Meet Mark…

I was on the front lines moving incarcerated people into isolated housing when COVID hit us hard. Some of the guys I helped are no longer with us due to Covid. That makes me sad, yet, I honor their lives by staying strong and faithful to God, in Christ’s name. And gaining joy by giving back through my artwork.

After 37 years in prison, I’ve seen some horrible things. I am also a veteran of the United States Air Force and during my time in Vietnam (or Nam as we vets call it), I saw friendly fire and what happens when that occurs. But nothing could have prepared me for a pandemic (global wartime so to speak).  I can honestly say 2020 was a journey, I didn’t see coming. Covid made me truly believe in God again. There’s no way I could have made it through all these years, and then Covid without him. Though I was infected and suffered some symptoms such as chills, headaches, body aches; my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ moved me to a place of peace, the world will not understand. As I have used the tools of non-violent communication and faith in God, I have emerged on the other side, so to speak. Not only that, but the gift of art from God has additionally given me the armor spoken of in scripture. One more thing, as an Inmate Disability Assist Program (IDAP) worker, I was on the front lines moving incarcerated people into isolated housing when COVID hit us hard. Some of the guys I helped are no longer with us due to Covid. That makes me sad, yet, I honor their lives by staying strong and faithful to God, in Christ’s name. And gaining joy by giving back through my artwork.