Paul’s Gallery

Artist Paul, 64

I first began oil painting in 1978, shortly after I was discharged from the army at the end of 1977. I then took a couple of classes at Fullerton Community College. My painting instructor told me to paint whatever I felt like painting, however I felt like painting it. I was hooked. Then I met a girl, fell in love and was persuaded to leave painting behind. I was told by my new In-laws “No one makes a living painting.” So I worked in sales and left painting behind. Many years later, in 2010, I attended a painting class at San Quentin, taught by Patrick Maloney. I discovered that my life wasn’t quite over. Pat had the same teaching philosophy as my first instructor. For me, it clicked. Since I do not have the benefit of viewing things in the real world then painting them, I rely on my imagination. Sometimes I use photo references to guide me. I have painted recreations of some of the great masters: Vermeer, Monet, Marguerite and others. I change them slightly to make them my own interpretation. I am ashamed to be known as a convicted murderer who paints. That’s why I don’t promote my work. But beauty often grows out of ugliness.

Enjoy Paul's Story

Anthony’s Gallery

Art from Inside

Artist Anthony, 24

Enjoy Antony's Story

Jorge’s Gallery

Art from Inside

Artist Jorge, 37

WHAT GOT YOU INTO ART?
Everything started in Juvenile Hall when I was arrested at age 16. I was not good at reading and writing, not even in Spanish, and I was lacking in education. I remember I had a stock of letters from my mom in Spanish and I felt so bad I couldn’t read them. I got past my pride and asked the staff to help me read them. She started crying, and I didn’t know how to react. I thought I did something wrong. She told me she would teach me to read and write, that I should have told her a long time ago, but I was prideful and I didn’t want people to know. I let my mom know, and she looked at me with a blank stare, like she thought I did know how to read and write in Spanish, at least. She just couldn’t believe it. She told me to do her a favor, though, “If you can draw me a happy face if you are happy or a sad face if you are sad and send me that in the mail. So I know you’re ok. That’s how it all started, by doing small things for her. My mom inspired me to draw and all I wanted to do is keep her happy. As long as it put a smile on her face, I was willing to do it. In the drawing with the mask baby I use crayons and mainly charcoal. I love charcoal – most of my drawings are in charcoal. I drew that as a message for people to get vaccinated, don’t be selfish, the next generation is going to be taking care of the aftermath. I understand people have their reasons, everybody has the right to do what they want, but I think it is the right thing to do.

Lamavis (Shorty), 53

Art from Inside

Meet Shorty…

…My first piece of art was a card that I sent to my mother as a Mother’s Day Gift. She asked where I got the artwork and I told her that I drew it. She said, “Do more of that!” and my art career was born.”

Incarcerated: 27 years

The anger from my daughter’s passing led me down a path of destruction. To that end, my name means ‘to come into my chains, I will rise again.’ He told me that it wasn’t until I found myself living in these walls, that I would be able to quit my suffering. I would have to look at myself and realize that I can’t be mad at someone else for something I couldn’t control. I saw the direct and indirect effects of my actions on other people and I didn’t want my anger to control me. I hope you learn how to take control of your anger and rage. My self reflection gave me a deeper segway into myself. My artwork began after my self discovery. My art is the knowledge of the gift that God gives me. When I am painting it is as close to meditation and prayer as I can get. My first piece of art was a card that I sent to my mother as a Mother’s Day Gift. She asked where I got the artwork and I told her that I drew it. She said, “Do more of that!” and my art career was born. I’d like to give credit to my instructors and the guys in here. They were my educators. They taught me about how to see, and now I can’t unsee. Before I came to prison, I was a womanizer. So, there will probably be some women shocked to hear about the person I’ve become. To them, I apologize.

Scott’s Gallery

Art from Inside

Artist Scott, 51…

I started drawing in the county jail in 1996 to help maintain some sanity. I found that drawing allowed me to manage what I was thinking about. I would focus more on the image and less on my predicament and isolation as I ended up spending 2 years in jail before ultimately being found guilty of Second-Degree Murder.

Between 1998 and 2004, while in prison, I taught myself to draw, portraits for the other incarcerated men. When I got here to SQ in 2004, I was able to shift to painting through the Arts in Corrections program. While in this program I would meet Mr. Patrick Maloney who taught me to see art as a tool for problem-solving and how doing so would allow me to express myself in a positive way, giving me a voice and helping me give back to society and my community.

Through Arts in Corrections I started a mural crew that beautified the very walls that confined us, bringing a positive to what the incarcerated perceived as a negative.

Looking back at who I was before art I see an angry, fractured and intense person needing attention, to be heard and to be noticed. For me, art encompasses these feelings in a way that does not hurt people but transforms the experience for both the artist and the viewer and enhances our lives instead of damaging them. Making art was the beginning of my rehabilitation and the introduction to who I have become.

Erick’s Gallery

Art from Inside

Artist Erick, 36

I first started with art when I was in jail to send to my friends and family. I eventually met other people that drew, who made their own tools, and were way better. They motivated me to improve. I had a knack for drawing before I was incarcerated, but it took off like a rocket being in here. My inspirations surrounding my art came from my environment, sketching, listening to music, watching TV shows, looking at tattoo magazines, art books and other people’s artwork. I also gain inspiration from thinking of certain words. Overall, an idea pops into my head and I write it down to draw upon later or sketch it immediately, then refine it later. The reason why I submitted my artwork is to send good vibrations into the world so people who see my artwork can hopefully feel my emotions, happiness, euphoria, laughter and wonder. Also, I wanted to bring awareness to incarcerated people to show we are capable of doing good and that we are people still; wanting to earn our way home.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my story.