Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Robinson.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am mostly known for my curation of the largely popular online lettering resource, Goodtype, founded in 2013. What most people don’t know is that I began my art career at a young age, influenced by my mother’s beautiful oils on canvas. I created a lot of mixed media collages on heavyweight paper, integrating acrylics, typography and found imagery.
Eventually, my art career paused to make way for a more disciplined and stable graphic design job, post-graduation, at a large Texas clothing retailer called TYLER’S. Where I also learned how to produce and manage the marketing and social media which played a large role in leading me where I am today with Goodtype.
Goodtype was started after a long bicycle ride. The summer of 2012, I got antsy and wanted more from life. I quit my job at TYLER’S, sold my car and rode my bike with a friend down the West Coast from Vancouver, B.C. to the border of Mexico.
As a graphic designer, I’d always had a passion for the art of lettering and typography. But it was on this trip that I rediscovered my passion for this particular art form. The West Coast is a treasure trove of hand lettered signs and logos, hand painted murals and typography. Being on my bicycle allowed me to better connect with each city’s environment and allowed me to discover and absorb much of the city’s art and culture.
As the trip went on, I thought to myself, “There must be a place for the art form of lettering and type to live. I posted my first curated image on Instagram under the name Goodtype on July 24th, 2013, with the tagline of “Giving credit where credit is due.” I didn’t want to be a curated account without crediting the lettering artists behind the art. Goodtype has since published two curated lettering books featuring artwork from nearly 200 artists from over 30 countries. The latest book was released on July 10th, 2018 and published by Rizzoli New York.
Since 2016, Goodtype has hosted almost 20 different lettering workshops all across the nation from NYC to LA to San Francisco and Austin. Goodtype recently turned 5 on July 24, 2018 and has crossed the threshold of 900,000 followers on Instagram. And now we are looking forward to announcing details on our Foundry. More to come on that.
It is my hope for Goodtype to have a physical brick and mortar place in Austin, TX for workshops, retail and of course, coffee. Lettering and coffee go hand in hand. I now run Goodtype full-time in Austin, TX. I have since then warmly invited my more playful and artistic side back to the stage. Having shown in 4 shows this year with atxGALS—with more on the horizon. I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2007.
Please tell us about your art.
Color, color, color! I love to play with color. I also love memorializing objects from the past like retro motorcycle helmets, vintage Porsches, old Land Rover Defenders, and old Honda motorcycles. One of my favorite pieces is a 2 foot by 2-foot replication of the original Polaroid packaging ticking off the box of color play and retro imagery. My canvases can range anywhere from 8 inches by 8 inches to larger scale 4 foot by 4-foot pieces from heavy 7-ply wood to skate decks to found wood.
I play with brushes of all sizes. I even have this large freestyle 8” (20.32 cm) brush by Liquitex which I love! My new favorite mediums I’ve been using lately have been spray acrylic cans. I picked up a case full of Montana spray cans at The Paint Yard in San Antonio. I’ve been playing a lot with their brilliant fluorescent colors creating some really rad gradients. But I also love to play with my Krink paint markers for any sort of lettering or pop icon projects. I love juxtaposing different textures and colors one wouldn’t expect to see together. Like gold leaf with baby pink and a fluorescent gradient. I want to leave the viewer feeling inspired with a unique experience while connecting with my work.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
In the day and age of social media, I believe the struggle for recognition has been diminished. We are much more empowered as artists to build our brand and put it out there for the world to see. Because social media offers such transparency, it allows community and art enthusiasts alike an inside or behind-the-scenes look into the artists process and allows folks to better connect with the art itself which in turn I believes creates more value for the work being produced. One main struggle many artists have is the limited ability to display their artwork. I feel more businesses can get involved by hosting monthly art residencies allowing a new artist to display/sell their work. It’s a win-win for everyone.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity of working with atxGALS who produce amazing art events supporting local, female artists. I will be in an atxGALS show on September 28th at Native Hostel in Austin, TX. I will also be showing in Big Medium’s East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) which is a free, annual, self–guided art event spanning two weekends in November.
I currently have two larger pieces of work for sale and displayed at Limbo Jewelry’s Domain Northside location in North Austin. I also have work on display and for sale at Upbring, which a portion of the sales will empower children in Texas foster care. Anyone interested in purchasing any of my art can contact atxgals.org@gmail.com or you can visit my website to browse more at www.brookerobinson.co.
Contact Info:
- Address: Goodtype
2028 E Ben White Blvd. Ste 240 PMB 1508
Austin, TX 78741 - Website: www.brookerobinson.co
- Email: brooke@goodtype.us
- Instagram: @brookethesunsurfer
- Facebook: fb.com/brooke.n.robinson
- Twitter: brookenrobinson
- Other: www.goodtype.us
Image Credit:
Katie O’Connell
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
