Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooks Davis II.
Hi Brooks, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m an artist and designer from Savannah, Georgia, working mainly in graphite on paper. My creative path has always been hands-on—shaped by a childhood surrounded by makers and fueled by a love for building, sketching, and storytelling through imagery.
A severe arm injury in fifth grade changed everything. It forced me to relearn how to use my dominant arm and adapt my entire creative process. Over time, I pushed through physical limits and pain, but in recent years, that injury worsened. I had to step away from 3D work and product design, returning to simpler tools like pencil and paper—where I first found my voice.
My work is shaped by Southern roots, neurodivergence, and a deep respect for the small, often overlooked moments in life. I focus on animals, emotion, and the kind of quiet beauty that lives in everyday things. My goal is to create work that feels honest and human—something people can connect with.
Whether I’m capturing grief, love, or change, I make art for the future—for those who need a reminder to keep going, and for those who believe even small moments are worth remembering.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While my arm injury has shaped much of my journey, the deeper challenge has always been internal—believing I belonged in art at all. I come from a family of builders and designers—architecture, engineering, furniture—so while creativity was valued, fine art felt like the outlier. Choosing it meant stepping into unfamiliar territory, often without a clear sense of direction.
Living with ADHD added another layer. My mind moves fast, jumping between ideas and disciplines. At times, that scattered energy felt like a setback. But it’s also what pushed me to explore widely—through architecture, UX, industrial design, and systems thinking. That curiosity became a strength, and it’s what ultimately led me back to what matters most: creating.
As my injury progressed, I had to confront new limitations—especially in my ability to work long hours at a computer. Letting go of certain tools and processes was hard, but it forced me to get honest, simplify, and return to what felt most natural: pencil, paper, presence.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Obstacles are rarely endings. They’re simply thresholds. Sometimes you climb over them, sometimes you reroute—but either way, you keep moving. Progress isn’t always loud or visible; often, it’s just showing up consistently. A little every day adds up.
Creativity isn’t reserved for the elite—it lives in how we solve problems, how we notice beauty, how we keep going when things get hard. And that’s the kind of art I try to make.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a graphite artist and adaptive creator based in Savannah, Georgia. My work centers on capturing quiet, emotional moments—often through detailed portraits of animals, expressive creatures, and natural scenes. Rooted in a deep love for storytelling and the overlooked beauty in everyday life, I use pencil and paper to explore themes of grief, connection, memory, and resilience.
Due to a long-term arm injury, I’ve had to adapt how I create, which has brought me back to slower, more intentional forms of making. Each piece is a practice in patience and presence. I’m deeply inspired by the emotional language of animals and the soft, unspoken bonds we form with them and the world around us.
My goal is to create work that feels sincere—art that speaks to parents, kids, and anyone carrying something heavy—and reminds people there’s still beauty, even in struggle.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Just keep creating—whatever it is. Real creativity comes from paying attention and showing up consistently, not from talent alone.
Pricing:
- 9×12″ commissions start at $650
- 8×10″ commissions start at $500
- 5×7″ portraits are $150, paid in full
- minimum $100 deposit required
- email for more details [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bybrooks.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drawingsbybrooks/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Drawings-By-Brooks/61557642517740/
- Other: https://bybrooks.co/pages/commission-request-form
