The artwork of Jill Higgins is just as iconic as the landscapes she paints. Utilizing a bright palette–often dancing well into neon territory–along with the punch of high contrast, her style is as immediately recognizable as her subject matters of New Brunswick’s beaches and landmarks. Her series, titled Icons: New Brunswick, which she has revisited for a special event, captures the province with all the same allure that the Canadian Pacific Railway had a century ago.
Jill Higgins is an award-winning architect who has competed on a national level for both sailing and art battles. Upon meeting her, it’s easy to surmise that she’s a driven individual, and yet she remains a very down-to-earth, genuine, human being who clearly enjoys what she does and is immensely likable for all that.
“Jill tends to bring in work that is so fresh that we have to handle the paintings very carefully otherwise we risk sacrificing clothes to her classic Prussian blue,” says Elizabeth Cook, owner of Handworks Gallery in Saint John where Icons is being shown. “Jill tends to work in a very passionate and impasto style so the paint is thick and often very wet.”
Focusing on capturing the beauty of New Brunswick’s iconic scenery, Higgin’s Icons: New Brunswick series is primarily a celebration of summer across the province and its propensity for building memories. Many of the images featured in the series are from locations that Higgins has a very personal attachment to.
“These paintings, these are my summers. This is my cottage,” explains Higgins.
From boats to bonfires, Higgins has stayed true to her distinct style and palette, using a thick stroke impasto technique. Front and center are blasts of fuchsia and turquoise; both of which have become a signature of her work. It’s like going to see the Hopewell Rocks and stepping into Oz for the first time.
Her work resonates with both locals and maritime ex-pats because her work is iconic, which has become a crucial element in developing her most recent shows. She herself explores and loves New Brunswick and tries to capture places and feelings that we all know and love.
Q&A
What is it about New Brunswick that draws your focus so much?
JH: Growing up here in New Brunswick, I have always loved all of its natural spaces. I feel that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I feel very lucky to live here. I’ve always been around water, between sailing, my cottage, and living by the water. It is hard not to be drawn to the beauty and all the changes that happen, hour by hour and minute by minute.
My cottage is located on Magaguadavic Lake which definitely is my happy place. This comes out in many of my pieces. I love it there with all the magnificent pine trees and the amazing sunsets.
What inspired you to use bold colours like fuchsia and aqua in paintings of New Brunswick landscapes?
JH: I love colour as you can probably see and it makes me so happy to use these colours and see them on the wall. Taking iconic images of New Brunswick and abstracting the images and adding fun colours is so exciting.
If you wanted people to see one thing in your work, what would that be?
JH: I really hope they see the beauty that surrounds us and the understanding that we don’t have to go away to other places to enjoy life.
What was it like going to the Art Battle Nationals? Is this something you’re keen to do more of?
JH: It was an amazing experience I will never forget. It was fun meeting other artists and seeing their work. My life is very busy these days so it’s hard to fit it in. It is good to try new things and learn from them.
Has your work as an architect influenced your work as an artist?
JH: I typically do landscapes because it gives me a break from architecture since it is less structured with a little more freedom to test ideas.
How do you find time to be a successful artist as well as a full-time architect, mother, and participate in CrossFit?
JH: It’s a balance that I’m always struggling with. I love doing all of these things. It makes me who I am and pushes me to be a better mother, which is the most important part of my life.
What’s the greatest challenge you face while building a show like this?
JH: Determining what the show will be and what images to use is definitely the most difficult. We have so many beautiful places in New Brunswick that it’s hard to pare it down to a certain number of images. I get so excited and so overwhelmed all at the same time.
I’m really happy about how all the pieces turned out. I’m excited to see how it is received.
Higgin’s Icons: New Brunswick show is being treated to a special exhibition at Handworks Gallery in Saint John. It leans into the skillsets many have picked up over the last year and a half and includes an online art opening with a 3D experience.
“Last year we released freshly finished paintings one at a time over 30 days, with Jill bringing in the works every couple days. They were a little tricky to handle, but the response was amazing,” says Elizabeth Cook of Handworks Gallery. “A lot of attention was on New Brunswick over the pandemic, and Jill’s work was collected all over the country by people wanting to have a little piece of this beautiful place.
“This year, we both agreed that celebrating our province would be best launched on New Brunswick Day. Most of our clients got very comfortable viewing art shows online and so that’s where we’re opening the show first.”
The show opened online on August 1st and in-person at Handworks Gallery on August 3rd. Handworks Gallery is located at 12 King Street in Saint John, NB. Jill Higgin’s works, and other pieces by Maritime artists, can be found at Handworks.ca