Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brook Page. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brook, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I’ve always excelled in art, even from a young age. In grade school, I succeeded in every art project, and in high school, I won every contest. I continued to thrive at the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the top art schools in the country, if not the best. So, when I graduated, I was surprised that I wasn’t instantly successful in the real world.

Straight out of art school, I moved to California and immediately went into teaching art. My degree was in illustration with a focus on children’s books, and in hindsight, I probably should have stayed in New England and taken my portfolio to New York to seriously pursue that dream. But at the time, I was homesick for California, and that’s where I wanted to be. I did some art shows but quickly became discouraged because I wasn’t making any sales. Coming from such a prestigious school, I had the expectation that success would come easily, but that wasn’t the case.

I became so discouraged that I gave up on art for many years. During that time, I bartended and did freelance work here and there, but I wasn’t putting my heart and soul into it. I was also dealing with trauma, depression, and mental health struggles, which made it difficult to fully focus on my development as an artist.

It wasn’t until I started working at Trader Joe’s that the spark for art came back to me. I began by doing their chalkboards and eventually convinced them to let me start doing murals. Once I got going, they recognized my talent, and I became known as the go-to person for murals for Trader Joe’s in the South. I worked there for a long time, but I knew I needed to pursue my own art.

I know I’m on the right path now, even if it’s 25 years past when I should’ve started. That comes with its own set of challenges—adjusting to new technology and managing an aging body—but I’m more determined than ever to make this work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I come from a long line of artists, so art has always been in my blood. I’ve been passionate about it for as long as I can remember. After excelling in art all through school, I chased my dream of attending the Rhode Island School of Design, where I majored in illustration. But I couldn’t stop there—I dove into everything from silversmithing to glassblowing, puppeteering, and even animation.

When I graduated from art school in 2000, the internet was still pretty new, and everyone carried around physical portfolios to find work. The world has changed so much since then! Now, in my 40s, I’m relearning a lot about the art industry. It’s been an interesting journey creating my own website and dealing with social media. You probably won’t believe this, but I didn’t even own a computer until a few years ago. Back when I did research for murals at Trader Joe’s, I was going to the library to hunt for image references!

After college, I hit a bit of a rough patch. I did some shows in Laguna Beach and worked as a freelance artist, but I got discouraged and, honestly, gave up for almost a decade. Then along came Trader Joe’s! I started painting murals for their stores, and my creative spark came roaring back. My murals—filled with color, storytelling, and a little humor—now brighten stores from South Beach, Miami, to Little Rock, Arkansas.

A few years ago, I took the plunge and decided to go all-in as a full-time artist. Now, even though I work 11 hour days, 7 days a week, I wouldn’t have it any other way . In just the last year, I’ve been accepted into four amazing galleries and was even selected by the St. John’s Cultural Council to create a mural at Saint Augustine Beach pier, kicking off the new St. John’s County Public Art Trail. I recently got to design a poster for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is super fun.

My work is often inspired by nostalgia—those little flashes of memory and connections to the past that make you smile. I’m also in the process of finding a studio space so I can create much larger paintings. And someday, I’d love to start a puppeteering studio here in Jacksonville—one of those quirky dreams I just can’t shake.

When I’m not painting murals or creating new artwork, you can find me at art markets and farmers markets, chatting with people and sharing my work. I sell my artwork at the Plum Gallery in Saint Augustine, Florida, the Spoonbill Gallery in Greenville, South Carolina, and online at www.brookpageart.com. I’m also on the lookout for an art agent to help me jump into the world of art licensing, which has always been a goal of mine. In the meantime, I’m available for mural commissions, pet portraits, and whatever else might come my way!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn as an artist is being okay with letting go of my artwork. When I first started at Trader Joe’s, I would spend a lot of time creating these beautiful, hand-lettered chalkboards to advertise products. Then, I’d come in the next day only to find that my work had been erased because the product sold out or didn’t arrive. It was a gut punch—watching all that effort just disappear.

But that experience pushed me to become faster and more prolific in my work. I had to learn to let go and embrace the process. Now, I’m known as a fast painter and produce a lot of artwork. While there are still some pieces I cherish and hold onto, I’ve become more comfortable with selling my work and moving on. It’s freeing, knowing that I have an endless well of creativity inside me. Letting go of a piece opens up space for the next idea to flow, and that’s been a really important part of my growth as an artist.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way for society to support creatives is simple: buy their work and let them know you appreciate what they’re doing. It sounds basic, but it makes a huge difference. I think about all the things I’ve bought over the years when I could have been investing in art. Artists, especially when they’re just starting out, often offer incredible pieces at great prices. What a unique and meaningful gift to give or receive!

I wish I had been collecting art from fellow artists all my life—I’d have an amazing collection by now. Supporting creatives this way not only helps them thrive but also builds a community of art lovers and creators.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brookpageart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookpageart
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/brookpage
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookpageart