Brooke Parr Makes Everything Cuter
Brooke Parr took the Buzz by storm when she asked for input on a Bexley-based illustration featuring landmarks and images of significance to the community. Dozens of comments later, she refined her artwork, which is now available for sale at Urban Emporium on t-shirts and canvas bags. We had to know more.
“I was happily surprised by the amount of engagement and excitement I received about my design,” Brooke says. “I had people messaging me asking me if I could create all kinds of things - magnets, flags, t-shirts. I am open to any and all ideas and hope to continue creating new things that the community will enjoy.”
“I've been in love with drawing and coloring since I was a little girl. I've always found it relaxing. I'm one of those people that tends to sit in meetings and doodle. Believe it or not, it's always helped me concentrate,” Brooke says. “Drawing cute things makes me happy, and it's something that's never faded away, even as I've grown older.”
Aside from Bexley buildings, Brooke’s illustrations tend towards cute animals.
“I've had so many people describe my art as ‘very round,’ and it's so true! Most of the critters I draw are very circular. Cats and frogs are two animals that I’ve always drawn and continue to be popular in the art world. I have vended at whole events that are centered around cats. I've been to Cat Con in Pasadena and Seameow in Seattle. Both are large conventions for cat lovers that include workshops, cat adoptions, and lots of shopping for cat products or cat-themed merchandise. These events were so much fun and allowed me to explore new places!”
Brooke largely sells her art at events, like anime and comic conventions. “I didn't even know this world of conventions existed until a friend introduced me back in 2018, and I was hooked instantly. There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing other people get excited about something you've created. These events create such a loving and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels included and can be themselves.”
Brooke’s favorite items to make are the patterns for tote bags and skirts – “My ultimate dream in life would be to design fabric and children's clothing. How incredible would it be to walk into a JoAnn's store and see your own fabric designs for sale!” – as well as backpacks known as ita bags that people use to display enamel pins. She also makes crochet items that she sells on Etsy.
Brooke and her husband Jeremy moved to Bexley eight years ago, when their now seventh-grade son, Emerson, started preschool. She’d spent some years in Bexley as a child and again as a student at Capital University “It's somewhere that I always felt would be good to raise a family and I still consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made.” She calls Jeremy her best friend, and notes that her son Emerson “will never admit this, but he is an amazing artist” though he really loves sports.
Brooke’s day job is to oversee policy development and implementation with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, which helps students in Columbus City Schools receiving special education services. She’d been a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the agency for ten years before this recent promotion. She credits the agency with a great work-life balance that lets her pursue art.
