Josh Brooks is a Baltimore-based artist known for his distinctive approach to figurative painting, where vibrant color, expressive gesture, and a spirit of romantic rebellion converge. Raised in Cold Spring, New York, Brooks was immersed in art from an early age, studying drawing and painting while dedicating much of his youth to competitive hockey. When a severe leg injury abruptly ended his athletic trajectory, he entered a challenging period before ultimately finding direction, purpose, and healing through his artistic practice. His commitment to art led him to earn a post-baccalaureate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art, after which he made Baltimore his home.

Drawing on the complexities of his suburban upbringing, Brooks rejects the cultural pull toward precision and perfection, instead embracing a deliberate sense of “ordered chaos.” His paintings balance recognizable forms with loose, dripping veils of bold, intermingling color, an intentional release of control that mirrors his commitment to honoring imperfection and the unpredictable nature of the human experience. This tension between structure and spontaneity serves as a visual response to a world increasingly shaped by algorithmic ideals, reaffirming the beauty of what is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human.

For more than a decade, Brooks has maintained an active studio practice in Baltimore. His work has been featured in six solo exhibitions in the city, including two at Highlandtown Gallery. His paintings have also appeared in numerous group shows in Baltimore and at Anderson Contemporary Gallery in New York City, establishing him as a compelling and continually evolving voice in contemporary figurative painting. His work is held in private collections throughout the United States.