Meet Brooke Hoogendoorn | Abstract Artist

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

Hi Brooke, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
As a creative, happiness is found in ways that’s almost hard to explain. I know there’s many others out there that understand these deep emotions yet, describing them can be tricky. It actually doesn’t take much to bring me joy. But on top of that list are my amazing family and actually, my job. Being able to have my job listed up there on what is essentially a long list of things that make me happy.. I realize is a huge blessing. Creating art, that sometimes even come as a surprise to me is one of the most rewarding things. For me true happiness equals tears… yes, I’m a crier. And yes, I’ve cried after a flood of emotions hit me when finishing up a painting because it made me …happy. I really enjoy the simpler things in life. From music with a good beat or seeing an older, happy couple in love. Oh my goodness…. I cant take it! I cant even began to explain the happiness my incredibly supportive husband and children bring me. Both of my kids have only know me as an artist their whole lives. My 21 year old daughter has now become my part time assistant. And nothing could be better then spending extra time with my favorite girl as she helps me follow my passion even further.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There’s a few of us out there, but being a self-taught artist is something I’m proud of. I do believe there’ s a natural understanding when creating that just comes …naturally. I like the fact that I’ve learned my way of painting due to many years of trials, errors and experimenting. One thing I love about art is; there is no right or wrong. Well, I’m sure some would disagree… but if I were to listen to that then I feel like creativity could get hindered. And that doesn’t sound right when were talking about originality. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “starving artist” and yes, at times that could definitely be relatable. Its not always an easy way to make a living. For me, I understood that some oppurtunities may come later rather then sooner. So .. just keep going.

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.
Down here in South Louisiana, Cajun Country.. you will find some of THE best food. I never said it was necessarily healthy but man, its good . From boiled crawfish, to chicken and sausage gumbo, fried shrimp po-boys to delicious king cakes. We also find any reason to celebrate and it usually involves a lot of food and a bit of drinking. Weekends could easily consist of a trip to a saturaday morning farmers market with fresh vegtables and homemade breads to hand crafted goodies. And if its the right time of year, you may get a taste of a Mardi gras celebration or you can enjoy the interesting Festival International, one of the worlds largest of its kind.
Whatever the occasion, I can almost guarantee that you’ll have some of the best food you’ve ever had and you”ll probably hear some hard-to-understand accents. All while crossing paths with some of the friendliest people youll ever meet; always ready to invite you over to watch a football game and maybe have a beer. And of course, you will never leave hungry.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Being an artist was always what I was going to be when I grew up. Now how I was going to get there, that was the real question. I also always knew that I wasn’t going to continue schooling after high school cause lets face it, its not for everyone. I’m pretty headstrong and tend to like to do things my way whether It makes sense to others or not. Luckily for me, I had enough support in my corner to understand me and realize that. I grew up in the somewhat small town, New Iberia in South Louisiana. Small enough to where most people know your family once you tell them who your parents are.
My home town gave me many opportunities to flourish. From business signs/windows, murals, small art shows, and being the poster artist for our yearly National Gumbo Cook-off for 3 separate years. I believe some of my success started when me and my now ex-husband bought our first little 1950s home that desperately needed updating. So of course you can imagine what an artist would do with that. At the time faux finishing was the decor of choice. My aunt (by marriage) Claire Flores noticed my work and had recently had her beautiful home painted by a group of decorative painters. She knew I had to get in on the craze. And with my artist touch and eye, that took off. I stayed booked for months. All while getting introduced to some of the areas most talented designers who kept me very busy. As the years went by, my art evolved like one would hope. I eventually tried the more abstract approach and it clicked. A Lafayette, La interior shop, Entre Nous was the first to show my abstracts and I’ve never looked back. I’ve since shown my work in several interior shops/galleries and have worked with many interior designers.
One being Paige Gary who has displayed my work for many years in the giveaway St. Jude Dream Homes. Mindy Bernard with Entre Nous, Claire Broussard with House of Broussard, Denise Kartsimas with DK Design, Dixon Smith Interiors of Baton Rouge, Jordan Versaggi, Designer Stacey Davis, The Big Easel Art show in Lafayette, La, which I’ve been apart of for over 15 years .Whit Geary; VIEW Gallery in Jackson, MS who has extended my reach out into the Mississippi area. And many more, whom I will be forever grateful for.
And of course I cant go without mentioning my parents giving me the space and freedom to be me. They let me paint my bedroom walls as a teen. Not many kids can say that! I still like to mention that because I really believe that kept my creative juices flowing and i know they are so proud of me today.

Website: www.brookehoogendoorn.com

Instagram: @b.hoogendoorn.art

Facebook: Brooke Hoogendoorn Art

Image Credits
Fushion Photography