A fine dust of terra-cotta, charcoal and erasure bits cover the floor and equipment in the basement studio. Clay figures jump out from the walls as another classic rock song starts in on the radio in the background. A young woman sits on a platform in the middle of the room, naked as the white sheet beneath her body. Inquisitive eyes quietly sweep over her figure, then back to the easels in front of them.

This was the scene Monday as Carl Watson, ISU alumnus and Gilbert resident, began teaching a summer session of figurative art and life drawing classes at the Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave. This year will be the 15th year Watson has been working and creating art at the Octagon as the Sculptor-in-Residence.

Watson defines figurative art as “the study of humans and the human condition.”

“It is my firm belief that of all things created on Earth, human beings are the most important,” Watson says. “I’ve decided to carry on that belief in my work.”

Watson moved to Ames in 1957, beginning a career in drywall and construction, which he continues today. Watson could not deny his love of art, however, and eventually pursued his dream of becoming an art teacher.

Watson received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Iowa State in 1987 and followed it with a master’s in ceramics and drawing and a master’s in fine arts from the University of Iowa. He began work at the Octagon immediately following his graduation, catering to a variety of Ames residents.

“I teach to a very diverse population,” Watson says. “A typical class may have a couple of ISU faculty people who very well may be mixed into class with people who are retired as well as ISU students who wish to get additional experience.”

Watson says he will mix people with ample experience into a class with others that have little to no experience with art.

“I find that the interaction between them is very worthwhile,” Watson says.

The study of people is a base in Watson’s work as an artist, and he says he incorporates that into his teaching style.

“I have a strong interest in people,” Watson says. “So why not produce art that makes a statement about people?”

Watson says he shows the students how to begin their work of art and then supervises them throughout the process. The students then decide how the art takes shape, and whether they will use glaze or keep it terra-cotta.

“With art, there are no rules,” Watson says. “My intent is to teach people how to see and use hand-eye coordination to create art, so they can learn it in a healthy productive way.”

Jung Yun Han, an art and design student transferring to Iowa State, experienced the first life drawing class of her college career on Monday. Han said she really liked Watson’s teaching style during the class.

“He was great,” Han says. “He taught me where to shadow and highlight.”

Watson’s art is on display at the Octagon, but can also be appreciated in a Campustown setting at Cafe Beaudelaire, 2504 Lincoln Way. Found at the Cafe are examples of Watson’s clay body castings and sculpture.

Caf‚ owner Leonardo Roberto says the pieces fit in well with the atmosphere of the establishment.

“His artwork has been here for a long time,” Roberto says of Watson. “A lot of my customers are his customers or models for his classes.”

Watson will teach a special workshop on clay body castings at the Octagon this summer as well. This Saturday, participants will be able to make castings of themselves that they can then take home to display. Watson says that castings, for sale at a gallery, can go for anywhere from $800 to $2,500.

Kris Konrady, 225 S. Franklin Ave., has been working as a receptionist at the Octagon for the past three months. She has taken several classes at the center, but Monday’s was her first with Watson. Konrady said she was impressed with Watson’s educating style.

“I really like the way he teaches,” Konrady says. “He never draws on your drawing, it’s always yours. He’s helpful without being intrusive.”