In the small town of Shallotte Point, North Carolina, supplying photos to the local paper The Brunswick Beacon,  Michael Brooks began his art career as a freelance photographer.    

  

Even several years prior to working with The Beacon he had created four short animated movies using an 8mm movie camera and time lapse photography, claymation, and other experimental techniques.  Even though he walked and carried his equipment long distances and worked in the darkroom, he still managed to cover parades, fishing tournaments, and all types of newsworthy events. 

           

Click on the image above to see more photos from the Brunswick Beacon.

His skills grew and were soon recognized by local professionals.   Various golf and resort communities approached him, commissioning him to photograph their properties to assist in their promoting and marketing.   Aside from decorating private offices, his works were soon seen in brochures, advertisements, and billboards, some of which are still in use today.

        Click on the image above to see more examples of Mr. Brooks photography in publications.

 Later Mr. Brooks began delving into computers, the internet and 2 dimensional graphics;  his first assignment in this new media was a logo for a California magazine, which opened the door to 3 dimensional graphics and computer art.  Mr. Brooks rapidly became adept in a variety of graphic and photographic programs. 

Michael's Mind, a Self Portrait

        Today Mr. Brooks continues to develop his photographic skills and techniques - photographing nature and working with an experimental prototype lens for amazingly high resolution detailed digital photos.  3D art continues to be one of his passions as well;  his works, reminiscent of Dali, could best be described as a new techno-surrealism.  He enjoys creating textures for 3D models and 3D images, utilizing both photographic and artistic skills.  He is able to incorporate his experimental photos into various 3D programs and various medias in different formats.

Ordainbee giclee Click on this image to view an art review in Creative Loafing

  In 1999 Mr. Brooks became a broker with Zygote as they began offering 3D items compatible with the Poser Program.  His first submission to them was a CD containing over 300 maps.  Later when DAZ was formed, he brokered a wide variety of 3D maps sets for varied products available through their site store.  Below are few images of some of the more popular sets which he offered for sale through them.  By clicking on the image you will be taken to a more complete view of the maps previously offered for sale.

   

     Marine Map Pack     Monster Parts Mappak     Wildlife Mappak 2                             

    Mr. Brooks now coordinates a 3D texture map store within the Content Paradise site.  Some of these classic maps and many new texture maps are available at the new store titled MAPTROPOLIS.  You can see some of those products on this site by clicking here - or we invite you to visit www.ContentParadise.com and click on the partners page for Maptropolis.

       Mr. Brooks recently completed a movie, including a combination of computer animation,  which honors a prominent citizen of a small North Carolina town;  the movie includes photos from the turn on the 20th century, which Mr. Brooks restored and combined with 3D animations.  An article mentioning the movie appeared in the Record of North  Wilkesboro.  The success of this project has already led to the commission of two more movies and a commercial.

    Each of the banners below is linked to a newspaper article regarding the person and the work of Michael Brooks

 

In recent years Mr. Brooks has created characters for a European game company and has made contracts with a poster company.  He has been commissioned to illustrate a novel and to design CD jackets; he has giclee prints on display in a NC gallery and two images in a Houston gallery. 

    David Hayes, former curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  purchased an assortment of his works for display in his residence.  A member of the Charlotte Art League, he has works on display at the CALeidoscope Gallery in Charlotte, NC.  Through the internet his works have been purchased in Europe and Australia.  Articles describing his work have appeared in Creative Loafing and in The Westmoreland News.

  To view the video clip below will require RealPlayer. 

Click here for a free download.

  Click here to see a short clip of an artist at work.

  Click here for a free download of QUICKTIME.

Click here to view a sample video of a Shallotte Point sunrise. 

Click here to view a sample animation created by Michael Brooks

 

Over the years Mr. Brooks has encouraged and assisted various artists, sharing advice, expertise and materials.  He has also donated works and proceeds to churches and and to charities to assist the terminally ill, missing children organizations, and churches.

    Mr. Brooks was born in Salisbury, NC, yet was raised by the fine people of Shallotte Point, NC.  Although he continues to maintain an office and residence in Charlotte, he has recently moved to an undisclosed location to perform research and development in his private lab at a coastal front retreat in the southeastern seaboard and occasionally withdraws to a private location in the NC mountains.

    Click here to view a list of the tools and hardware Mr. Brooks uses to create his films, animations, photographs, and art.

 

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