Today we’d like to introduce you to Tay Marie Higgs.
Hi Tay Marie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a lover of art since I was very young. Any opportunity that presented itself and would allow someone to express themselves brought me so much joy because it was a snippet of that person that they allowed others to witness. Whether that was through the cartoons that I would have on repeat because the colors were so beautifully curated to fit the characters, or through the mixed media pieces I would see in galleries that instilled such raw emotion. Art in all of its forms has pushed and inspired who I am today.
I knew when I got to my final years of high school that art couldn’t take a back seat or hobby role for me. It’s woven into everything that I do, and so I decided to pursue an education in Illustration. With help and support from my loved ones, I was able to graduate with a BFA in Illustration for Entertainment from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Summa Cum Laude. From there, I moved back home to The Bahamas and have been fortunate enough to apply my skills to multiple different facets of art in my community.
I’ve had the opportunity to both assist on and lead community mural projects with wonderful local artists, teach design and illustration workshops, and even ceramics classes for a while. Today, I work for one of the coolest production and corporate communications companies, where my creativity is not only welcomed but encouraged, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey so far.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change anything about it. Challenges arise to push us to become better every day, and I feel like the things that have challenged me on this journey have both made me uncomfortable and molded me into someone the me from 5 years ago wouldn’t recognize- and that’s a good thing.
One of the struggles I found was keeping creativity alive so I could push through slumps of artist’s block. There are moments when you just feel like you’re running on empty, but you still have people waiting on ideas and deliverables that you’re expected to produce. A lot of the time, creating doesn’t come with a formula that can be replicated, and finding that inspiration to make something new can be quite challenging. But finding ways to work through those droughts will have you discovering new avenues that you had never thought of before.
It also took a very long time to feel like I found my style. Entering my 20’s came with a whole new wave of trying to discover who I am as an artist and as an individual, and I found myself constantly comparing myself to those around me and those I admired. It wasn’t a healthy practice and only further led to me boxing myself in. When I learned to let go of that comparison and water my own garden, things bloomed from there.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Bahamian Illustrator, Visual Development Artist, and Multidisciplinary Creative specializing in expressive branding, fantasy-inspired illustration, character design, murals, and surface design. Through my work, I create immersive visual worlds that blend storytelling, emotion, and bold artistic identity. I’m especially known for my whimsical yet cinematic style, vibrant color palettes, and ability to create artwork that feels both nostalgic and imaginative. Much of my work is inspired by fantasy, music, emotion, and the idea of reconnecting people with their inner child through visual storytelling.
What I’m most proud of is building a creative career that allows me to merge fine art with purposeful design while staying authentic to my artistic voice. Whether I’m developing a brand identity, painting a mural, illustrating a book cover, or designing characters, I approach every project with intention and a strong focus on creating emotionally memorable experiences. What sets me apart is my ability to combine illustration, branding, and storytelling into a cohesive visual language that feels deeply personal rather than generic. My work is not just about creating something visually appealing — it’s about creating something people can feel connected to.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think that risk-taking is a necessary part of life. Not only from a creative standpoint but from an everyday one. I believe that as long as it’s not harming you or those around you and it has the potential to lead to growth, then taking risks and pushing yourself can have nothing but positive impacts.
I think my biggest risk was not only choosing an artistic career but also taking the leap to work for myself and freelance for over a year and a half. That was so unbelievably freeing and scary at the same time because it was me vs. me to continuously improve my craft and ensure that the people I produced work for were happy at the end of the day. Although I’m not a full-time freelancer anymore, I am so incredibly grateful for that period of time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taymariehiggs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taymariehiggs/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-higgs/
- Other: [email protected]
