Dali Higa

Dali Higa has always pursued life with a passion and a drive to learn and study with the best. Independence and a creative drive to pursue and focus on one goal are traits which have enabled her to be successful throughout her life. She began drawing and studying the ancient art of Chinese Calligraphy at the age of seven in a family where her father, older sister and brother were all fine artists.

Even though Dali was a chemistry and international business major her heart always followed her art. She founded her own pharmaceutical company and ventured into real estate in Hainan Island before leaving her very successful business career in 1993.

Dali later immigrated to France in pursuit of her art. She became a daily patron of The Lourvre, The D'Osay and other museums of France and Europe. Dali still makes it a point to travel to Europe at least once a year and is an avid collector of art and especially art books.

Dali chooses to gather information in whatever form possible in pursuit of her art. Whether it is taking a workshop from Dan McCaw or taking classes with Jove Wang. There is much to learn from the living as well as the past. Her private library is her own University which is continually drawn upon while constantly being amended.

Dali believes it is important to be creative, to stay away from what is safe in painting, in order to grow as an artist. One then has to deal with the consequences.  She takes inspiration from other artists who take chances in their paintings. However, these other artists are motivators and not directors. Dali believes one has to make his or her own interpretation of how the painting should look otherwise one is simply copying what has
already been done.

Dali is represented by Bottoms Art Galleries in downtown Santa Barbara and at The Biltmore Hotel.  The Classic Art Gallery in Carmel, CA and The FountainSide Gallery in North Carolina will now feature Dali's works.  Dali also has works at Villas and Verandas in San Juan Capistrano, CA.  Dali  is an artist member of The Oil Painters Of America, The California Art Club and The American Impressionists Society.  She is also a resident member of The Palos Verdes Art Center.