Gail Higgins

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When her youngest child was in high school Gail was able to rekindle her love of painting and drawing, and soon developed a keen interest in painting wildlife, particularly birds. She finds bird behaviour fascinating and travels widely to identify and observe them in the wild, though much of her inspiration comes from her local area. She strives to capture the essence of the birds she paints – those particular characteristics which set that bird apart. She hopes her art will encourage people to give thought to wildlife and the environment and to believe that the natural world is precious and worth preserving.

A winner of many major awards, in Australia and overseas, Gail has had several demonstration articles published in Australian Artist, Artist Palette and Australian Birdkeeper magazines. She has been a finalist in the Holmes Prize for Australian Bird Art every year since its inception.

With a Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training she established her own teaching studio where she taught and mentored for over ten years. During that time she also tutored drawing and pastel workshops throughout eastern Australia and in the Northern Territory. For five years she enjoyed her position of Artist in Residence at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island during their annual Birdweek.

In 2006 she was awarded Master Pastelist status with the Pastel Society of Australia. She was honoured with Life Membership of the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society after undertaking a variety of Committee roles such as Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Exhibition Co-ordinator. In 2019 she was presented with Associate Membership of the Old SchoolHouse Gallery in Cleveland for her membership of over 20 years and her services to the gallery.

She has recently retired to the Sunshine Coast and is enjoying her time to travel and paint.

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