Meet Brooke Robinson | Artist, Designer & Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooke Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“To lead is to inspire others by the way that you live and to be a force for good on this planet.” I often get caught up in the idea that in order to be a great leader, I must physically lead a team of people and run a company that employees a large staff. I must remind myself that there are several ways to be a leader in this world. Running a company which employs others is one very impactful way to lead, but it’s not the only way. And it’s certainly not my way—at least not now. I forget that I am an example to everyone I meet and know whether virtually or in real life. I am a leader to my family, friends and fans. To be the best version of myself and to live the best life I can while being a force for the greater good is how I can and choose to be a great leader.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an artist I waver between creating and curating. Curating is a form of art that I believe is more innate than it is learned. I’ve always had a knack for grouping and gathering wonderful things for display that usually appeal to the masses or are popular among certain niches. It’s an eye for design which became the fuel for growing Goodtype’s audience which has now amassed over 1 million followers. On the other hand, I love to create in the form of painting, mixed media, digital art and photography. My creative work is promoted under the moniker, Sea of the Sunsurfer or just Sunsurfer for short. I dubbed myself a Sunsurfer, which is a term I defined as the sun being light or warmth from a greater place and surfer as a rider of their own wave. I combined the words and defined a Sunsurfer as one who seeks the light, the warmth and their own truth in nature—a surfer of the sun. My work is inspired by nature, color, ancient wisdoms and perhaps a little bit of hip hop, whether it be a digital print or a mixed media flag or bag with found imagery and scribbled quotes or lyrics—or a painting with brightly colored wavescapes and surfers (actual surfers). You can have a look at some of my art through my new online printshop www.sunsurfer.art. It hasn’t been easy heeding my true calling of being an artist, a creative and a maker. Unfortunately, I learned early on that creatives can’t make a living. It’s been a journey to unlearn that false belief—but a journey worth taking. I believe I am here to find those jewels buried deep within me that have always been there and use those jewels to be a light in this world and leave this place better than I found it. And leave people I encounter better than I found them. The best way to do that is to honor who I truly am and continue to serve my authentic creative desires—be as authentic and whole as I conceivably can so that I can serve others, be it my family, my friends or strangers from the best place possible. You can’t pour from an empty cup!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Austin, TX is unlike any city I’ve been. It’s Texas, but with a twist—a really good one. I would take them to get breakfast tacos at a new spot every morning. Texas has no shortage of amazing food and great coffee! Radio Coffee on Manchaca (pronounced “man-check”) has a tasty taco truck on site called Veracruz—the best migas breakfast tacos—hands down. After we ordered our breakfast tacos, we’d head in and order our coffee. Other great breakfast taco joints are Tacodeli and Jo’s on South Congress, which is one of my other favorite coffee spots. Moving on from the breakfast tacos and coffee, we’d head to Barton Springs (Covid pending) and take a mid-morning dip and then take the pups to play at Zilker Park. Afterwards we’d stop by my all-time favorite, Juiceland on Barton Springs road and grab a smoothie! Then I’d take them back to S. Congress for some local shopping. One of my favorite spots to shop and see live music is Aviator Nation, which is right next to the famous Continental Club. I may be a bit bias, after all, my girlfriend is the owner and founder of Aviator Nation, even so, I was still a big fan before. Fun fact, I was her muse for the mural she painted on the back, left wall. She painted my tattoo on my arm perfectly. So I’d definitely take my pals to Aviator Nation and pick-up one of the world’s softest hoodies (made right here in the USA). For dinner, we’d cruise down to South Congress Café for their delicious warm goat cheese salad or maybe hit up Home Slice pizza for a slice of margherita and their garlic knots and wash it down with a Mexican coke! If we’re up for it, we’d head down to C-Boys, also on South Congress to catch some live music. C-Boys is where I discovered the lovely Leon Bridges! The next day, we’d do a bike ride to Mt. Bonnell for some lunch or maybe for an early dinner and watch the sun set over Lake Austin. It’s quite enchanting! Next, we’d explore the East Side and do breakfast at Cenoté then head up to UT Campus and visit Ellsworth Kelley’s colored chapel of light. It’s breathtaking. Austin offers an endless array of activities and restaurants. I could write a novel!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am to day without the incredible love and support of my family. They are always encouraging me on my peculiar, circuitous path of adventure and art. I would say that my life is the epitome of the phrase that “Life is a journey, not a destination.” They seem to have accepted that I am a seeker of the answers to life’s mysterious questions. I have a fervor for living a life full of adventure and creativity. If I’m ever at home, my mom will walk by the yard early in the morning seeing me doing my headstands and just chuckle and say, “Oh Brooke is doing her morning headstands!” I am an unusual human being and they love me for it. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Website: www.sunsurfer.art
Instagram: @seaofthesunsurfer
Other: @goodtype, www.goodtype.us

Image Credits
Paige Mycoskie, Cyndie Robinson, Brooke Robinson