About Us
Welcome to Watson Murals - a collaborative mural studio based in Austin, Texas
that turns inspired vision into standout spaces.
We partner with brands, designers, architects, schools, and communities to create large-scale murals, translating ideas into an experience that shapes how people feel when they enter a space.
We listen closely, ask the right questions, and consider the full context of a space before design begins. Architecture, environment, brand identity, and human experience all matter.
A mural isn’t just an accent—it’s a strategy.
It’s culture on a wall.
And yes, we can paint your 40 foot logo and custom concept your next seasonal installation.
Clients come to us not just for talent, but for clarity and flexibility. When you hire Watson Murals, you’re hiring a team that knows how to manage complexity, communicate clearly, and deliver with care.
The dream?
To help you create spaces that spark a mood, honor your mission,
and leave a mark that lasts long after the paint dries.
We’re collaborative. Colorful. Limitless.
Our Story
Founded over 20 years ago by Leigh Watson, Watson Murals has grown from a one-woman operation with a ladder into a team-powered Austin Mural Studio trusted to handle complex,
high-visibility projects from concept to installation.
We’re known for being deeply collaborative—something that’s surprisingly rare in this industry.
This is your wall. This is your vision.
We just happen to have the experience and the scaffolding to make it real.
The result is work that feels intentional, grounded, and alive—never generic, always professional.
Watson Murals is proudly women-owned and women-led, operating as a collaborative
Austin mural studio that is hardworking, direct, and deeply supportive.
We are a studio built to grow artists. Some artists grow with us long-term. Others take what they’ve learned and build their own practices. We consider both outcomes a success—and that mindset strengthens the studio, the work, and the community around it.
Meet The Team
Leigh Watson
Boss Lady
Leigh Watson has spent the past two decades building Watson Murals with a simple belief: great work happens when creativity is supported by trust, process, and a strong team.
From the very beginning, the studio was never about a singular artist. Even when it was just Leigh and a set of brushes, it was always a we. As projects grew in scale and complexity, so did the vision—to create a studio where artists could learn, collaborate, and build real careers doing meaningful work.
Leigh’s creative lens is deeply informed by the natural world — color relationships, movement, texture, and pattern. She often jokes that Mother Nature is the most prolific abstract artist of all, and her personal work reflects that reverence for organic beauty paired with strategic intention.
Today, Leigh serves as Creative Director, focusing on concept development, client collaboration, and mentoring artists to think bigger, work smarter, and thrive as commercial creatives. She remains actively involved in mural work—particularly in concept-driven projects, key installations, and when hands-on collaboration makes the work stronger.
What brings her the most joy is not just the finished mural, but the process behind it: supporting emerging talent, building strong teams, and creating an environment where people feel challenged, trusted, and excited to show up and do great work together.
512-736-3331
Devin Watlington
Lead Muralist
Devin Watlington, originally from Mart, Texas, has been a valuable member of our team since 2018. She earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Baylor University. Devin's artistic style is rooted in realism, and she finds great joy in creating lifelike portraits of individuals and their beloved animals. Devin has collaborated with various artists in the community, as well as contributing to projects such as Queer Eye and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
254-495-6774
Payton LaGrone
Muralist, Social
Payton LaGrone, originally from Dallas, now resides in Austin, Texas, and has been moonlighting since 2015, until finally joining in 2023. She holds a BFA in photography, printmaking, and painting from the University of Texas. Payton specializes in various art forms, focusing on the environmental impact of modernity, particularly how it disrupts and alters the natural world. Her work has been exhibited at ICOSA Collective and the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
214-980-8224
Aerica Raven
Muralist, Designer
Aerica Raven received her degree in Sculptural Fine Arts from Wichita State University. Her background gives her an exceptional eye for designing creatively engaging spaces. Aerica's diverse portfolio is marked by vibrant colors, meticulous linework, and dreamlike environments. Along with her work for residential and business spaces, Aerica's work includes several permanent exhibits in premiere cities such as Houston, Denver, and Austin.
316-706-0100
Renee D'Arienzo
Muralist, Admin
Renee D’Arienzo grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and has been a part of us since 2012. She majored in Studio Art: Painting at Texas State University. Renee loves working with acrylic or house paint and her favorite style is expressionism. She feels inspired to create work that can speak to people in different ways depending on how they feel.
832-457-5331
