History

Eugene Watson began Watson Woodworks in 1990 in an old 1200 square foot loft just outside of Chinatown in Chicago, Illinois.  Prior to woodworking, Eugene designed the electronics components for the black boxes in airplanes. Eugene holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Technology from Southern Illinois University. Eugene’s interest in woodworking evolved from his childhood and was influenced by his father and grandfather. He chose to pursue woodworking over an electronics career because he is able to express his creativity with his hands and designs innovative pieces in a relatively short period of time. Eugene is now recognized nationally and internationally for his boxes. In his free time, Eugene enjoys playing guitar and mandolin.

In 1997, Eugene and his wife Marguerite moved to Colorado. Eugene now breathes fresh mountain air, enjoys milder temperatures, and listens to the wildlife while he works.  

Best of Show/Pioneers Museum , RMFWG, Colorado Springs, CO, Oct. 2003

Best of Show/Fine Craft, Castle Rock Art Fair, Castle Rock, CO, Sept. 2001

1^st Place, Colorado Business Art Exhibition, Denver, CO, May 2000

3^rd place, Colorado Artists Art Fair, Denver, CO May 2000

1^st place in wood, Evergreen Art Fair, Evergreen, CO, August 1999

Invitational Award, Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI, July 1999

2^nd Place, Colorado Business Art Exhibition, Denver, CO, May 1999

Honorable Mention, Laumeier Art Fair, St. Louis, MO, May 1999

Best of show/wood; Brookside Art Fair, Kansas City, MO, May 1999

1st place/wood, Boston Mills Art Festival, Peninsula, OH, June 1997 & 1998

1st Place/Wood, Laumeier Art Festival, St. Louis, MO, May 1998

Award of Excellence, National Craft Festival, Northbrook, IL, May 1998

2^nd Place/wood, Summerfair, Cincinnati, OH, May 1997 & 1998

Best of Show, Prairie Arts Festival, Schaumburg, IL, May 1996 & 1997

1^st Place, 3D, Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival, Hinsdale, IL, June 1996

Best Design in Wood, Cedarhurst Craft Festival, Mt. Vernon, IL, 95 and 96

1^st Place, Edwards Place Fine Craft Fair, Springfield, IL, September 95 and 96

Best of Show, 3D, Wells Street Art Festival, Chicago, IL, June 1995

Invitational Award, Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI, July 1995

·         Original box design published in a book by Tony Lydgate, The Art of Making Elegant Jewelry Boxes, (New York, N.Y.: Sterling Publishers, 1996).  128-129.

·         Designed and built an ornament for the White House permanent collection in 1996.

·         Original box design published in a book Andrew Crawford Fine Decorative Boxes, (New York, N.Y.: Sterling Publishers, 1998). 139.

·         Wrote article “Mystery Box” American Woodworker magazine  #65 (April 1998): 48-51.

·         Original box design published in a book by Peter Lloyd and Andrew Crawford Celebrating Boxes, (Hertford, U.K.: Stobart Davies, 2001). 147-149.