Meet May Watson: Playful Art, Big Ideas and a New Addition to Our Artist Collective

We’re delighted to welcome May Watson to our collective of artists.

London-based, creatively curious and armed with a wonderfully sharp sense of humour, Watson creates vibrant paintings that sit somewhere between visual storytelling, graphic art and the everyday observations that make us laugh, pause and occasionally think, “that’s painfully true.”

Her work has an immediate visual appeal, but spend a little longer with it and there’s usually something more going on.

Words, characters, animals, objects and familiar situations become vehicles for observations about modern life, human behaviour and the wonderfully strange things we all do.

And now, we’re thrilled to have a selection of her work available to discover at Electric Gallery, including a number of original paintings, striking diptychs and a statement triptych.

Meet May Watson

Watson’s artistic background is a little different from the traditional route.

Alongside her fine art practice, she trained in comedy writing, a background that continues to play an important role in the way she approaches her paintings. Rather than treating humour as something separate from visual art, Watson builds it directly into her work.

The result is artwork that feels instantly accessible while retaining plenty of personality.

Her paintings often combine bold colour with handwritten text, simplified forms and playful compositions. A seemingly ordinary thought, interaction or observation can become the central idea of an entire piece.

It’s this ability to take something familiar and give it a new perspective that makes May Watson’s artwork so distinctive.

Art That Doesn't Take Itself Too Seriously

There’s a real sense of fun running through Watson’s work.

Her paintings can be witty, absurd, affectionate and occasionally a little bit ridiculous, but always with a sense of purpose. Rather than simply illustrating a joke, the humour becomes part of the visual language of the work.

That might mean an animal standing in for human behaviour, an unexpected phrase taking centre stage, or a simple observation becoming something much larger.

As Watson herself describes her practice, there’s a celebration of everyday absurdities and the joy of not taking life too seriously.

And that feels particularly fitting for a collection of artwork intended to live in the home.

These are paintings that can bring colour and energy to a room, but they can also give you something to smile at every time you walk past them.

Discover the May Watson Originals

For collectors looking for something truly unique, our May Watson collection includes a selection of original paintings.

Unlike an editioned print, each original is a one-of-a-kind piece created by the artist, making these works particularly special for collectors who want to own a piece directly from Watson's practice.

Her use of bold colour and expressive text makes the originals especially impactful when seen at their intended scale.

They are works with plenty of personality, and the kind of pieces that can become a focal point within a room.

Diptychs That Work as One

One of the most exciting parts of the collection is Watson’s use of the diptych.

By spreading an idea across two panels, she creates compositions that feel bigger than a single image while retaining the playful simplicity that characterises her work.

The two pieces can work independently, but together they create a stronger visual conversation.

For collectors and interiors looking for something a little different, a diptych can also be a brilliant way to introduce artwork across a larger wall without relying on a single oversized canvas.

Watson’s diptychs make particularly good use of this format, allowing colour, text and imagery to move from one panel to the next.

A Statement Triptych

And then there’s the triptych.

Our collection also includes a statement May Watson triptych - Busy Dreaming, extending her visual language across three panels to create a genuinely eye-catching piece.

Triptychs have a natural architectural quality: three individual works become one larger composition, creating a sense of rhythm and movement across the wall.

Watson’s playful approach makes the format even more interesting, with the relationship between each panel becoming part of the artwork itself.

It’s the sort of piece that doesn’t simply fill a wall, it becomes the starting point for the room around it.

Why We Love May Watson

There are plenty of artists making colourful, contemporary work. What makes May Watson stand out is the combination of colour, humour and storytelling.

Her paintings don't demand that you take them seriously.

But they do invite you to look a little closer.

That balance is what makes the work so enjoyable. There’s an immediate visual impact, followed by the small discovery of a phrase, character or idea that gives the piece its personality.

It’s contemporary art with a sense of humour and we think that’s something worth making more room for.

Explore May Watson at Electric Gallery

We’re incredibly excited to introduce May Watson to the Electric Gallery artist collective, and even more excited by the range of work we have available.

From unique original paintings to playful diptychs and our statement triptych, there’s a fantastic opportunity to discover Watson’s work in a variety of formats.

Whether you’re already familiar with her work or this is your first introduction to the artist, we think there’s plenty here to explore.

Discover the May Watson collection at Electric Gallery.