Louisville artist Chasson Higdon
Louisville’s art scene has long been tied to its cultural cornerstones — bourbon, horseracing, and the Derby spirit. Few artists embody those themes with as much energy and authenticity as Chasson Higdon, a local painter whose work can be found everywhere — from private homes to hotels and even surprise restaurants miles from home.
For Higdon, art is more than a profession. It’s a lifelong obsession.
Listen to the full Audience502 interview below:
“I got started very early,” he recalls. “The first mural I ever painted was probably around six years old. I pulled my bed out from the wall and worked for several days on this little mural. Every night, I pushed the bed back to hide it.”
Instead of discouraging him, his mother embraced his creativity. “She really helped push me into becoming an artist, a painter, and a craftsman,” Higdon says. “From that point on, I never stopped painting, never stopped creating.”
That early encouragement shaped his artistic journey. “My mom knew a lot about art and could explain it in a way I understood, even as a kid,” he says. “It opened my eyes not only to how to create, but why to create.”
Before the Start – By Chasson Higdon
A Process of Patience
Like many creatives, Higdon admits inspiration doesn’t always strike at the easel. “A lot of ideas come in the shower or while I’m driving,” he says with a laugh.
But the real magic, he insists, is in the work. “Every painting you see has five paintings behind it,” Higdon explains. “It’s trial and error. Art isn’t magic — it doesn’t just appear. It comes from time and effort. Sometimes, I feel like I take more time than other people, but I know what I want it to look like, and I’ll do anything to get it there.”
Before the Call – By Chasson Higdon
Bourbon, Horses, and Derby Days
Though his portfolio spans genres, Higdon is perhaps best known for his bourbon- and Derby-inspired works. From bottles bathed in warm light to vivid depictions of racehorses in motion, his paintings capture the spirit of Kentucky.
“To be completely honest, the reason I went in that direction is because that’s what people want,” he says. “I’ve always painted still life and landscapes. When I realized that if I painted bourbon bottles and horses, people would buy them — and I’d be able to eat — I leaned into it.”
Over the years, working with distilleries and organizations deepened Higdon’s appreciation for bourbon culture.
“It gave me an understanding of what the culture around bourbon actually is, and what people are looking for,” he says. Horses, on the other hand, were a natural fit. “I love painting landscapes. If someone wants a horse in that landscape, I’ll paint the horse. Growing up in Louisville, the Derby and horseracing are just ingrained in you. It doesn’t even feel like effort to create something authentic to our area.”
The Business of Art
For Higdon, balancing artistry with livelihood is part of the job. Commissions often bring unexpected requests. “I’ve painted more dogs for people than children,” he jokes. “I once did an homage to Lichtenstein for a client who loved his work but had a very specific idea in mind. I enjoy that kind of challenge.”
Some commissions have taken on a life of their own. “I’ve been to parties at people’s houses and found my artwork hanging there without knowing they owned it,” he says. “I’ve walked into restaurants and discovered my paintings on the wall. Once in New Orleans, I even spotted one of my pieces in a restaurant — and that was a pretty far distance from home.”
He laughs when recalling the perks. “It’s awesome when you’re on a date and you can point to a painting on the wall and say, ‘Hey, I did that.’ It’s a fantastic moment.”
Advice for Young (and Not-So-Young) Artists
Looking back at his own beginnings, Higdon is quick to offer advice to aspiring artists: “Just create. Constantly create. Never stop working on your craft.”
But he also stresses the importance of community. “Make good connections with other artists and people in the art community. Once you start establishing friendships, you’ll find a way to survive. It’s not always easy — most of us aren’t driven by money, which can be a disadvantage — but if you work hard enough, you can make a living. Being a ‘rich artist’ usually just means being lower middle class,” he says, “but that’s still a fantastic place to be compared to the alternative.”
For Higdon, those connections happen organically. “Younger people probably follow artists on Instagram or TikTok, but I’ve never really been that guy,” he says. “For me, it’s about going to galleries, going to openings, shaking hands, and saying hi. If you’re out there enough and you have the ability, your art will find its place in the community.”
Clink – By Chasson Higdon
What’s Next
Higdon’s calendar is as full as his studio. This spring, he’ll join Louisville legend Bob Lockhart in a two- (possibly three-) man show at Pyro Gallery.
“It’s humbling,” he says. “Bob is possibly the most famous Louisville artist that nobody realizes is the most famous Louisville artist. He’s phenomenally good, so it’s an amazing opportunity for me.”
For the show, Higdon expects the gallery to take the lead on curation. “If you have a good gallerist, you just bring the paintings and they select. Maybe there’s a theme, but ultimately, it’s about letting them curate the story.”
Beyond galleries, Higdon’s work can be found at Deck the Walls in St. Matthews, and around town in restaurants and hotels.
An Artist Grounded in Community
For Higdon, being an artist in Louisville means embracing both the challenges and the joy of creation. “Thank you,” he said at the end of our conversation. “It’s been a long time since I’ve actually sat down to talk about art in a way that wasn’t commercial. It was nice to reflect.”
In his bourbon bottles and Derby horses, in portraits and commissions, Higdon’s work reflects not just Kentucky’s culture but also the persistence of an artist who never stopped painting after that first mural at six years old.
And for those who stumble upon his paintings — in a restaurant, a gallery, or even unexpectedly in New Orleans — his art is a reminder that Louisville’s creative spirit can be found everywhere.
By G. Douglas Dreisbach
