Victor Higgins of The Taos Seven Meets The Motor City Madman

 July 10, 2025

   When I was in the art studio with Ed Mell we often chatted about the painters we admired. Of course, Maynard Dixon was the big dog in that conversation and we constantly compared notes and jawed about him. But another cat, who was even more eccentric and "modern" was this guy:

Victor Higgins Plein Air Trunk Painting

(1940s)

      Yes, he was one of the Taos Seven and Victor had a very unique eye. . .

"Apaches" 1915, by Victor Higgins

   I especially admire his Taos adobes. . .

"The Sentinel" by Victor Higgins

   And, late in life he developed this modern approach to composition, perhaps enhanced from painting out of the trunk of his car, which he called "Little Gems."

"Taos In Winter" by Victor Higgins

"Indian Hunter" by Victor Higgens

   Meanwhile, in Cat-Scratch-Fever-land. . .

The Nuge!

   Thanks to my old radio partner Jeff Dean, who sent me this photo of The Nuge—Ted Nugent—with KSLX 100.7 FM on-air "talent". L-R: Jeff Dean, Nugent, BBB and the late, great Gordon Smith. We had some fun, and I must say, he was armed the entire time!

The Motor City Madman-Ted Nugent

“God gave us the gift of life. It is the most precious gift ever. To be unarmed is to be helpless to protect that gift; that is outright irresponsible.”

—Ted Nugent