It was during Covid in 2020 when I was gifted a set of water color paints, brushes and paper by the Place 4 Grace organization to create art for my children due to the fact visits were cancelled and phone calls were limited. That is when I discovered the absolute magic of painting.
At first, I was not very good. But I discovered how painting offered a fun and fantastical escape from the dreary reality of the life without parole sentence I have. It brought color to a colorless environment. It brought light into the dark.
Now, I have developed a passion to create art that inspires emotion and life. My love for painting has inspired me to create a book using my art to depict my life story. A hybrid book using symbolism to express my story and insight into how I ended up here, how I developed a distorted view of the world, and how my addiction ruin my life and so many other.
Everything will come around full circle and my art will express how I have become the polar opposite who I was prior to my incarceration. Today I am an Occupational mentor certification program on alcohol and drug counselor. I am a loving dad and family man. Today I have purpose and hope.
My purpose is to use my story to assist others in bringing about their change. I have hope of a brighter future and earning my freedom back.
My message to anyone who reads this: “Be ready for when your blessing comes, because eventually they will come but will they be ready?”
With love and peace
To see more of my art visit the Instagram my family runs for me: art from the __inside.
