong call for environmental balance. One striking piece from her exhibition features ceramic Carolina gopher frogs, an endangered species, amidst a dark installation symbolizing pollution. “This one’s a heart breaker,” she says about the piece, which includes a video of their natural habitat. Her Garden Mates series features delicate ceramics of local wildlife, while other works depict the consequences of human neglect toward nature.

In the Soil Saints series, Lisa honors people who have impacted her life, crafting hand-built clay sculptures that reflect their essence. These saints, rendered in rich brown clay, include family members and friends dedicated to conservation and gardening. One sculpture represents her grandmother, while another honors a friend from her gardening days in LA, showcasing their spirit and contributions.

Lisa’s art installation also includes a mural that captures the recent California fires, blending personal loss with a vision for hope. Yet, the toll of advocacy weighs on her. “I continuously think of ways to protect our ecosystems,” she reflects, highlighting the constant challenge of conservation work.

Join Lisa D. Watson at Ology Gallery for her new show, Surroundings, Daydreaming in the Chaos, opening on February 1. The gallery is located at 415 Bonaventure Road in Thunderbolt. This is not just art; it’s a plea for awareness and responsible choices for our environment.