Healing by Elsa Segura
Healing by Elsa Segura
The inspiration behind this piece is my healing journey. The heart is my soul, the center of all things. I have cleansed my heart through scripture and faith. The brain is my mind, full of knowledge and hope. The uterus is my body, my temple and the giver of life. The honey is my sweetness and the flowers my beauty. The bumblebee represents community, brightness and personal power. The monarch butterfly represents transformation, hope and new beginnings. The hummingbird represents challenging times are over and healing begins.
More Than an Inmate by Elsa Segura
More Than an Inmate by Elsa Segura
The inspiration for this piece is stating that I Am More Than An Inmate. I am more than a grey state-issued T-shirt we receive at intake. I am a strong Latina woman. I am a woman of God. I am a scholar, a graduate. I am a queen. I am evolving and growing. I am beautiful inside and out. The monarch butterfly represents transformation, hope and new beginnings. The bumblebee represents community, brightness and personal power. And regardless of my circumstances , I continue to shine. I am Elsa’s Shine.
Father’s Love by Ernesto Salinas
Father’s Love by Ernesto Salinas
This piece depicts a zombie hand holding a realistic love still pumping blood, to show that no matter what happens, a father’s love for their children never fades or dies. A father’s love never fades, never falters, never ends. A father’s love endures all storms and tragedies. A father’s love is forever fruitful and always growing. A father’s love endures all. No trial nor tribulation weakens this. Even in death it remains forever.
Fightin’ My Demons by Ernesto Salinas
Fightin’ My Demons by Ernesto Salinas
This piece depicts a person in a cemetery crouched down in front of a demon, still shining bright in the darkness he faces. Scared, broken and alone, one must stand up and fight his demons. Whether demon of violence, addiction or abuse, you must let your light shine bright in the darkness of adversity. Stand up with all your might and fight the demons in your life.
Beautiful Brokenness by J.D.
Beautiful Brokenness By J.D.
Living in a cage for many years surrounded by shadows dancing on the wall, designed to instill hopelessness. Just waiting to be set free and even though there is much weariness and sadness in my eyes I’m still able to catch the sun at its loveliest peak.
Wounded by J.D.
Wounded By J.D.
I have always been driven by a desire to find peace within. Recovering from a broken heart is never easy and the silence in the corners of my mind have become absolute and as I slowly return to my former state of immobility viewing the world with distrust.
Sk8ings Place by James Jemming
Sk8ings Place by James Jemming
I am a skater! I miss it, it’s something that I dream about. That was the inspiration. Looking up from the bottom of a pool and seeing myself with infinite space above me. I don’t really dream of the places I used to skate, it’s been so long. Now it’s more of a feeling and all the places I could skate.
Beyond Your Parameters by James Jemming
Beyond Your Parameters by James Jemming
A friend of mine said “We all have to define the parameters of our cage,” talking about no matter where you are in life, there are limitations. While part of me may agree with it, I just don’t like it! I would still like to believe that I can be anything I want!
Youth by J. Ives
Youth by J. Ives
To see the younger generation embracing and learning their culture inspires and invigorates me.
Granny “K” by Jennifer Gilman
Granny “K” by Jennifer Gilman
My grandma (Granny K) was the inspiration for my artwork. She passed away during my incarceration and I wanted to draw something in her honor because she was a central person to our family, who instilled in me love, kindness, hard work, strength and the importance of keeping family and God in my life.
Super Star by Jeremy Zimmermann
Super Star by Jeremy Zimmermann
It’s just a “feel good” message. When someone who is not confident in their worth, they can look at this art & realize that indeed they are a “super star.” I think that there is a star shining in each one of us and sometimes we need to be reminded of such.
FREE JZ by Jeremy Zimmermann
FREE JZ by Jeremy Zimmermann
MY FREEDOM: Because We the People are a democracy, we have the inherent right to fight for life, liberty and to pursue happiness... we should not be compelled to enforce these rights, rather, these rights are guaranteed pursuant to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill
of Rights and the Constitution. We are a government of the people, by the people and for the people...we believe in the principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
Fractured Self by Joseph Ringler
Fractured Self by Joseph Ringler
Conditioned by abuse, I see my fractured self reinforced by societal
beliefs, so much so that my identity is that which society has bestowed
upon me. In my frustrations, I try to draw a new card, a new lot in life,
yet I am forced back into a role that I do not want. This picture, through
my eyes, envisions my frustrations with mental health, societal roles,
my own sense of identity, because I am so much more. More than a Marine Corps veteran, more than my mental health disorders, more than a parent or a husband, and I want so much more out of life, yet here I sit being dealt the same, again and again.
Stronger Together by K.H.
Stronger Together by K.H.
My inspiration came from the strength of a thread, marvelous design, and colorful creation using a sewing machine.
Adventure by K.H.
Adventure by K.H.
I received my inspiration from nature, travel and my daughter’s fresh, innocent perspective of the world around her.
Me by Kayleene Greniger
Me by Kayleene Greniger
Despite what my life may have brought, all the choices and mistakes that I have made, I am simply myself, a flawed young woman who has made some bad choices and decisions. Prison will always be in my background, but it doesn’t define me.
Dakota 38 by Keith Hapana Crow
Dakota 38 by Keith Hapana Crow
Dakota Native American man, raised on the Lower Sioux Indian Community currently serving life sentence. Teepee represents the nomad lifestyle of Plains Native Americans Dakota-Sioux. Traditionally made out of buffalo hides, with nothing wasted of the buffalo. The four paintings, buffalo for honoring the buffalo, the prison bars dripping eagle feathers, the medicine wheel recognizes four races. The end of the trail invokes thought - is warrior dead or just out of trail? Genuine Native-American made.
Coda by Latrice A.D.
Coda by Latrice A.D.
Faith, insight, prayer and higher guidance. Literally had no intention of doing this one, but I guess it chose itself or something, lol. God is weird (in a good way). “Coda” depicts/ represents me, my trials and tribulations. Rose & thorns - me holding a lamb, at peace, face depicts my struggle, the adversity and oppression and continuous persecution I’ve faced throughout life. Figure behind me is a chariot with wings like Ezekiel’s vision (one wheel has “Elijah” on it.) Top left is Ratzon (Divine Will). The full moon coincides with tonight’s full moon; Sabbath - Torah passage Vayechi “And he lives” 800 represents leadership. And Coda means “The last / the end” of something.
Moving Forward by Mallory Kurth
Moving Forward by Mallory Kurth
Knowing that my life matters and that I have purpose and I have become mature enough in this life to take responsibility for my
own problems by forgiving those who have wronged me and by seeking forgiveness for my own sins. My identity is who I am moving forward and proof that my life matters.
Unity by Mallory Kurth
Unity by Mallory Kurth
I have been in and out of prison for many years. The only way I have been able to get through it is by gaining support of community, fading away through music and not allowing time to consume me. I am proud to identify as bisexual. I’ve learned to humble myself and I’ve found a sense of purpose in the LGBTQ community and my life matters.