Photo Credit: James Borchardt / Jaytilya Watkins, artist and author
(PENSACOLA, Flor.) - Many of us have different ways to express things that we have endured in our lives. Some may write songs or go to the gym; others may be like Jaytilya Watkins from Alabama and frequent visitor of Pensacola, Florida, and use their life experiences to create art and write and publish books.
“I started to create illustrations when I was about four years old. I was just fascinated with the world and would visualize things in my head and then draw it. Years later, I turned the illustrations into artwork.”
Watkins not only has created her own art pieces, but has sold them as well. Watkins stated that he has sold her original anywhere from $50 to $200. She has had personal requests as well.
When asked what inspires her with her artwork, Watkins stated, “Everything in life from the good to bad situations. It motivates me and inspires me. Sometimes in life, it takes a person to be in a downward situation to gain inspiration to create something out of nothing. Sometimes in life, a person can gain inspiration to create also.”
“I love to do art when I’m in the most difficult situations in life when I’m depressed, because it helps me with my depression. I love to do art when I’m not depressed, because I love to create new creations. I love to challenge myself each time to illustrate or paint new things that I’ve never [done] before. The success is when I’m able to sell it to someone who loves it and hopefully won’t throw it in a basement somewhere and forget about it.”
Photo Credit: James Borchardt / Two examples of Watkins’ artwork
Not only is Watkins an artist, but she also has written and published three books from 2014 to 2018, including “The Misunderstood African American Female”, “Devotion, Obsession, & Deceptions”, and “Queens in a Warzone”.
“My first book was published in June 2014, and it’s titled 'The Misunderstood African American Female!' This is a nonfiction story about a young, beautiful, African American or black, girl named Ratilya Martin who grew up in an alcohol/drug-infested home with a loving mother and abusive father. This story represents the black women who grew up in these types of toxic environments.”
“My second book was published at the end of that year in December 2014, and it was titled ‘Devotion, Obsession, & Deceptions!’ It's a nonfiction book about a rich, beautiful girl named Hara Weatherson. While in college far away from home, she meets a college student named Stephen Golden and they become the best of friends. Once she rekindles her love with her old flame named Bishop Summers. She will then discover just how deranged a man can become. This book has an indie movie to it called 'Devotion!’”
She explains, “Because it’s an indie movie, it’s not mainstream. It’s available on an online movie website called Gumroad.”
Watkins explained her other book as well.
“The third book is a fiction book, and it’s titled ‘Queens in a Warzone!’ This book is about five African American women who grew up in a violent neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, who went through ups and downs but through it all (underage pregnancies, violent incidents, like rape and other incidents), they remain close to each other. Their sisterhood was unbreakable until one day, something happened that would shake the core of their bond.”
Photo Credit: James Borchardt / Watkins three previously published books
When asked what her current projects are, Watkins stated, “As of right now, I am writing a book that I plan to publish as soon as possible. It is about past traumas and women’s issues that I constantly see happening. I want to be that voice for that little girl or woman who’s getting abused or getting mistreated in some type of way but too afraid to speak up. I also want to be that motherly voice of warning to her through my books.”
Watkins stated that she would like to be famous, but the most important part of her works is to “leave a legacy with her work by helping others and hope to inspire others to write as well.”
Watkins has frequent podcasts on her YouTube channel that focuses on the talents of ordinary people. At the time of this publication, she has over 54,000 followers.
Her books are available from Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and all online bookstores. They also ordered through her website.
You can contact Watkins or order her books from the links listed below. Watkins stated that her artwork can be ordered to any size or type of paper. She also offers framing options.
Website: jaytilyamwatkins.com
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@jaytilyawatkins
Facebook: facebook.com/jaytilyaw
Instagram: @jaytilyamwatkins
Email: JmjMusic85@gmail.com
Phone Number: 1-(251) 593-7483
To contact me for questions or comments, please contact me at james.b@lead4earth.org.
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