Artist Profile

Ann Brooks

Novato, CA

Once asked, “In one or two words, what means the most to you in life?”, I was stunned that the answer, the realization, came in an instant: Creative Opportunity! My artistic expression, often three-dimensional, is an effort to create beauty and simplicity in functional objects. Art-to-Wear. Secret Pockets. Jewelry. Photography, even architecture!

As an artist, I’ve “worn many hats”.

I learned knitting and sewing at my mother’s knee and in the 1980s weaving was a natural. When I tired of the two-dimensionality of weaving I transitioned to simple beaded jewelry.

In the early 1990s, I branched out, taking metal smithing and fiber sculpture classes at College of Marin. Soon knitting re-entered. I began knitting wire – primarily fine gage electronics wire. Using a home knitting machine. I knit fine metal strips of various widths, cut and sewed various configurations together. I beaded the edges of the created earrings, necklaces and bracelets with delicate seed beads.

With my unique knit wire jewelry, participation in upscale, competitive craft shows followed. My work was featured in national magazines, books, and used in Hollywood costume design. My life as a fine art jeweler was from 1994 to 2001. That period is covered on my website: http://annbrooks.com/jewelry_archives.html

During the 2000s I traveled to faraway lands as a photographer. National Geographic used and reused an image. You’ll find more about the photography and other art at http://www.annbrooks.com

In 2008 I began designing jewelry with beads made by artisans from around the world, a collaboration, if you will. Beads I used were part of traditions handed down for generations. Creating that jewelry grew out of a fascination with exotic lands, which began in 1952 when my grandmother took me to Morocco (and Europe) as a teenager.

In 2017 I returned to textile art. I designed and created wearable art which gave me a wonderful opportunity to mix textiles, both ethnic and contemporary. A great variety of textiles and embellishments have become my pallet for "Secret Pockets" What's the secret? Come to my studio and see!.

Currently, in 2024/25 I've found an exciting way to use my fabrics and decades of sewing experience. I'm having fun creating small wall art contemporary quilting studies. This gives me the opportunity to experiment with color and design, two of my loves.