Inside the Studio: Brian Higgins
- Art Dealer Street
- Jul 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 4
For Brian Higgins, art isn’t just something he creates—it’s a space he builds for others to escape into. A painter whose expressive palette knife strokes and vibrant color compositions pulse with energy, Brian came to art through an unconventional route. With roots in creative writing and film, and a deep well of emotional memory from childhood experiences with color, Brian's work is a visceral exploration of movement, memory, and meaning. What began as a high school assignment replicating Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night evolved—years later—into a profound reawakening, thanks to an art class gifted by his wife.
Brian’s background in storytelling informs how he composes not only each canvas, but also the immersive, emotional experiences he invites his viewers into. Through thick layers of oil, a signature dance between abstraction and impression, and an intuitive push-pull between freedom and form, Brian creates visual worlds that encourage the audience to look inward while losing themselves in color and dimension. His journey speaks to creative rediscovery, artistic courage, and the transformative power of honoring the artist within—no matter when you start.
Read on to learn more in an exclusive interview with Brian Higgins :
1. Your journey with color started in childhood and reawakened during a high school assignment recreating Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night. How did that experience shape your relationship with painting and color from then on?
I always responded to color, and maybe it was the time period, but growing up around New York City, shopping in boutiques and department stores with my mom, I was taken with designs and juxtapositions of colors, and how they could be used to express emotions and energy. My one and only painting class in high school, replicating a piece by an artist known for his expression and color palette, awakened those memories and allowed me to introduce my own visions.
2. You mention falling in love with the palette knife after taking an adult art class gifted by your wife. What is it about the palette knife that feels more expressive or powerful to you than traditional brushes?
Funny, my wife discovered the Van Gogh replication I painted in high school years into our relationship, and encouraged me to pick it back up. At first, it was a pleasant diversion from my day job, but through encouragement to keep going by my art professor, I ended up in an advanced painting class with a teacher that was all about expression and energy. I was always nervous to paint figures and shapes, as I felt others were far more talented at that realistic endeavor, but the palette knife allowed me freedom of expression without boundaries. Soon I was using the palette knife to channel my creative energy through swipes and color variations, discovering my true self along the way.
3. Your work often reflects the vibrant energy of color through texture and movement. How do you channel emotion into these thick, layered strokes of oil and mixed media?
When you apply thick amounts of oil paint to a palette knife and strike it across the canvas, the paint separates, flickers, and ignites in patterns and dimensions that mirrors the energy behind the movement. I frequently use the technique to create depth which allows the viewer to see beyond the canvas, inviting them to explore the dimensions within.
4. With your background in film and creative writing (NYC Tisch, San Francisco Art Institute), how do these disciplines influence the way you compose a canvas?
Originally, I wanted to be a screenwriter, as I loved creative writing as a student, and I was drawn to filmmakers like Scorsese, Lynch, Coppola, and Tarantino—artists that had a unique visual style that mirrored their narrative. My paintings have a signature that draws them together, and I am currently working on a series of paintings that takes an optical journey through the places, memories, and energies that elevate us, as told through colors and structure. I find that a narrative encourages the viewer to seek elements beyond the surface to provide a fulsome, integrated experience.
5. Your paintings seem to dance between abstraction and impression—how do you decide whether a piece will lean toward representing a real place or remain completely abstract?
It depends on my energy. Sometimes, I just want to be expressive and not tied to form. Other times, I want to take a traditional perspective and express it through a different filter, be it colors, textures, or dimensions. The dance between abstraction and impression is catalytic for me.
6. You’ve said that your goal is to “create another realm for the viewer to explore and disappear.” What kind of world are you hoping your art helps people escape to?
Ha – my goal is to create artwork that invites you to step away from a traditional viewing experience, using color and dimension to discover things about yourself or places you want to be, leading to personalized journey that augments your authenticity.
7. Do you remember the first time someone connected deeply with one of your paintings? What did that moment mean to you as an artist?
I think there was a big difference for me between people enjoying my work aesthetically and those that are allured to stop and stare at the piece until it takes form before them. The first time that happened to me, I was a bit blindsided, as it didn’t occur to me that what I had created had multiple interpretations and reactions. It also created a pathway for me to pursue my authenticity as an artist, and trusting my brushstrokes and knife work without hesitation.
8. Your path into painting was unconventional and personal—what advice would you give to someone who’s considering exploring their creative side later in life?
Never lose touch with the creative moments in your life. Sometimes they are just the tip of the mountain that lies within. When I was a child, I would draw Snoopy and King Kong to entertain myself. Later, I would always have a creative outlet academically to balance the stress of school. Looking back, I realized that I chose a professional path that pleased my parents, but left me uninspired and without passion. Revisiting my creative outlets later in life allowed me to gain perspective and discover my true self, and that pivot has provided me with fulfillment and happiness that I didn’t consider or think was possible.
Brian Higgins is a living example of how creativity doesn’t expire—it waits, it simmers, and when the time is right, it bursts forth in full color. His art is more than paint on canvas; it’s a visual release of intuition, energy, and story. Through thick textures, luminous color palettes, and an emotional approach to creation, Brian opens doorways to new dimensions—ones where viewers can pause, breathe, and find themselves. His journey reminds us that it's never too late to return to what once lit us up, and that rediscovery may be the most soul-satisfying act of creation there is.
You can learn more about Brian Higgins and his work via these links: Website: https://www.bhigginsart.com/ Instagram: @brianhigginsart Saatchi Art: @Brian Higgins
Artsy: @Brian Higgins
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