Glenn Higgins

Artist Bio:

I have always painted since I was a child.  I had a few lessons from an aunt who did cutesy things and crafts.  I did scenery for high school productions and then went to Charity Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in New Orleans and lost contact with painting. I was looking inside in more ways than one.  It gave me a unique perspective on the  physical world.

 

I attended Louisiana State University and studied music education for one semester. I loved it but there was not much of a financial future in that arena. Then I discovered architecture (frozen music), a wonderful synthesis of art and science. During that time, I had two art classes as electives and rediscovered my love of painting.  My art professor once stated that "Before a painting becomes a vase of flowers, a man on a horse, or a landscape, it is merely one color adjacent to another."  That with my analytical approach to details is what I try to see in every brush stroke.....one color, the right color, next to another.  Are shadows grey or are they blue or mauve or green?  What does the scientific brain tell me and what is in the mind's eye? How do we perceive light, color, texture? 

 

I allowed myself to sink into my architectural career and after about 25 years of practice, started looking back into painting.  Now, at 75, I am  retired but still doing minor consulting. I told my wife several years ago not to buy me a birthday present since I wanted to get myself something special....a studio sized easel.  Much to her chagrin, I set it up in the dining room and that became my part time studio.  Setting up and taking down,  and cleaning up the resulting mess when we had company was a chore, but it is worth it to me.  Now I plan out times to paint.

 

As I wind down my career in architecture, I feel the need to still be productive.   Naturally, art is strongly tugging at my heart strings.  All of our friends have been encouraging me to start selling my work.  I have sold a few pieces over the years and donated several items to Cancer Crusaders, Pink Ribbon Regatta, Leukemia Cup Regatta.  Sailing and exploring the Gulf Coast and its varied bayous is where I get part of my inspiration.  I love to include water in my work. 

 

I stumbled onto FASO in 2016 and the blogs have really inspired me.  I call my work "Random Art".  I see something and always ask, "Is there a painting in there somewhere In my mind, if it goes, the paint flows.