now thats a concept!

I use to do illustrations for business week. Usually they were quite interesting assignments. Usually they had to do with the stock market or hedge funds, things of that nature. But once and a while they threw me a curved 'illustration' ball. For example; Alan Greenspan in a speedo jumping into an empty swimming pool from a great height (the art directors concept not mine) later they decided not to use it on the grounds that Alan Greenspan looked to disgusting in a speedo, DUH!!!. Yes, I was paid anyway. I could give you a huge list of amazingly bad ideas that usually came from the minds of editors (not known for there great visual thinking) I always knew when it was a bad idea, the first clue was when the art director would apologize before telling me about the assignment, It would go something like this 'I'm really sorry about what I'm about to tell you, its not my idea , really! its not!!!' and then go on for about 20 minutes saying things like 'do you hate this as much as me?' or 'I'll try to get you more money for this one' I have had editors tell me not to use a certain colour because the publishers wife doesnt like green or could you make 3 versions and we will pick one. The truth is I always did what they wanted. I would always put my spin on it of course but basically they would get what they asked for every time. Which brings me to the illustration above.I think everyone knows that creative people do there best work when they have the freedom to create. No horrible guidelines , no colour restraints, no speedos.So when this wonderful magazine calls me 4 times a year, to create a cover for there tech section, I cant help but smile. Its a joy to make these illustrations. Freedom of design and colour and expression. I always put my heart into these illustrations, they are basically fun.I have had many wonderful assignments over the years and here is hoping more come my way. Did I ever tell you about the snake giving birth to a turtle illustration? Time magazine, and no! it never ran, because it was killed before I ever put pencil to paper, and no! I wasn't paid.

P.S. Nobody should wear speedo's

philip brooker age 6

For years and years(2 in fact, it just seemed longer) I sat on the floor of my very cold bedroom at 139 kents hill road, north Thundersley, Benfeet, Essex, England (sorry about the long address but it felt good writing it after so long) and thought of very strange things to draw and paint. I was after all 6 years old ,and even then, I couldn't remember a day I didn't draw or paint something. Well dear reader nothing has really changed.Its not cold anymore and I have a few more tubes of paints, and yes even more than one paintbrush.I loved that paintbrush, I wore the poor thing down to one very sad hair...I still have it.
So when I came across my earliest work this morning, I selected this one (above) It seemed the most finished and happiest. I remember painting it, I almost remember every stroke. A little like we all remember learning to ride a bicycle or learning to swim for the first time.I remember thinking I was a clever boy (I didn't really think that out aloud, I was too shy for that) but people said 'aren't you clever' or 'who does he take after?' this seem to worry adults around me a lot. It was then that I first heard the name Picasso... 'He's a right little Picasso isn't he'. Five years later I would actually go to the Tate gallery my see my first Picasso.It was the portrait of Dora Marr 'The Weeping Woman' I went home and stayed up very very late painting my version 'The weeping man' (I will find it and post it here)
So after all these years I still have the same routine.I get up early, I paint, I draw, I work on my films and illustrations, I design furniture, I take photographs. Today instead of creating a painting called 'The weeping man' deep inside I've turned into one.

Well its time to go back to my studio......
Philip Brooker age 53

and now on the brighter side

Here is a little illustration I just finished for the Knight Foundation. As I'm sure a lot of you know (because I bored you to death with it) I won a grant from the Knight Foundation to start a project called 'The Miami Poster Project' Basically 'YOU' design a poster and win a lot of money, as well as great exposure. Its open to everybody. It doesn't have to be a drawing, it can be a poem, a story, a word...BUT!!! It does have to capture the essence of miami.(More about this later) Soon the website will be finished , so all you budding and not so budding artists can read all the simple details...who knows you may even win....Stay tuned, its going to be very exciting....
The illustration above is to call for entries for the new Knight Foundation awards 2009. Who knows, you might win that as well....I did.

bright and breezy

A lot of people (usually my family) say 'Philip why is your art so dark and gloomy?" and I usually reply "I need a martini" Anyway here (above) is an example of my lighter more colourful side. It's for a magazine called Mortgage Monthly (yes you heard right) and I produce four of these covers a year.I really enjoy creating these illustrations because the art director gives me complete freedom.My family likes these illustrations because they are happy and joyful, unlike my other work which is, shall we say a little deeper.I sent this illustration to my sister and she said 'Philip why don't you create more art like this?" to which I replied "I need a martini".
So for the readers who prefer the lighter side of my brain go to www.anicecupoft.com
for the readers who like it a little (lot) darker go to www.philipbrooker.com

love sex and death in 3 minutes and 20 seconds...give or take a few seconds. In 3 acts.

I was asked to produce a small 3-5 minute film about my work to be shown at the Wolfsonian exhibition 'Thoughts on Democracy' during Art Basel 2008. O.K. enogh words.....roll the film (popcorn not included)

the latest illustration...

O.K. O.K. I know what you are thinking.What is philip doing!! This illustration is too bright and happy and nothing like his 'real work' Well you would be right thinking this, and as much as it was fun to do I now crave for a darker me (don't worry, dark lurks just beneath my skin) A change is as good as a rest they say, so consider this illustration a little rest, almost a nap... It's for The Miami Herald travel section.You get to see it before the readers of the paper will......o.k. now where did I put my tube of dark paint?

my latest illustration

I did this illustration for a magazine called mortgage monthly. I know what you are thinking 'boring' (the name of the magazine and hopefully not the illustration) but you would be wrong.
Visually this magazine has some of the best illustrators around gracing its pages. I suppose this really isn't the
right time to be saying the 'M' word what with the economy the way it is....ooooops!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Dont forget to click on the illustration for a better view of the detail. Merci