Artist Statement

My first experience truly analyzing works of art was in a college classroom with an incredibly intelligent and cantankerous college art history professor who was hard of hearing and wouldn’t hesitate to humiliate you if you didn’t give him the answer he was looking for. Over time, I realized that in his class there was one answer that was never wrong. Art is fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s simply a portrait, a landscape, an editorial cartoon, or representing a break from some establishment; it is fun.

Art is fun because it provides us with the opportunity to explore the unknown. Art allows us the opportunity to immerse oneself in another’s dream. Like a dream, I pull references from reality, and then distort and manipulate them to create something that is familiar, but also has a unique perspective. I use this approach in my illustration and concept work to explore imagery that reflects a dreamlike wonder and immersion that we may feel like we lost as we transitioned to adulthood.

I work in gouache and ink, as well as digitally, using effectively similar approaches in both digital and traditional mediums. I typically use digital approaches when developing commercial and mass-produced work, due to its efficiency with fast-turnarounds and risk-taking. However, I still appreciate being beholden to the variables that can occur when using traditional materials in creating work, and frequently use traditional materials to provide inspiration for how to build that into what could easily become more sterile digital methodologies.

I prefer creating art that represents a fantastical story that is not necessarily grounded in any visual truth or reality. I want the audience to become immersed in these imaginary spaces. To get lost in wonder. To momentarily forget about the world and troubles around them. Perhaps the work pushes them to re-evaluate their perceptions or convictions. Or perhaps they will look at the art and see that it is simply fun.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2019 MFA, Animation

Savannah College of Art and Design

2003 BA, Art

University of Arkansas

Supporting Areas of Emphasis: Drawing and Graphic Design

Professional Experience

2022–24 Head of Animation and Visual Development

Silver Comet Productions

Developed and managed assignments and production schedules.
Directed team of 10 artists in creating illustrations and animated shorts featuring anthropomorphic characters for kids music property.
Lead weekly art meetings, and individual art reviews.
Lead visual development in concept art and world building.

2020–22 Assistant Professor- Digital Art

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Art and Design.

Digital and Timed Media
- Computer Applications in Art
- Digital Imaging
- Motion Graphics
- Principles of Animation
- Vector Graphics
Illustration
- BFA Thesis Project
- Book Illustration
- Concept Illustration
- Editorial Illustration
- Intro to Illustration
- Sequential Media
- Visual Story Development

2017–20 Visiting Professor- Digital Art

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Art and Design.

2015 Adjunct Instructor- Sequential Media

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Art and Design.

2013–17 Graphic Designer/Illustrator

University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Office of Communications.

Maintained design standards for communication and marketing materials
Lead designer for athletics rebranding and marketing campaigns.
Managed digital signage, print, and promotional branded designs.

2005–13 Graphic Artist

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Editorial and features illustrator.
Developed infographics for news and business stories.

2001–09 Editorial Cartoonist

Northwest Arkansas Times

Benton County Daily Record (2003–06)

Arkansas Times (2004–05)

1999–Present Freelance Designer

Torchbearer Creative LLC.

Creative projects for clients including:

Arkansas Educational Television Network
Backfocus Productions
BassCat Boats
Clinton School of Public Service
Dempsey Film
Kinetic Canvas
National Federation of Press Women
Procter & Gamble
Silver Comet Productions
Unicorn 5 Short Film Productions

Publications as Illustrator

Higgins, D., White, John A. (2022). Why it Matters: Reflections on Practical Leadership. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press.

Higgins, D., Smith, R. V., (2021). Modern Messages from Green Gables on Loving, Living and Learning: The Anne Stories. Newcastle, UK. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Higgins, D. (2019) Hyper Narratives: Structures for Interactivity in Film and Advertising. MFA Thesis. Savannah College of Art and Design.

Higgins, D., Parry, J. A. (2018). Arkansas’s Cartoon Campaign Advertisements, 1942-1970. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, 77(3), 208-249.

Higgins, D., Jensen V. (2017). Valkyrie Beer Delivery. Lynwood, WA: Stela Publishing.

Higgins, D., Smith, R. V., (2017). Opus Optimus: A Model for Renewing Life’s Later Years. Austin, TX: River Grove Books.

Higgins, D., Venditti, R. (2017). Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape: Rise of the Robot Army. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Higgins, D., Smith, R. V., Densmore, L. D., Lener, E. F. (2016). Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences (4th ed.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Higgins, D., Venditti, R. (2015). Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape: Attack of the Alien Horde. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Higgins, W. D., Jensen, V. (2014). Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer: Complete Edition. Atlanta, GA: Top Shelf Publishing.

Higgins, D., Jensen, V. (2012). Pinocchio Vampire Slayer of Wood and Blood part 2 (vol. 4). San Jose, CA: SLG Publishing.

Higgins, D., Smith, R. V. (2012). The Way of Oz: A Guide to Wisdom, Heart and Courage (1st ed.). Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University Press.

Higgins, D., Jensen, V. (2012). Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Volume 3: Of Wood and Blood part 1 (vol. 3). San Jose, CA: SLG Publishing.

Higgins, D., Shooter, J., Francisco, E., Harren, J. (2011). Turok, Son of Stone Volume 1: Aztlan. Dark Horse.

Higgins, D., Wolfe, R. (2011). Knights of the Living Dead. San Jose, CA: SLG Publishing.

Higgins, D., Jensen, V. (2010). Pinocchio Vampire Slayer and the Great Puppet Theater (vol. 2). San Jose, CA: SLG Publishing.

Higgins, D., Jensen, V. (2009). Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. San Jose, CA: SLG Publishing.

Higgins, D., Smith, R. V. (2005). Pedestals, Parapets & Pits: The joys, Challenges & Failures of Professional Life. Fayetteville, AR: Phoenix International Inc.

Collaborative Projects

2024 Art Director, “Rocktober (Official Music Video),” Silver Comet Productions, October 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ8oaPcKKQM

2024 Art Director, “Beam On (Official Music Video),” Silver Comet Productions, September 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bwahCv50xE

2024 Director, “Star Forest – Let Me Be Real (Official Music Video) | Meet The Band!,” Silver Comet Productions, September 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpVeQs6uO2I

2024 Director, “Lore Nerds Star Here – The Sonic Secrets of Star Forest,” Silver Comet Productions, August 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KsK6FU3dxc

Group Exhibitions

2024 Art That Works: Illustration Exhibition, Brad Cushman Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2022-23 Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY

2022-23 Illustrated Arkansas: The Art of Comics, Bobby Roberts Library of Art and History, Little Rock, AR

2021 Faculty Biennial Exhibition, Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2019 Faculty Biennial Exhibition, Brad Cushman Gallery, Little Rock, AR

2017 Outside the Lines, Mugs Café, North Little Rock, AR

2015 Blue Lines & Black Ink, Mugs Café, North Little Rock, AR

Lectures & Presentations

2016 Panelist and Moderator, River City Comic Expo, Little Rock, AR, June 11-12.

2013 Panelist, FablesCon, Rochester, MN, March 22-23.

2013 Panelist, Arkansas Literary Festival, Little Rock, AR, April 20.

2012 Panelist, Teen Book Con, Houston, TX, April 14.

2010 Lecture/Presentation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, April 16.

2010 Panelist, San Diego Comic Con, San Diego, CA, July 22.

2010 Panelist, Arkansas Literary Festival, Little Rock, AR, April 11.

2005 Panelist and Moderator, Drawn and Quartered, Fayetteville, AR, October 13-14.

University Service

2022 Drawing/Painting Search Committee Member

2020-22 Policy Advisory Committee-College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education

2020-22 Assessment Committee- Department of Art and Design

2020-22 Academic Advisor

Advising undergraduate BFA illustration students.

2020 Drawing/Painting Search Committee Member

2017–22 Faculty Mentor-Student Design Team

Organized and facilitated projects for 2-4 graphic design students each semester in the creation of marketing and communication materials for events and promotion within the UA Little Rock Department of Art and Design.

2020 ArtSPARK Workshop Instructor

Digital animation workshops as recruitment events for high school students.

2019 Art and Design Technician Search Committee Member

2018 Drawing/Painting Faculty Search Committee Member

Awards & Honors

2017 Junior Library Guild Selection

Junior Library Guild

2015 Junior Library Guild Selection

Junior Library Guild

2014 Graphics/Illustration Finalist

Great Plains Journalism Awards

2013 First Place, Division III, Non-Traditional News Item