Art Is Not A Crime.

      In November 2010 I began an 18 month sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth, Minnesota.  I've never had any kind of criminal record or even been in trouble with the law before so this was a complete eye opening experience for me and I was pretty bummed to say the least.  

     Once I became acclimated to the routine of camp life I discovered the hobby/crafts building and soon became friends with the guys in the painting program.  After some time I was able to join the program with a little help from the guys and eventually began work on the very first painting of my stay: Dance Dance Dance!

Dance Dance Dance! - Acrylic on canvas panel.

     There happened to be eight guys in the painting program at that time and almost all of them were using oils. One guy in particular asked me if I would show him some techniques using acrylics, I told him I would and quickly put in an order for the materials through Dick Blick.  Funny thing was, I waited almost a month and a half before receiving the order.  The gears of bureaucracy move pretty slowly in prison(this is the Federal government we're talking about) so I was quite pleased once my supplies eventually arrived.

Untitled(Expression) - Oil on canvas.

     Not sure if people care or even know but there are things that seem quite messed up within the prison system, just listen to anyone that has been there or are there now.  I'm not saying criminals should have it nice and easy but I feel that plenty of taxpayer money is being wasted plus I don't think anyones very happy, especially the ones who run such places(I heard one of the officers at the camp in Duluth committed suicide a few months after I left).

Andy Warhol Corrupted - Oil on canvas.

      Though no one desires to be locked up, with perks like having very little access to much, inmates adapt to life there making do with what they have and what they can get a hold of.  Of course I was happy to be able to draw and paint and when people found out about it there was an instant demand for portraits, tattoo designs and even logos(I did a few of these during my stay!).  It's definitely a great way to barter for things you may want or need!

Mr. Bob Dylan - Oil on canvas.

     In November 2011 I was to go back to Minneapolis for a three month stay in a halfway house so a month before my departure I decided to start one last painting, a portrait of Bob Dylan done from a black and white photo I clipped from a Rolling Stone magazine a friend had.  At first I hadn't a clue as to what I was going to do for the color palette but eventually I settled into one that I had never before tried; a rainbow effect for the skin and hair.  I also worked to keep the brush strokes loose but this went out the door after the very first day of painting.  The painting took a little more than a week to complete even though I could've kept going, adding more details but I had to call it quits so I could send it home before I left Duluth.  This is a small tribute to a great singer/songwriter/musician/artist painted during my stay in the place of his birth(the actual location of the prison is in a town right outside of Duluth).

Al(left) & Me in front of his painting ca. 2011

I have to admit, though I do not miss prison, I do miss the time spent with these guys discussing art and working on paintings together.

This article is dedicated to them...keep painting fellas!

- CJH