Artist discovered expression at EWU
Roger Riggs’ home in southwest Spokane is akin to a museum.
His appreciation of art is evident from the free-standing pieces to the ones that adorn the walls done by well-known artists, professors of art, his students and his own nonobjective paintings. “My style is mostly abstract, impressionistic, nonobjective, just design,” he said, “Modern art challenges one’s imagination.”
His piece titled “9/11” illustrates the event it is named for, done in an abstract, simple yet powerful fashion; two pillars stand strong from the bottom of the canvas to the top with no distinct beginning or end. From left to right, colors of fire and smoke cut across the width of the piece in the shapes of chaos, but still the pillars remain seemingly untouched.
This piece is a perfect representation of Riggs’ work which encompasses emotions in subtle and meaningful ways, and while “9/11” represents an event, the piece also represents the strength and perseverance that came with the tragedy and, like all of Riggs’ work, is a story written in an emotional language of shape and color.
“One’s experiences shape content of one’s work. A death of a friend, a memorable movie, 9/11, and the freshness of a new snowfall can all become subject for a painting,” Riggs said, “The experience is exciting as I draw nothing beforehand and face the tyranny of a blank canvas on which I want to create something of value. One creates for one’s sake and if someone else likes the creation that is wonderful but not necessary.”
Riggs, 74, began expressing himself at Greenacres Grade School where he starred in a Christmas show and sang in many programs. He also began drawing and found that he had a knack for it.
He took art classes in high school but didn’t find real inspiration until he went to Eastern Washington University.
“The college years were an Epiphany to me,” he said. “The professors of art at that time at Eastern (Opal Fleckenstein, Carl Morrison, Bob Hanrahan and Nan Wiley) created an environment that was nothing I had experienced before in a school setting. We were encouraged to try every kind of visual expression one could create. This commitment to try and stretch one’s means of expression has stayed with me to this day.”
Riggs earned a Bachelor of Art and teaching certificate from Eastern and taught history and art for 25 years at Riverside High School. “To be a good teacher you have to have an open and free classroom. You also have to encourage creativity and work alongside them.”
One of his students, Sami Perry, who is also a teacher and an artist, gives Riggs credit for her creative prowess. “He really encouraged, inspired and helped me develop artistically,” she said. With his guidance, Perry made art her focus rather than getting in trouble. “He was the reason I stayed in high school.”
Riggs believes that art is absolutely necessary and that it is enriching, and though “self promoting” isn’t his thing, he has shown and sold his work in the past without any specific goal in mind because it’s not about the sales but the creating. “You have to have a passion for it.”