I am interested in doing people’s portraits. I want to catch the faces and expressions, happy or sad. I use pencil on paper and smudge the shadows. When I draw people I get to know them, even if I have never met them before.

Veronica Watson is a founder member of Blue Room, Bluecoat’s inclusive arts project . She has created work at Bluecoat, Liverpool’s contemporary arts space since 2007. Watson has many years experience as a self-advocate, speaking out for the rights of learning disabled people. Most recently Watson has advocated for greater recognition for learning disabled artists, presenting at large arts industry conferences across the UK. Watson’s artistic practice focuses on accurate observational drawings of the people and places around her. Recently, during her first studio residency, Watson focussed on developing her portraiture through documenting the many and varied faces of the artists, staff and volunteers she encounters at Bluecoat. The Studio Me exhibition, held at Bluecoat presented these first explorations in this new chapter of Watson’s creative practice.