We recently had the chance to connect with Erick Watson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Erick, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes the most recent thing that has made me feel proud was getting the opportunity to design a bag for Jamie Foxx, it’s truly an honor
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Born and raised in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Erick Watson—better known in the art world as Artbyewatts—is turning creative energy into a movement.
Known for his bold mixed media works and signature neon glow art, Erick’s style is instantly recognizable. From gallery walls in Nashville and Murfreesboro to vibrant walls in Florida’s Wynwood arts district, his pieces aren’t just seen—they’re felt. “Art is more than what you look at,” Erick says. “It’s about what you walk away with. I want you to feel something different every time the light hits it.”
But for Erick, creativity doesn’t end with the canvas. Under his fashion label Vintage High Clothing, he’s taken his artistry into the world of wearable expression. “I recently dropped my first wave of passion projects—1 of 1 custom-designed leather bags and moto jackets,” he shares. “Every piece I create is limited, intentionally rare. I want people to feel like they’re rocking something that no one else can get their hands on.”
The philosophy behind Vintage High Clothing is rooted in authenticity and exclusivity. “Mass production? That’s not me,” Erick says. “I’m focused on storytelling through unique, handcrafted design. My pieces are made to spark conversations and confidence.”
With a style that blends streetwear grit, high-fashion details, and electric artistic energy, Erick has carved out a lane that’s all his own. Whether you’re viewing one of his neon-lit portraits or wearing a one-of-a-kind jacket from Vintage High, you’re stepping into his vision.
And the future? “Just wait on it,” he says with a grin. “This fall, Vintage High Clothing is dropping something serious. New art, new designs—limited drops that’ll shake the game up.”
So if you’re in the Nashville area—or anywhere creativity lives—keep your eyes open for Artbyewatts and Vintage High Clothing. Erick Watson is making sure the world knows: the glow is real.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I truly believed I was going to be rich my whole life, I always thought that would make me happy, but nah the chance to still be alive and creating is a blessing, and to make people feel something in my creativity.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Being humble and keeping my faith, and realizing that nothing comes over night,
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Being able to have a space to create and my kids and family of course, but creating is a passion of mine, and I would die if I can’t create an express my mind
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I want people to tell when I’m gone is that I never gave up to all the ups and downs, struggles the nose the uncertainty of life itself that I pushed through it all and that I was Iconik in my own right as an artist and a creative and a designer.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @artbyewatts @vintagehighclothing
- Facebook: The same
- Youtube: Find the art 1
Image Credits
Michael Marlow for taking my photos
