Oliver J. Brooks was an African American artist who specialized in portraits. Photograph of Oliver “Ollie” J. Brooks.

Early life

Brooks was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in August 1872.

Career

Brooks’ paintings, in oil and pastel, are often found on the walls of churches, colleges, and schools in Missouri, Kansas and many others. His studio was in Kansas City, Kansas.

Brooks also used crayons in some of his art.

On December 23, 1896, Brooks married Loueva J. Simpkins.