Bruce’s Gallery
Artist Bruce, 56
A carpenter by trade, I think of myself as a craftsman more than an artist but I do enjoy painting. I have a deep love of the ocean and all things nautical.
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.
Orienthal, 48
Meet Orienthal…
…I am human and I want to use my voice and story to bring about change. If you truly want to fight crime, then invest in your communities, especially the prison community.
Incarcerated: 18 years – a Buck Rogers date of 87 years to life.
I was named after OJ Simpson. We have all had our trials and tribulations here in prison. Currently, mine has taken me to a crisis bed. I can say my ‘actual innocence’ was taken from me as a black man being a victim to the system.
Monsters are not born, they are created. I want to earn my certification as a domestic violence counselor. How can a man heal without wise counsel? My logic – if men are a major part of the problem, then we must be part of the solution.
I want to provide mental health services and programs for men who are former domestic abusers. Most men are looking for a way out or asking for help. As a feminist, I believe it takes both partners to help stop domestic violence. A lot of men have been broken and are afraid or ashamed to talk about it. Men need support and services.
I want to earn my bachelor’s degree before I leave prison. I want to create a nonprofit organization to showcase talented men and women across the California prison system, in order for them to earn college degrees. The recidivism rate is lower for inmates with higher education. I want to change the narrative of child abuse, domestic abuse and murder.
I am human and I want to use my voice and story to bring about change. If you truly want to fight crime, then invest in your communities, especially the prison community. 📸
Anthony’s Gallery
Artist Anthony, 24
Wayne, 63
Meet Wayne…
…The difference of the last couple weeks is just crazy! I’m unloading on you because you’re the only one I’ve got. I’m working on a Tree of Life to share with you.
Incarcerated: 17 yrs
Yesterday, I saw my doctor who told me that my second surgery gave answers as to why I wasn’t healing from my first surgery. I have cancer.
I went in for a routine hemorrhoid surgery. Four months later I was still bleeding and the operation site hadn’t healed. I’d wake up in the morning and have to ‘bird-bath’ to wash the blood off me. I bled in the night and cleaned my boxers. Medical issued me mat coverings to keep the blood out of my sheets. I was hopeful it would end. But no. Month after month I’m still washing my boxers, when I wake, at noon, dinner time, and before bed. Everyday for the last four and a half months.
Finally, I was called back to medical and found out, what they cut out of me was a polyp, not a hemorrhoid. The reason I wasn’t healing is that this little piece of cancer was spreading. Now, there’s three masses on my liver. On top of that I fell-out on the way to chow. The doctors think it was a mini-stroke. But thankfully that’s how they found the masses on my liver.
We caught it early, I hope. I’ll know when I meet my cancer team at Marin General Hospital. Hopefully, the next round of testing will be contained to the colon and liver. The difference of the last couple of weeks is just crazy! I’m unloading on you because you’re the only one I’ve got. I’m working on a Tree of Life to share with you. I’m all over the place right now, kinda scatterbrained.
Me and the world aren’t on speaking terms….In my life I stopped getting personal mail, like yours when my mother passed away. I was gonna say five, six or seven years ago… I’m not really sure about time…. I have nothing to reference events to. Someone caring and believing what I’m saying stopped happening when I made it to prison.
Thank you Humans of San Quentin.