Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Brooks
Hi Scott, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was very young. My parents were patient with me and made sure I had plenty of sketchpads and art kits to work with. They were mostly encouraging, especially my dad who passed his interest in drawing down to me. We also had some fun art hanging up in our house. I started painting in oils when I was about 14 and when I was 17 I began painting murals in local schools. I freshened up old classrooms with murals featuring Disney characters or Muppets, and eventually I painted murals across the mid-Michigan region.
I received a BFA from the University of Michigan in the ‘80s, and began exhibiting my art in the Flint and Detroit area. In 1990 I moved to Washington, DC and began there, I had several solo shows but also worked as an illustrator. I worked with the US Forest Service to create a unique series of Smokey Bear illustrations for posters and more. Around the same time I illustrated the first of many children’s picture books.
Over the years, my paintings and drawings have been showcased in DC, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, gaining traction within the Lowbrow and Pop Surrealism movements. I’ve had the chance to exhibit my art not just across the U.S., but internationally.
Fast forward to 2016—I met my partner, Tom Sabia, and moved to Baltimore. These days, I split my time between my primary studio on Read Street and the Empire House, a gorgeous Victorian guesthouse Tom owns on Chase Street. Locally, I exhibit my work at Gallery Blue Door here in Mt. Vernon and recently taught an illustration class at MICA.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The move to DC was tough. I had achieved some success in Michigan but moving to DC was jarring. I didn’t have a job lined up and thought I could just keep painting murals and freelancing but it wasn’t that easy. Things were pretty bleak for a while but I eventually landed on my feet and worked first as an illustrator for the Washington Times newspaper, and later a navy contactor. Later I worked as an animator and illustrator for a game company, a tech startup and some other corporate gigs. All this time I continued to paint, exhibit my work and illustrate books and magazines as opportunities arose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of my paintings. I specialize in painting the figure. I work from models and create compositions that are a bit surreal, ranging from simple portraiture to complex narratives to whimsical studies. I paint people who are interesting and fun to be with, including friends, neighbors and drinking buddies. Bears, otters, witches, fairies, all show up in my work. I showcase the extraordinary people in my everyday life.
Non-conformity was frowned upon when I was growing up so I found refuge in the arts. It offered me space for individuality and allowed my creativity to thrive. My art is also fun and light-hearted and I think that sets it apart. It’s not for everyone so some appreciate it and others may not.
My work can be seen on social media or at www.scottgbrooks.com. I also have a couple open studios a year and studio visits are welcome. My next solo show here in Baltimore will be at Gallery Blue Door in September 2025.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
From my experience the nickname Charm City is perfect. I find Baltimore very friendly and open, I live in the heart of Mt Vernon and it’s so great to go out and be greeted by neighbors. There are a couple spots in particular including Spirits of Mt Vernon, which we call the community Center. Brewers Art, The Owl Bar and Leons are all neighborhood gathering spots. I spend very long hours in my studio so when I do get out it’s and it’s nice to see some friendly faces.
I hear quite a bit of negativity from many folks about Baltimore and that’s frustrating. There are problems in every city but it seems like many people just focus on what’s wrong and perhaps don’t look or can’t see all the good things happening. This gets spread on the news and social media so much that people are afraid to visit,
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.scottgbrooks.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/scottgbrooksart/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-G-Brooks/374098574084
- Other: Empire House on Airbnb – https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/176300
