Ben Higgins has a passion for painting, in a big way.
His works are displayed on buildings, walls, fences, shipping containers, water towers and more.
The 38-year-old from Coolum has developed a reputation for delivering some of the most eye-catching murals and street art, along with fellow Sunshine Coaster David Houghton.
They’re the main artists of Rythmicolour Collective, a mural-focused arts collective.
Ben said there was something special about creating art on large platforms.
“I just love beautifying a blank space, like a wall, and seeing something that I’ve put a lot of effort into,” he said.
“It’s also good to give something back to the community and to see the reactions of people.”
And although Ben developed his trade via street art and murals, he also enjoys painting on canvas.
His zeal for art arrived at an early age.
Two of his aunties were painters and his grandmother worked with ceramics, so there was inspiration from the family.
He became significantly interested in painting as a teenager and then studied art in Melbourne.
It didn’t take long for his works to be noticed and for him to realise he could do it professionally.
“It got to a level where people were actually asking for my work and I thought ‘this is something I really like doing’, so things went from there and I became a full-time artist,” he said.
“I love painting native flora and fauna, that’s one of my big passions,” he said.
His skills have taken him to Japan, Mexico and around Australia.
Ben was mainly based in Melbourne for about 15 years but moved back to the Sunshine Coast a few years ago for its more laid-back lifestyle.
He said there was no lack of work and he had become more selective with jobs.
“I like to go wherever this is an interesting project,” he said.
“I’m always open to new opportunities and if it’s interesting, I’ll do it.”
He recently returned from a job at Bondi in Sydney, where he created a striking mural with sunrise and wildlife, over two days at a community event called Drip by Drip.
Ben has created art works around the Sunshine Coast, with recent jobs at Coolum State Primary School (you can see it from the roundabout) and Nambour Plaza.
He’s about to start work at Peregian Springs State School.
“It’s good to get the kids involved,” he said.
“They do some workshops and have input, because they’re the ones mainly looking at it.”
He has a special collection at Lake Borumba.
“It’s kind of like an outdoor gallery of mine,” he said.
“It’s progressing. I’ve done 10 works so far out there.
“Everything I paint there is based on what is in the area, so kids can look at it and then keep an eye out for the animals.”
Ben said there had been plenty of private requests from people wanting artwork at their homes, on bigger backdrops.
“Someone wanted to travel to Tuscany but couldn’t go there (due to COVID) so they asked if I could paint their back fence to make it look like they were there.”
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He and David work well together.
“David is a good friend and we both bring different skills,” he said.
“He might do geometry on a background and I might do realism over the top. We go back and forth and help each other out.”
The two have been involved in some massive jobs, including a trail of murals in North Brisbane which took a year.
They also painted the huge water tower in the centre of Mt Isa in 2019.
“That was 12m (high) and 120m around, so that would be the biggest canvas I’ve done,” he said.
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He’s in pursuit of grand challenges.
“I’m aiming for bigger jobs, the bigger the better,” he said.
“I want to take it to the next level. I’m always trying to push myself.”
Ben generally uses exterior acrylic low sheen paint, and aerosol paint as well.
“They’re my two primary mediums but I’m durable when it comes to canvas.
“I can do water colour, oil and more. I like to dabble in everything and try to get better with everything.”
To see more visit www.instagram.com/mrmupz/ and www.rythmicolour.com.au/.
