Featured artist
Victoria Brooks
CA, USA
- Sell original works
- Sell reproduced works
- Take commissions/assignments
- Offer workshops/classes
- Sell reproduced works
- Take commissions/assignments
- Offer workshops/classes
Specialty Categories
Painting/Drawing - Landscape
Secret Cove
oil, 24" x 30", $3,600 |
Point Lobos Poppies
oil, 20" x 24", sold |
Snow Balls
oil, 18" x 36", sold |
Painting/Drawing - Figurative/People
Graceful Reflections
oil, 36" x 24", $4,400 |
Sheer Bliss
oil, 24" x 18", $2,200 |
Where Does it Hurt?
oil, 20" x 16", sold |
Painting/Drawing - Children
Vintage
oil, 24" x 18", $2,200 |
Sea Power
oil, 24" x 20", $2,500 |
Who’s First
oil, 24" x 36" Limited Giclee Print on Canvas available: $1400 |
Artist Statement/Bio
The main focus of my paintings has been people in a natural setting, using photography as well as live models for my reference. In my paintings, I strive to capture simple, emotional moments of human interaction within a natural environment in order to evoke a warm and pleasant memory for the viewer. I love the outdoors and the beauty and charm of small children, so combining the two brings me great joy along with the challenge of trying to capture those wonderful childhood expressions. I feel so blessed when I receive an emotional outpouring of happiness and gratitude from my collectors when I present them their portrait commission. For my inspiration I look to Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn as the masters, but I continually develop my own style and color palette.
An artist's work should always be evolving - mine included. During the last few years I have had the desire for a more direct approach to capturing my subject matter, so I decided to take to the open landscape to paint the setting in its natural light. Painting "en plein air" has been one of the most frustrating, challenging and extremely rewarding things I have done in a long time. Finishing a plein air painting in about two hours before the sunlight changes produces dramatic and exciting results. My heroes of this genre are the early California impressionists: Payne, Redmond, Rose, etc.
The experience of "chasing the light" has opened a new door in my creative process. I now, truly believe that I have to work from life, outdoors, in order to capture the true quality of the moment. The process of painting in the field is not merely visual. It is one which utilizes all of my senses. I feel the plein air experience enhances the creative process of my studio paintings by keeping them fresh and vibrant. I am also committed to working from life in my studio. When the weather in inclement, I may be posing models or setting-up still life scenes to paint, whether it is oils or watercolors.
As a professional artist, I continually look for challenges for myself in order to grow artistically and spiritually. That's the beauty of it: I will never be finished growing as an artist. To capture and share the beauty I see with the viewer is indeed a great reward.
Oregon-born Victoria Brooks' path from young art student to professional artist and mentor is an inspiration to both those who appreciate fine art and those who aspire to create paintings that touch people's hearts.
Victoria's early interest in art lead to her studies in Graphic Design at Portland State University, followed by a dozen years as an award-winning art director and designer in the television and film industries. As successful as her career in applied arts was, however, it offered few opportunities for Victoria to pursue her first love – painting fine art.
Determined to be true to that love, Victoria made the life-changing decision to commit to her dream of becoming an independent, professional fine artist. She resumed her studies in oil painting at the California Art Institute, where – influenced by the work of Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn, and her own affinity for painting en plein air – she developed a unique artistic voice characterized by a vibrant color palette and an impressionistic personal style. The result has been a body of work with a strong sense of spontaneity and freshness.
Indeed, after thirty years of creating paintings that have captured the ephemeral emotions of people in natural settings, resonated with viewers in some 234 juried group or solo exhibitions around the world, and been recognized with “Best of Show” and other awards, Victoria's commitment to her artistic journey is a classic story of how to transform a dream into reality. The work speaks for itself.
You can see examples of Victoria's studio, portrait, and en plein air artwork and find information about the international painting workshops she hosts at: vbrooks.com
The main focus of my paintings has been people in a natural setting, using photography as well as live models for my reference. In my paintings, I strive to capture simple, emotional moments of human interaction within a natural environment in order to evoke a warm and pleasant memory for the viewer. I love the outdoors and the beauty and charm of small children, so combining the two brings me great joy along with the challenge of trying to capture those wonderful childhood expressions. I feel so blessed when I receive an emotional outpouring of happiness and gratitude from my collectors when I present them their portrait commission. For my inspiration I look to Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn as the masters, but I continually develop my own style and color palette.
An artist's work should always be evolving - mine included. During the last few years I have had the desire for a more direct approach to capturing my subject matter, so I decided to take to the open landscape to paint the setting in its natural light. Painting "en plein air" has been one of the most frustrating, challenging and extremely rewarding things I have done in a long time. Finishing a plein air painting in about two hours before the sunlight changes produces dramatic and exciting results. My heroes of this genre are the early California impressionists: Payne, Redmond, Rose, etc.
The experience of "chasing the light" has opened a new door in my creative process. I now, truly believe that I have to work from life, outdoors, in order to capture the true quality of the moment. The process of painting in the field is not merely visual. It is one which utilizes all of my senses. I feel the plein air experience enhances the creative process of my studio paintings by keeping them fresh and vibrant. I am also committed to working from life in my studio. When the weather in inclement, I may be posing models or setting-up still life scenes to paint, whether it is oils or watercolors.
As a professional artist, I continually look for challenges for myself in order to grow artistically and spiritually. That's the beauty of it: I will never be finished growing as an artist. To capture and share the beauty I see with the viewer is indeed a great reward.
Oregon-born Victoria Brooks' path from young art student to professional artist and mentor is an inspiration to both those who appreciate fine art and those who aspire to create paintings that touch people's hearts.
Victoria's early interest in art lead to her studies in Graphic Design at Portland State University, followed by a dozen years as an award-winning art director and designer in the television and film industries. As successful as her career in applied arts was, however, it offered few opportunities for Victoria to pursue her first love – painting fine art.
Determined to be true to that love, Victoria made the life-changing decision to commit to her dream of becoming an independent, professional fine artist. She resumed her studies in oil painting at the California Art Institute, where – influenced by the work of Sargent, Sorolla, and Zorn, and her own affinity for painting en plein air – she developed a unique artistic voice characterized by a vibrant color palette and an impressionistic personal style. The result has been a body of work with a strong sense of spontaneity and freshness.
Indeed, after thirty years of creating paintings that have captured the ephemeral emotions of people in natural settings, resonated with viewers in some 234 juried group or solo exhibitions around the world, and been recognized with “Best of Show” and other awards, Victoria's commitment to her artistic journey is a classic story of how to transform a dream into reality. The work speaks for itself.
You can see examples of Victoria's studio, portrait, and en plein air artwork and find information about the international painting workshops she hosts at: vbrooks.com
Gallery Representation
Fairweather House and Gallery, Seaside, OR
Patris Studio & Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Wild Moon Gallery, Tillamook, OR
Patris Studio & Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Wild Moon Gallery, Tillamook, OR
