Watson, E: The Weirding Field

The Weirding Fieldis a new kind of narrative scrapbook, telling the story of Gene Watson — folk artist, failed astronaut, phenomenon — through the eyes of his daughter, artist Esther Pearl Watson. Gene always followed his own vision despite what his boss, landlord, neighbors, or family thought he should be doing. As a child, Esther thought he was a misunderstood genius. As a teenager, she was painfully aware how he did not fit into the surrounding community. Gene Watson's saucer-building was hard on his family, both financially and emotionally — they grew up in poverty, often picking up beer cans on the side of the highway for gas money. Eventually, her parents were separated and her dad returned to Italy, the country from which he was adopted. He left behind many angry and hurt family members and creditors. Since his return to Italy, Gene Watson has sent his daughter letters filled with theories, diagrams, drawings, and advice. Esther has used both his successes and failures to direct her life and career as an artist, andThe Weirding Fieldbeautifully documents that dichotomy.