Alvin “Al” Brown Jr. may be best known as the longtime boxing instructor for Indiana Black Expo (IBE). However, he has found new success as a visual artist and author.
Brown’s art has been showcased in venues across Indianapolis, and in December he released his latest children’s book, “The Best of The Day is When Dad Comes Home.”
“That was my Christmas present,” Brown said.
He is best known for producing contemporary, abstract and still life paintings as well as homespun children’s books.
Brown’s work is inspired mostly by everyday situations that he turns into extraordinary art. He uses real life scenarios that many people can relate to.
Brown’s first book, “The Life Story of Halle and Lujha” is about twins who navigate the fun and challenges of their teenage years. Their names together, said Brown, spell the word hallelujah.
The Best Time of the Day is When Dad Comes Home is about a young boy who has a turtle named Tarjanna and “lights up like a tree” when his father comes home. It is a book that was inspired by Brown’s son, who has shared his love for boxing.
“He used to be at home waiting for me so I could take him to the boxing gym,” Brown said.
Brown’s son once told him that he wanted to be like the famous boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, which motivated Brown to work on his upcoming illustrated book, “Daddy I Want to Be Like Muhammad Ali,” which is scheduled for a summer release.
It is also based on the ties that both Ali and Brown have to the city of Louisville, Kentucky.
“We came from the same school and the same gymnasium,” said Brown, who once named IBE’s boxing tournament after Ali.
Although originally from Louisville, Brown lived in Indianapolis, where he ran IBE’s boxing program for several years when the organization was led by longtime president, Rev. Charles Williams.
Brown later moved to Atlanta with his wife, where he was inspired to become an artist and author. It did not take long for him to become popular on the Atlanta arts scene.
However, Brown’s wife is a native of Indianapolis, and when her father passed away she wanted to move back to the city to be close to her mother. Brown wholeheartedly supported the move, although it was difficult for him at first because he had successfully established himself in Atlanta.
“I was really getting around town,” Brown said. “But I’m a relationship person and I believe love is a two-way street. She did it (moved) for me, so I had to do it for her. That’s the bottom line.”
Brown has been back in Indianapolis for seven years and is now ready to get his work known here.
“I just want to give a contribution to our society in the form of what I do,” Brown said.
