Ben’s Gallery
Artist Ben
Kit’s Gallery
Artist Kit
I began painting with acrylics and oils on the “Honor Yard,” a facility at California State Prison, Los Angeles County. I usually approach most paint projects by first learning the required size of the canvas. When I saw the 6”x6” mini stretched canvas, I was tickled to the core of my being, thinking it was some type of joke! I’ve never painted on such a small surface like this before and I thought, “NO BIG DEAL!” Well, trying to paint on a tiny canvas was a lot more challenging than I arrogantly thought. I literally sat there for hours trying to conjure up various ideas, but to no avail. So, as I slowly sipped on a hot tea, “chillaxing,” I asked the mini-size canvases, “YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU DESIRE TO BE!?” And out of the blue, I telepathically received a selfie from Da Paco Tica showing off its cool smile. Then a patriotic eagle with its glamorous profile followed by a Lonerwolf and a cool fox. Thank you Lord for the wisdom of the fox; had I continued on the destructive path of an angry wolf, I would have never discovered the narrow path which leads me home – FREEDOM!!! I was found suitable for parole on July 8, 2022. In closing, the portraits of J. Lo and Ariana Grande represent what I truly love and enjoy about painting and also what inspires me most – the feminine beauty and their divine aura ni the colors of hope and love ❤️ Kit’s paintings will be available for sale soon – keep an eye out or drop by our office to view them!
Shelley’s Gallery
Artist Shelley
A Place of Peace
I hope I inspire love, hope, joy, and peace.
Shelley, 48
Incarcerated: 36 years
Housed: San Quentin State Prison
I was born in 1974, in Los Angeles. I was raised by my single mom, Wanda Holloway. I spent most of his life incarcerated as a juvenile. I took all my anger and frustration out on drawing and painting when I was young. I had an unstable childhood built on violence, abuse, PTSD and lack of education. It led me to a recurring situation of being damned by incarceration since I was 12. I haven’t spent a year out in society. I started educating myself and took off. I joined Arts in Correction and started painting small murals on a prison wall in Lancaster State Prison. Struggling with the fact of having to serve 36 yrs to life, I found myself getting my GED. I continued to strive for a better future.
Robert’s Gallery
Artist Robert, 45
Robert, 45
Incarcerated: 26 years
Robert’s three paintings above will be for sale along with 41 pieces painted by people inside SQ. 👀for our auction. If you can, please stop by our office to see them in person!
Artwork descriptions:
Hope Nots (Heart Strings)
I believe when someone gives you their heart, there’s a connection that time and distance can not separate. In my “Hope Nots’ ‘ painting I made that connection visible with string. This painting reminds me of how much I miss Holland.
Giraffe (Stand Tall)
The Dirty Heads have a song called “Stand Tall”. It’s one of my favorites and got stuck in my head while I was sketching the giraffe.
64 Impala (Sunset)
What’s my motivation? Someday I’ll be out there sitting on the hood of a 64 watching a beautiful sunset…… right after I learn how to drive.
George’s Gallery
Artist George, 76
George, 76
Incarcerated: 21 years
We had just completed servicing our work orders and taking advantage of our down time, we produced a hit of window pane acid. I’d been around drugs most of my life, but had never tried acid. We headed to my third tier cell, and having divided the sheet of acid, we stepped out on the tier, waiting for the drug to kick in, not knowing what to expect. We noticed there was a commotion brewing on the second tier across from us. There was a new officer panicking and not knowing what to do. He ran to the front desk seeking help. There was a Mexican dude hanging from his cell’s vent still kicking. A small crowd had formed and saw that he was dead or dying. A few went into his cell and removed his belongings, clothing, shoes, canteen and family photos – I couldn’t understand ~ why did they steal his photos. I guess my sorrow over shadowed my acid high because this was the first suicide I had to witness. To add more misery to that day, there was an incident which set off an alarm. Two guys were racing across the yard, one with a knife or shank in his back, and the other chasing him, attempting to retrieve his knife. After the incident, I decided it was time to turn my tools in and lock myself in my cell for we had our own individual key to our cell. That was 1969, I was housed in Soledad Prison in California. Both incidents have stayed locked in my mind for 50 plus years. Today at 76, I have seen enough darkness. I know this darkness can only be dissipated by the light of truth and love.
George has donated two pieces of artwork, to our cause to raise funds, and here is his description:
The bodysuit was a concept I saw almost fifty years ago.
Faces: I gain inspiration from other artists and events that I use as a theme. This one involves human nature and the conflicts we experience, such as the anguish we endure after receiving a lengthy denial from the parole board. My father was an artist who worked with oil, and although I’ve worked using all mediums, I prefer pastels.
Both of George’s paintings will be for sale, look for our auction and please stop by our office to see them in person!