Nationally Recognized Watercolorist From Montco Passes Away At 93

WYNCOTE, PA — A suburban Philadelphia artist known the country over for his watercolors and illustrations passed away at a Glenside, Montgomery County assisted living facility last month.

Howard Noel Watson died at age 93 on June 17, the death resonating across the Philadelphia arts community due to the man's contribution to the national arts scene.

Watson, who was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, resided in Wyncote, a section of Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County, not far from the Philadelphia city line.

Watson was a nationally recognized watercolorist and illustrator whose work was commissioned by the likes of former President Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Walter Mondale, former President Bill Clinton, singer Perry Como, Hall of Fame basketball coach Jack Ramsey and others, according to his obituary.

“I take these [commissions] as being fun,” Watson told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1995. “It always has to be fun. I try not to be overwhelmed by anything that I do, because that’s not important. What you are leaving in this world, that’s what’s important.”

Watson, according to his obituary, had taught at Woodmere Art Museum for more than 15 years. The museum is located in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood, not far from his home in Wyncote, Montgomery County.

He also led classes at the Abington Arts Center and the Oreland Arts Center, both in eastern Montgomery County.

Watson, who was known for painting scenes from the City of Philadelphia as well as nearby suburban communities, also performed painting workshops both nationally and internationally.

A story in The Philadelphia Inquirer says that Watson's art career was inspired by his father, who worked as a cartoonist and photo engraver in his native Schuylkill County.

One of his accomplishments during his art career was once selling postcards adorned with his art, which fetched $30,000 that went toward local homelessness projects, the Inquire story states.

Watson was a member of the Allied Artists of America and the Philadelphia Watercolor Society; he served as president of the latter for a 10-year period, according to his obituary.

Watson also served on the boards of the Port of History Museum, the Victorian Society, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness and the Woodmere Art Museum, his obituary states.

He had received his formal art training at Penn State University, Temple University's Tyler School of Fine Art, and the University School of Arts, which was formerly known as the Museum School of Art.

Watson is survived by his wife, Irene, as well as daughter Susan Watson, son Christopher Watson, grandchildren Ashley, Amanda and Nicholas, and great-grandson Milo.

He was predeceased by daughter Teresa and brothers Robert and James.

A celebration of life event was expected to be announced at a later date.