Jose Higuera was born in 1966 in Cologne, Germany, to Spanish parents who moved back to Spain two years later. He showed a strong interest in drawing from an early age, which was noticed by his school teachers. At ten years old, he had already produced his first oil painting.
Jose Higuera at a glance
- Born: 1966, Cologne, Germany, to Spanish parents
- Nationality: Spanish
- Lives and works: Cantabria, northern Spain
- Training: Largely self-taught; early lessons from local artists
- Style: Realism with bright colors and strong Mediterranean light
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Subjects: Marinas, urban landscapes, figures and still lifes
- Notable series: “Crecen”, inspired by his children growing up
Encouraged by his family, his grandmother arranged for him to take lessons from local artists. He is basically a self-taught artist with the inevitable influences of creative movements. Realism is the basis of all his work, and he strives to capture the beauty of the real things that surround him.
His first exhibitions were received with high interest by critics and the public, and he soon began selling his work. He worked exclusively with the Art Gallery and Auction House of Madrid, gaining experience and contacts. He currently lives in Cantabria, in the north of Spain, where the surrounding reality inspires his work.
“I believe that oil painting, in its purest form, is the material that offers me the best chances; its textures, its drying forms, its capacity to illuminate the canvas and much more. It all makes of this material the preferred tool by far – aging is generous to oil and time gives it a special glow that makes the artwork mature in beauty.”
His paintings are known for bright colors and strong light, especially the Mediterranean light that reflects on people. His series “Crecen” captures the behaviors and feelings he discovered as his children grew. He works in oil on canvas, and his work includes marinas, urban landscapes, figuratives, and still lifes.
He has exhibited widely in Spain and promotes his work in galleries in the USA. He works from a small studio he built in his garden, and he does not keep a strict schedule. He spends time with his family and enjoys walking in the forest with his children, who also serve as his models.
Q: What defines Jose Higuera’s artistic style?
A: His realist style is defined by bright colors, powerful light, and a focus on capturing the beauty of everyday life. He works primarily in oil on canvas, creating works that range from landscapes and seascapes to figurative and still-life pieces. His work is deeply personal, often inspired by his family and his surroundings in Cantabria, Spain.