The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-08-13
The Snake Artist.

cover Of the Columbia Phonograph
Company's Catalogue de Luxe by Mr..
G. II. Highly, the celebrated snake ar
tist, has stimulated one of his personal
friends and ardent admirers to tell a
reporter something about him. The
narrator says:
Some ten years ago l met Highly
under conditions that were rather
amusing. A friend desiring to get a
decorative cover made, and having been
attracted by Mr.. Higby's work, noting
his name on the majority of the popul-
ar theatre programs, requested me to
call on him in reference to sketch
submitted by him.
Arriving at the address given, l
started to climb to the top of the build
ing, and reaching the skylight floor
noticed one corner draped in black
bambuo portiere, forming a vestibule
within which was a large Grated box.
Approaching the inner door and knock
ing, a great rattling of chains caused
me to look back at the box and wonder
if it contained some wild animal, for /
had known of artists who kept all sorts
of peculiar pets. The door being open
| found the noise had been caused by
make-shift chain bolt, and Introducing
myself, was ushered into the studio
past the grinning skull of an OK and
other wierd relics. BeforeI was hardly
able to make my business known, Hig-
by asked me il was fond of snakes,
and without waiting for reply stepped
to the series of boxes at the side of the
room ond yulled out large snake, six
or seven feet in length dnd said;
"'Is not this beauty
"My surprise and fear silencing my
tongue, he produced another, still
larger; in the meantime having hung
the first one carelessly on the back of
chair, and keeping this up until | was
surrounded by six or more of these
large boa constructors, in what ives not
at all large room.
81 expressed my admiration, of
course, and hoped as my time was linn
tied he would permit me to examine
them more closely at later date, for
really was very busy and could not
stop there longer. l was about scared
to death. He replaced then in the
boxes and / finally succeeded in COM
pleting the object of my call.
Such was my first introduction to
Highly. / thought him a crank, but
later, having occasion to call, and hav-
ing overcome my fear, l became quite
we'll acquainted with him and his work
which was always Characteristic of his
ideas, never losing an opportunity of
introducing either women or snakes
in his productions. His paintings were
always most artistic and beautiful in
their color effects, and were much
sought after. Many prominent hotels
in New York have specimens of his
work displayed in their collections,
and rich connoisseurs have at least one
or two of his works among the things
they xaluo most highly, He received
his early training, as near as / can tell
in the asst department of Boston litho-
grapher where the necessary side OF
drawing was too confning to such a
rowing and fanciful disposition as his.
At one time, having received commits
sion from gentlemen for painting
with large female figure in the nude,
he took his mrdel and snake and
went off into the country where he was
able to pose his model with a natural
setting of the woods for background,
with the snake looped over the limb ol
tree. / mention this incident to H.
lvstrate his devotion to art and nature
OF course there are only certain times
of the year when there is very much
demand for paintings such as he makes
The balance of his time he devotes Il
the commercial side of art in creating
decoratipe designs and illustrations fol
commercial purposes. Not only is h'
very artistic man but good al
around fellow, and much sought il
Bohemian circles, he being a true Bo
hemian himself. "