A painter and cartoonist living in Henrico, Virginia, Gary Brookins draws the cartoon panel "Pluggers" for Tribune Media Services. The feature appears in about 75 papers nationwide, including the Boston Globe, Dallas Morning News, Denver Post, St. Paul Pioneer-Press, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Richmond Times-Dispatch. Gary also does the drawing for the comic strip "Shoe" which appears in about 650 newspapers worldwide and is distributed by King Features Syndicate. For over 30 years, he was the editorial cartoonist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His editorial cartoons were also syndicated by King Features to 450 newspapers nationwide.

A native of Florida, Gary received a BA degree in Studio Art from the University of West Florida in 1972. He can often be found out and about painting vintage cars and trucks, quaint old diners and houses, and Virginia landscapes. He is represented by Brazier Gallery and Studio in Richmond. He and his wife, Janet, have four sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.