Kevin Brooks:  

Kevin Brooks is best known for the versatility of his many works - portraits, murals, and exhibition pieces to magazine illustration, book jackets, CD designs, and children's book illustrations. Mr. Brooksʼ realist & impressionistic style with bold palette evoke the sensuousness of nature and the liberation of the human spirit. Kevin Brooks became a professional singer/guitarist at the age of seventeen while doing a weekly TV series with CBS. The show, called “Tell It Like It Was,” first of its kind in the nation, aired in Philadelphia, Pa. 1967-69 and featured African American historical lore as exemplified in story, song, and art. As co-host, Kevin performed as singer/guitarist and artist who drew and painted the featured stories narrated by singer and host Dallie Muhammed, while also attending the Philadelphia College of Art. He studied painting with Will Barnet and later, Kevin received mentoring from his friend, the late Don Miller. After being an adjunct art instructor in the Integrative Studies Program at Pratt University, Kevin developed a teaching method in his Art Discovery Program called BCSI while teaching art for 7 years at the Newark Boys Chorus School in Newark, NJ. Through specific techniques the BCSI method of learning: Belief, Courage Strength, Intuition is based on changing a doubtful, negative mindset into a completely esteemed and positive one. As designer and resident artist for 18 years with Project Impact, an Arts in Education resource organization, Kevin has produced several mural and workshop residencies throughout a variety of schools in Union City, NJ. and NY. The visual art redesign of school lobbies with an infusion of murals has become a requested campaign experience. For students, teachers, staff, and parents... participation in this type of program has produced amazing and lasting results in the discovery of what skills can be learned. Mr. Brooksʼ notable published portraits include Muhammed Ali, the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, also two oil portraits of Cissy Houston, commissioned by Whitney Houston, which generously led to several portraits for Tony Anderson of Sony Records. His painting “Strides”, depic...Expand for more