Hi, I'm Brooke,
And watercolor is my drug of choice

Who do I think I am?

I grew up in a large family in Sandy, Utah. I loved having a big family, but I suffered from depression and anxiety, which made me feel alone most of the time. I attended both public and private schools. I was always recognized for my artistic skills and much of my art was displayed in school hallways and shows. I was struggling in public high school and failing out. With the support of my amazing parents, I was able to attend a tiny school for the remainder of my high school years called Realms of Inquify, in Sugar House, UT. They focused on the outdoors and experience-based learning.

With Realms, I got to backpack the Wind Rivers in WY twice, camp on the beaches down the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, and backpack through the Himalaya mountains with a pass of 17,800 feet. My dad, Gordon, joined our group and made the 18-day trek of the Anna Purna Circuit right alongside me, turning 59 on the day we began the hike. I also attended the Visual Arts Academy in Sugar House from ~7th grade until college entry. There, I put my portfolio together to continue my art studies at university.

I also studied under Kathy Sutherland in Sandy, Utah, where I fell absolutely in love with Watercolor, and it has since been my medium. I graduated from high school in ‘98, top of my class. I got into several universities but chose Boston University and studied the core classes in the studio arts. My time there was lonely and thus short. After only one semester, I returned to Sandy, Ut., and began my studies in the art program at the University of Utah.

I struggled with depression and drug addiction, attempting to numb myself from my inner turmoil. I always felt like I was “too much” for other people and dulled myself down in an effort to fit in better. The sad part is I dulled my joy as well. College took me 10 years to complete, but I just kept at it, graduating in 2008. My sister always reminds me… “It’s ok, Brooke. Lots of people go to school for 10 years. They're called doctors.” Thanks sis!

I’ve worked extensively with adults and children with disabilities throughout my adult life. I’ve found this population to have certain gifts that the rest of us don’t have. Not the other way around. I attained my teaching certificate and worked as an educator with a fifth-grade autism spectrum population. I love that job dearly and learned so much from them.

After losing my mother to COVID and then my father to cancer in 2021, I began to recognize how I move through trauma by immersing myself in my art and watercolors. I continued to dull with drugs to manage my deep sadness, but have received much guidance, assistance, and inspiration from my guiding spirits on the other side. I was able to finally understand that I was missing out on the good stuff in life, too, and chose to become present in my life, leaving drugs behind. Now, watercolor is my drug of choice, and I love getting high and processing that way.

I created my own business to share my skills and art with my friends, family, and now you. I am now working with kids with a difference, adults, and kids utelizing art therapy to move through their own trauma and am scheduled to facilitate classes at Mohave Community College for the public and community in Colorado City. I currently live in Hurricane, Utah, with my two tiny Yorkies, Silly Billy (Bill for short) and Sassy Frassa (whom I call Frassa.) I’ve purchased property and will be moving to Colorado City, AZ full-time this year, 2025, where I can continue serving those around me. I look forward to having you along on my journey.

I've struggled through much of life and created stories of sickness, penniless artist, altruism over compensation.  These stories have been writing my story.  Yes, I have been writing my own story, just not the one I desire.  Now, changing the story is a daily practice.  It takes effort.  It takes awareness.  It takes getting quiet inside.

What's your story?  How would you change it?