🔥 Antique Mid Century Black African American Modern Oil Painting - Doris Akers

Description

This is a wonderful and very well done Antique Mid Century Black African American Modern oil painting on canvas, by renowned and legendary Gospel singer and composer, Doris Akers (1923 - 1995.) This work depicts a dignified and well dressed African American man, possibly a minister. Signed “Doris Akers” in the bottom right of the painting. Some edge wear and light scuffing due to age and storage (please see photos.) Approximately 16 x 20 inches. Her paintings are very rare to come by, and seldom are available for sale. Please check my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!
About the Artist:
Doris Akers
Doris Akers was born on May 21st, 1923. She was a Black gospel composer and vocalist.
Born in Brookfield, Missouri, she she began her musical career at a young age. She was playing piano at age six, and her first song, "Keep the Fires Burning in Me," was written when she was ten. While in school she formed her own moving to Los Angeles in the 1940s, she performed with the Sally Martin Singers and later organized her own gospel group, the Doris Akers Singers.
Akers is probably best known for composing the songs, “Sweet, Sweet Spirit,” “Sweet Jesus,” and “I Cannot Fail the Lord." But she had multiple talents and was also a recording artist, music arranger, and choir director. Akers founded and directed the Sky Pilot Choir and co-wrote “Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain” with her long-time friend, Mahalia Jackson. Akers, who died in 1995, had received many awards, including being honored by the Smithsonian Institute, which labeled her songs and records “National Treasures."
Her songs have circled the globe, aiding Christians of all nationalities in their worship of the heavenly Father.  Doris Akers passed away on July 26, 1995, in Minneapolis.