We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Brooks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tyler thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I remember in fourth grade being allowed to draw after I had finished my lesson or during a movie or out loud reading time. My teacher understood that was how I wanted to express myself and it also helped me not be a distraction to others who were still working. Having that first glimpse of support sparked something in me and from there I just continued to create. My mother was also a creative and had attempted to start a career as an author of children’s books around the same time. Just having the adult support at a young age really helped me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

From a very young age I have always had my hand in something artistic, whether it be drawing, painting, creative writing, acting in plays, and later becoming a musician. My upbringing has always been heavily influenced by the phrase ” Do it yourself”, sometimes in not the best way but it shaped me to become the artist and man I am today. I strive to create everything myself in an ecological manner by reusing materials and upcycling, another thing that was taught to me at a young age, you can re purpose anything and everything if you put your mind to it. Coming from rural beginnings and later transitioning to living in cities, I’ve taken both aspects and incorporate them into almost all my pieces. From my art which is heavily focused on political climate and the ever-growing urban sprawl causing gentrification, which displaces and effects millions of people every year, to the clothes I create and design with my company Higher Vision. Authenticity and compassion are what drive me the most and all my finished projects make me the proudest because I know it came from the heart, with raw emotion.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My story comes with many trials and tribulations, the biggest being drug and alcohol addiction. For many years I stop creating, I had lost my drive and passion for music and spiraled heavily into addiction for many years. There was always an attempt to get sober and get back on track creatively, but it took years to stick. Getting sober and out of that head space has been my biggest challenge but I’m still here, now sober for 16 months, it is still a challenge everyday but being able to express myself through clothes and art has been a big help, along with the immense in-house support I get (My amazing girlfriend, best friends, and family).

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me is finishing a painting. It gives me so much therapeutic relief. Everything I was feeling, all the stress, anger, and pain just removes itself throw the brush. That to me is far more rewarding than the praise from others, even though that is really nice too and is always appreciated.

Contact Info:

• Website: Highervisionclothingcompany.com
• Instagram: BentxBroke
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HigherVisionClothingCompany
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/highervisionnc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJwgpQRKyI
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3g1LfmeC3RfuBek5BvnfMT?si=kFKaEOSQQi2qDIjn75mUHw

Image Credits
Keith Ruther, Tyler Brooks