Israel Crooks is Changing the World Through Art

Israel Crooks has been keeping his artistic gifts on the “down low” for many years. An Adult Educator and Scientist by education and experience, Israel found himself continually turning to sketching with inks and painting in acrylics from his childhood. With no formal training in the fine arts at the time, Israel turned out pieces for his friends and family solely for the therapy it provided to his soul.

 

Born in Hanover, Jamaica, Israel has called the Hamilton downtown core home since immigrating in 2002. As a way to make meaning of his new home and its environs, Israel turned to painting the people and places he saw around him; to process his feelings of homesickness for Jamaica, he painted people and scenes that had formed a part of his childhood. Many of those original works are now a part of private collections in both Jamaica and Canada. Israel has since progressed into commissioned work, transposing his clients’ photographs of themselves, families and other loved ones (even their favourite cars!) into stunning works of art, many of which have reduced clients to tears when they are delivered.

 

When asked to describe himself, Israel quickly quips “I am a realist who is open to the several options life presents”; one look at his work and you will see how much this philosophy permeates his work. An eclectic blend of realism with a touch of impressionism and just a hint of the abstract, Israel looks to “nature”, “positivity” and “life” for inspiration.