Brooks Art & Pottery Studios

Roy Brooks - Artist & Sculptor

I was born in 1942 in Pretoria, South Africa, and have had a passion for art from an early age. Without formal art training and fresh out of high school, I moved to Durban where I completed an apprenticeship as a Commercial Artist, joined a local art group, and exhibited at the Amphitheatre on the beach front and at Art in the Park in Pietermaritzburg. I moved to Johannesburg in 1970 where I joined the Artist Market and studied fine art under Sidney Goldblatt. I've run a design studio for 17 years and for the past 26 years I've worked in fine art.

Growing up in Pretoria, I spent many hours visiting the zoo and became fascinated by all the different animals. On marrying Mary, she introduced me to the wildlife parks around South Africa, and my passion for painting animals grew. Photographers can capture the whole wildlife scene beautifully, so I paint - not using a direct depiction of nature - I superimpose and juxtaposition the animals on the canvas. I am also fascinated by people and musical instruments.

My favourite medium is pastel, but I happily work in oils, acrylics, pencil, watercolour and mixed media. Besides teaching art, I work mainly on commissions in any medium, using any subject. I occasionally work in clay sculpture as an added dimension to the understanding of my subject matter.

I have now retired as a teacher, and although I miss my students, I'm enjoying the adventure of being free to pursuit my art and other interests at my leisure.

Artist's profile for Design Indaba 2010

Linsey Brooks - Ceramicist & Teacher

A spirit of warmth and exploration together with a desire to pass on my skills bring real joy to my work. I focus on helping my students to explore their creativity and experience group work in a relaxed and self-paced atmosphere. I encourage them to concentrate on the clay in their hands, allowing intuitive responses to guide their artistic expression while teaching them the techniques in which to follow through on their thoughts. Although I am missing teaching with my mother, I am privileged to carry on the legacy of all her years of experience and mentoring, and am enjoying passing those skills onto my students.

Mary Brooks - Ceramicist

I was born in Benoni, Gauteng in 1948. I studied ceramics under Gertie Hummitzsch, Wilma Cruise and Brenda Gomez. I have many utilitarian and decorative ceramic pieces in homes in Southern Africa and overseas. I exhibited on Ceramic SA Exhibitions and was a "Top 15" finalist at the Ekurhuleni National Fine Arts Exhibitions in 2005 and 2007. After many rewarding years as a ceramicist and teacher, I am ready to relax and enjoy retirement, knowing that the Pottery Studio will thrive in the capable hands of our very talented daughter, Linsey.

Mary and Linsey - dedicated Ceramics duo