The Sacred Joy of Creating: Meet Artist Brooke Schery

Artist Spotlight: Brooke Schery

Art often enters our lives not with grand fanfare, but through a quiet moment of joy. For Brooke Schery, a devoted school professional and self-described hobbyist, that moment arrived at a paint-and-sip night in Alden, New York. She left the event not only with a canvas in hand, but with a sense of wonder rekindled—one that would quietly transform into a meaningful, years-long creative path.

Brooke began acrylic painting in 2018, guided first by YouTube tutorials from artist Cinnamon Cooney, known affectionately as The Art Sherpa. “As soon as I finished my first class,” Brooke recalls, “I thought—this is something I could do in my free time and really enjoy!” From there, she immersed herself in the rhythm of color, shape, and imagination, gaining confidence one brushstroke at a time.

A gift to others

What began as a personal practice slowly became a gift to others. Working in a school setting, Brooke noticed the faded, decades-old student mailboxes stationed outside classroom doors—most long untouched. She offered to repaint them, and the response was immediate and enthusiastic. One by one, she carried them home, adding bright colors, whimsical scenes, and personal touches. “All of a sudden, I had more mailboxes than I had time for,” she laughs. But she kept going—driven not by obligation, but by love.

Brooke’s story is a profound reminder that creativity is not reserved for the few. It doesn’t require formal training or outside validation. In fact, her relationship with art began with a wound. In high school, an art teacher dismissed her efforts, telling her to give up entirely. And she did—for years. But the soul doesn’t forget what calls to it. When Brooke returned to creating, it wasn’t through critique, but through joy, community, and connection.

Even before her painting revival, creativity had quietly woven itself into her life. In high school, a home and careers class introduced her to quilting. Sitting at the sewing machine, she felt her late grandmother’s presence—a homemaker shaped by the Great Depression who stitched blankets and repaired clothes with love. That class, taught by Mrs. Jane Eliasz, was more than technical instruction; it was a sacred thread back to family, resilience, and purpose.

Today, Brooke’s art lives not only on mailboxes, but across the school she serves—chalkboard messages, festive doors, whimsical bulletin boards. During Reading Week, she chose Goodnight Moon, her favorite childhood book, and decorated her classroom door to reflect its gentle magic. The children’s reactions—sparkling eyes, eager voices—became the true masterpiece.

At its core, Brooke’s journey is about reclaiming what was once cast aside. It’s about listening to the inner voice that whispers, “You are still an artist.” Her story invites us to pause and ask: What lights you up? What creative impulse have you buried that is waiting to bloom?

You only need to begin

You don’t need to be a professional. You don’t need to be perfect. You only need to begin. As Brooke says, “It doesn’t matter if adults told you you’re not good enough. Your artwork is special—to others, yes—but most importantly, to you.”

Let this be your reminder: creativity is not a luxury; it’s a sacred birthright. When you nurture it, you reconnect with something timeless within yourself. So attend that local paint night. Doodle in the margins. Mend something with care. And tell the young ones in your life that their art is amazing—because it is.

Support local artists. Support yourself. And above all, keep creating.

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Interested in Brooke’s Work?

Brooke accepts commissions on a consignment basis and is also available to teach basic painting classes for all ages (she is an excellent teacher!). Whether you’re looking to add custom art to your space or explore your own creativity, reach out to connect with her directly: crazydancer5428@gmail.com

Thank you for reading. See you next month!

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