Vendor Spotlight – KBrooks Originals

Hello everyone, Kev here welcoming you to the tenth edition of the Oddmall Vendor Spotlight! This will be a recurring series to share with you all some of your local vendors and attendees of Oddmall shows, highlighting their incredible talents, wonderful personalities and amazing creations. 

Now this week is going to be incredibly special and unique. Mainly because we’ll be featuring the very talented artist Kirt Brooks – the only thing is that he doesn’t know about it until right now! Thanks to the help of his loving wife, and number one fan, Leigh Anne, I got to learn so much about Kirt and his iconic style. Instantly recognizable at Oddmall shows, these Bigfoot paintings have become a staple at our events and always spark great conversation.

Kirt and Leigh Anne originally met back in 1988 in the Air Force, where he spent the next 23 years of his life. It wasn’t until after he left that he found his love for painting which led him to a 15-plus year journey of perfecting his craft. But before Bigfoot was ever featured, Kirt was best known for his custom art. It was most often that when people in his workplace would leave the company, he would do a going-away painting – creating a picture of that person in a scenario that reflected their personality. “Everyone loved getting a Kirt Brooks original painting!” Leigh Anne shares, reminiscing about his origins. “His artistic skills stretch beyond just the cryptids. I love how Kirt is able to capture a person’s features and you know exactly who he is painting!”

While Kirt does have many well-loved and customized pieces, including a very recent work he did for Andy Hopp himself, it was his Bigfoot art that brought him to the Oddmall family, beginning at the Akron PickleFest in 2023. Since then, Kirt and Leigh Anne have become regulars at Oddmall shows, as well as attending other cryptid themed events. It was at Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival in Logan where his art was so appreciated that the organizer had Kirt do the art for the advertising poster!

When it came to Kirt’s art, my burning question was what had drawn him to Bigfoot? Ultimately, it came to him when a childhood friend had asked for one of his custom paintings, preferably of Bigfoot in the woods. Enjoying the creation process, this inspired him to feature Bigfoot in other settings. “I like to joke that Kirt’s motto is: ‘If a person can do it, so can Bigfoot!’ And why not throw in a few of Bigfoot’s homies!!”, Leigh Anne jokes while discussing his draw to cryptids. Since then, we have seen Kirt’s art stretch anywhere from the famous George Constanza portrait to the Peanut’s Great Pumpkin episode – all featuring Bigfoot himself!

When it comes to his process, Kirt likes to keep things straightforward. “He gets an idea and goes out to his studio (my former sun room!) and puts paint to canvas,” Leigh Anne describes. “Kirt doesn’t need to sketch out his ideas. He seems to automatically visualize his images and paints it. I can’t do that, I need an outline but he just does it!”

And while Kirt does sell his original works, he and Leigh Anne also sell prints as well, with “Squatch Ross” being one of his most popular. Although recently, people have been very interested in the Bigfoot ‘bathroom’ art that he has created. While they never imagined people would love his prints in their bathroom, it seems to be a very popular option!

While Kirt and Leigh Anne will always be available at shows, be sure to check them out on Facebook as well! And if you have a custom painting you would like, Kirt loves doing custom pieces for people, whether it be Bigfoot related or not! “Just don’t ask him to do a painting of your dog,” Leigh Anne laughs. “Kirt prefers a bit of a challenge. A pet isn’t out of the question, [but he] wants to have fun with his subject matter.”

Lastly, for Kirt; I just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was talking with your wife, Leigh Anne, and learning more about you and your artwork, and hearing how much joy you put into it. And, as one last parting gift, I have one last statement to share for you from Leigh Anne; “Kirt, I love you so much and I want others to share the joy of your art!!!”

You can find more from KBrooks Originals at:
KBrooks Originals Facebook 
Kirt’s next Oddmall show!  
Coming soon to the Oddmall Outpost! 

Want to be featured in your own Vendor Spotlight? Contact Kevin at Kevin@Oddmall.info or fill out the application here!

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