Contemporary Film Noir Artist Gina Higgins Announces New Gallery Representation:

Oct. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Los Angeles, CA – October 9, 2012 – Los Angeles artist, Gina Higgins (Gina Higgins American-Noir) is pleased to announce the addition of JUST LOOKING GALLERY to her current representation. Located at 746 Higuera Street #1 in the beautiful coastal city of San Luis Obispo, the gallery has been owned & operated for the past 28 years by director & fine art collector, Ralph Gorton.  Known for its emphasis on original figurative art, the gallery is recognized as one of the most successful on the west coast & houses the collection of famed contemporary artist Patrick Nagel, as well as the works of artist & illustrator, Manuel Nunez.



Born in New Orleans, Gina Higgins grew up in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.  Accepted into the University of Southern California’s Roski School of Fine Arts at 17, Gina also received formal training in figurative drawing and painting in Paris & Florence Italy before returning to embark on a career in illustration, garnering such clients as Liz Claiborne, Etienne Aigner, Alexander McQueen, A&M/Polydor Records, & CBS Studios, among many others.



She is currently recognized for her dramatic figurative film-noir paintings, she terms “American-Noir,” & for her unique artistic process.  The pieces are created on rolls of canvas tacked to board & primed with cerulean blue gesso. Gina does not work with traditionally planned sketches. Preferring to use music as her inspiration & working at night under halogen lamps, the compositions are sketched & reworked in chalk on the canvases themselves.  Her unconventional method & quick-drying acrylic paints provide the perfect background to create truly imaginative paintings that juxtapose skillfully photorealistic figures against edgy urban backgrounds.



Citing film & photography as strong influences on her creative process she explains, “Film noir movies have made a subconscious impression on me. They have influenced the mood of my paintings — an inspiration, not an actual depiction of movie scenes, so the influence is an undertone rather than an overt representation. I use color and tone to suggest a noir feel. I have always been drawn to photography.  My father was a commercial photographer in the late 1970s, a graduate of Art Center College of Design, & he introduced me to artists who to this day continue to have a strong impact on my creative process…photographers such as Imogen Cunningham, Edward Steichen, & Irving Penn. It’s my intention that the paintings depict “moments” or what can be captured in the blink of an eye, rather than stories – I would rather evoke a story than tell one. If my evocation inspires the viewer to create a story, all the better. The experience should be a 2-way process; hopefully my work is provocative.”



To learn more about GINA HIGGINS AMERICAN-NOIR & JUST LOOKING GALLERY, please visit their respective websites:


http://www.GinaHiggins.com/

http://www.JustLookingGallery.com/