<![CDATA[SAN QUENTIN DEATH ROW ARTISTS & WRITERS

<![CDATA[SAN QUENTIN DEATH ROW ARTISTS & WRITERS - Blog]]>Sat, 09 Aug 2025 00:33:27 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin - Expressing Thoughts and Feelings through Art & Poetry from San Quentin death row]]>Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:48:49 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/kenneth-nowlin-expressing-feelings-through-art-poetry-from-san-quentin-death-row

Kenneth Nowlin ("Thunder") Artist & Poet - death row San Quentin

Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin has been incarcerated on death row San Quentin since 2001 and is currently in the Infirmary where he has been experimenting with writing poetry on top of brightly painted coloured backgrounds. He also incorporates outlines of his hands and his finger prints. Thunder tells of how he "grew up in the system". Before being sentenced to death, he was incarcerated for six years in the CYA (Youth Prison). He was sentenced to death whilst serving time in prison for robbery. By his own self admission he used to be a racist, but he renounced his racist ways in 2011, and he completely cut ties with the gang he had been a part of. He shifted his focus to family and inner peace. Thunder now expresses himself through his writing and art and combines the two to create colourful emotional collages of his feelings. Raw and hard hitting you can read some of them below. The first poem "Suicide" was inspired by Jay Cole the Rapper, who stopped outside Thunder's cell and challenged him to write a rap and to step out of his comfort zone. Jay and Thunder spoke for about ten minutes whilst he was on a tour of the prison.

Suicide
A poem by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Suicide - by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Suicide
by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Suicide

Suicide is alive inside of me,
Telling me to leave my body behind me,
Step away from a world that hurts,
Step out into the Universe.

Sadistically twisted
some say I'm tripping
on their grave I'll be pissing
and they'll be wishing
that they never set eyes on me
cause even God despises me
ostracised by society
fuck them sheep
spoon fed lies and hypocrisies
and that is why

Suicide is alive inside of me
Telling me to leave my body behind me
Step out into the Universe
Step away from a world that hurts.

"Suicide is Alive Inside of me. Telling me to leave my body behind me. Step out into the Universe. Step out of a world that hurts" - Kenneth Nowlin

Full of Life
by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

"Full of Life" - by Kenneth Nowlin "Thunder"

Full of Life

What is in the future of our fate?
And who knows the answers to our questions?
Will every dreary day be the same ol same?
Full of mankind's deceptions and relentless, devilish receptions.
Must men always be full of folly? Cant he be true, just one time?
Why must he always lie, and why must the noble, and true, be the first to always die?
The Universe works in mysterious ways, but I know this, call upon it by name
and acknowledge its true power and there sits your God on his throne, hour upon hour.
There lies your heaven, in the vast universe, in the stars, where mankind can travel.
There just light years away from a find of significance, right now they're all baffled.
But here on earth we struggle, we strive to be better men than we are.
Even in prison we battle our own demons to be free of self-harm.
For we're our own worst enemies when it comes to that, but it's got to stop!
All it does is cause grief, bloodshed and ultimately death, and I'll end up somewhere hot,
most likely somewhere hot and Im not cool with that, so hear me now, demons be gone from me.
Demons beware, for Im far more than mere man. Im Thunder, and will defeat you at every turn if I can.
so be gone now, you devilish, despicable, little worms and just like that be free of em
by choosing to be, that's the power of free will, when the Universe backs your play.
For Im not ready to die. Im too full of life, full of wonderful glorious love.
And that my friends is all Ive got to say on this April day!

"For Im not ready to die. I'm too full of life, full of wonderful glorious love." - Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

For a while, Thunder was in the neighbouring cell to Charles Manson and Thunder says it was Charles who helped him turn his back on racism. He became good friends with Manson.

The Mirror
by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

The Mirror - by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

The Mirror

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?
Do you see the man you want to be,
Or do you see a tortured soul in custody to the dark side
And you're just counting down the days until you die?
Well this I have to say to you, stand on your own.
If you do and be true and be true and be beholden to no-one, you'll sit on your own throne.
You'll be Kind and run your own life with no demons or skeletons in your closet.
Your life will be so better and fresher and lighter.
So go forth my friends and your lives will be so much brighter.
Be strong, take no shit from no-one and hold your head up.
And remember, you wasn't lost, for good, you just needed a little tune up,
A reality check, but you're all good now.
Create a solid foundation.
Quit being fooled by others' pretty words and come to truth, with your own realisation.

"And remember, you wasn't lost, for good, you just needed a little tune up" - Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Discontent
by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Discontent - by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Discontent

My soul weeps tears of discontent
My body aches from breaks pain has lent
I never expected nor wished for life to settle up karma's scores
Treacherous deeds I've done indeed
Darkness entered my mind planted its seed
Blood I've spilt like child's milk entered this once gentle being.
Here I am with nothing to lose in this concrete steel room.
yet regret sets in for my vile whims, with myself it's hard to live.
What happened to the boy so full of joy who loved life and knew wrong from right?
What happened to the man who looks at his hands knowing he chose the wrong fight?
Is it too late to change my path.... and avoid guilty wrath?
A virus spreads leaving parts of me dead.
Oh how the fate of life have sealed me in misery's bath.

"What happened to the boy so full of joy who loved life and knew wrong from right?
What happened to the man who looks at his hands knowing he chose the wrong fight?" - Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

What is?
by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

What is? by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

What is?

What is?

What is death but another phase of life
And is it any worse than our daily strife?

What is life but tragic circumstances pre-ordained
Submitting ourselves to constant and unbearable pain.

What is joy but a simple yet unreachable hope
Catching glimpses like a telescope.

What is depression but an unwanted friend
With an endless supply of it to lend.

What is love but an illusion
Just a break from agony momentarily pacifying the sadness in me

What is happiness but an addicting and all consuming ideal
Always sacrificing for the precious moments you can steal.

What is it that helps us carry on?
Continuing the sadness of life's torturous song.

Is it the fact that some day someone will love me?
Or that misery loves company?

What is the meaning of life?
And do I have what it takes to survive?

WHAT IS?

It's the question of the unknown
Without an answer all we have it hope.

"What is joy but a simple yet unreachable hope - catching glimpses like a telescope." - Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

If you would like to purchase Thunder's work you can find it on our etsy site SanQuentinArt

]]><![CDATA["Voices from the Row" An exhibition of poetry and art from San Quentin's death row, held at the Poetry Society in London - July 2018]]>Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:00:32 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/voices-from-the-row-an-exhibition-of-poetry-and-art-from-san-quentins-death-row-held-at-the-poetry-society-in-london-july-2018Welcome to "Voices from the Row"
An Introduction by Steve Champion
incarcerated since 1982

Steve Champion (Adisa Kamara)

During July 2018 "Voices from the Row", an exhibition of poetry and artwork by prisoners incarcerated on death row San Quentin was held at the Poetry Café in London. It was visited by hundreds of people - and it went some way to prove that art and poetry can transcend prison walls.I hope you enjoy this "virtual exhibition".

When you scroll down, you will be able to listen to five poets who are residing on death row San Quentin, read their poetry:- (Alphonso Howard, Bill Clark, Carl Powell, Ojore McKinnon and Steve Champion). We feel that poetry is more powerful when read aloud so we wanted to try to make this happen. It did cause some challenges and difficulties though.For example, nerves come to the fore all of a sudden and so we recorded and re-recorded several times, and it can also be challenging trying to record when the automated GTL prison recorded voice interrupts at any given moment. What we ended up with though was some powerful poetry written by people despite the extreme conditions they are living in - and read aloud by them too. We hope you enjoy listening to the readings.

Please feel free to share. We want to "Voices from the Row"to reach as many people as possible. Please scroll down to listen to the poets read their work, and scroll through the slideshow to see some of the artwork.

Below is the poster from the "Voices from the Row Exhibition" which was held during the month of July 2018 and also the poster for the panel discussion about art and poetry in the criminal justice system, which was held on Friday 6th July 2018

Our first poet is Bill Clark. Below, he introduces himself and recites four of his poems. Simply click on the play button to hear them. You can also hear him read his poem " A Cell with no Bars" set to footage of San Quentin.

Poetry by
Bill Clark

Bill Clark - Introduction

"A Poem to my Children" - by Bill Clark

"Who Can I Turn to?" - by Bill Clark

"Pure Lust" - by Bill Clark

"These Eyes" - by Bill Clark

"The End of the Road" - by Bill Clark

Bill's Artwork - Political Cartoons

"Hypocrisy" by Bill Clark

"The Story of my Life" - by Bill Clark

"A Cell with no Bars" - read by Bill Clark

Our next poet is Alphonso Howard

There are four of Alphonso's poems below that you can listen to by clicking on the play button. Alphonso also creates some wonderful art and you can see some examples below.

Alphonso Howard

Alphonso Howard - Introduction and "Smiles"

"Just Visions" -by Alphonso Howard

"A Struggle in this Blackness" - by Alphonso Howard

"Vice" - by Alphonso Howard

"Brown Symphony Artwork" - by Alphonso Howard

Our next poet is Ojore McKinnon

There are four of Ojore's poems below that you can listen to by clicking on play. There is also the text as some of the recordings did not come out so well. Ojore also is an artist and you can see some of his artwork below.

Ojore McKinnon

"I Feel So Lonely" - by Ojore McKinnon

I Feel so Lonely (by Ojore McKinnon)

I feel so lonely
trapped in a cage surrounded by warehoused bodies.
Oh so lonely
as I eat meals alone, day after day, year after year.
So lonely
Amongst the volumes of words, yells, screams,banging and complaints.
I feel so lonely
when I stare into the late night darkness of my cement box.

I feel so lonely,
Not being able to be a father, uncle and son.
Oh so lonely
Knowing Im out of sight, out of mind.
So lonely
when I fail to hear my name during mail call.
I feel so lonely
having to console myself.

Every day I feel so lonely
Isolated in a death row cell.

Ojore McKinnon

"How I Feel" - by Ojore McKinnon

How I feel (by Ojore McKinnon)

Sun up high in the sky
I love that feel
Sea-gulls glide by
I wanna know how that feel
Sometime I wish I can fly
Even with my determination and wil
Barb-wire discourage any try
Im just keepin it real

Vultures in the sky –
Am I their next meal?
Gun-man up high
clutchin’ cold steel
Can you imagine how I feel?

Picture this in a pale
            A butterfly flutterin’ amongst this concrete and steel
Bringin a smile to a hardened male
he softens at the ideal.
Killers defending an insect’s life;
            becoming its sentinel and shield.
Decades ago they captured
            butterflies in a field.
Now they know how it feels.

Visits give me a high
that’s how I feel
Time flies by
with only hours to build
Never do I let them see me cry
though Im on an emotional reel
That’s how I feel.

Empathy is a delicate feel
from our experiences is how we feel.
Ojore McKinnon

"Where Poetry Lives" by Ojore McKinnon

Where Poetry Lives (by Ojore McKinnon)

Here Poetry lives.
Restricted to penal institutions.
Playing out as theatrical war-stories on mainlines.
And descriptive raw details of life on death row,
all the while contemplating lethal injection.
As secure brave expressions
from those in protective custody.

Here poetry lives.
Amongst the prison population.
Amongst those who escape between the lines.
Freeing their poetry from mental bondage
that it may find freedom
beyond the walls, fences, barb wires and bars,
that define the Department of Corrections.

Where does poetry live?
Inside the cells.
Germinating organically within
            the universal space of confined thoughts.
Stimulated by a confined existence.
The noise, the beat;
Conversations, the rhythm;
Conditions, the inspiration.

Poetry lives in the pens.
Formless in the pigment, that exit pen-fillers
            of the poets who need to document life.
Inking letters and compositions
            arranged to form words, sentences and prose
that were once invisible narrations
            conjured up within the vast imagination
            of prisoners.

Here poetry lives
behind enemy lines.
Where does poetry live?
In “The Belly of the Beast”.

Ojore McKinnon

"Vitamin C" - by Ojore McKinnon

Vitamin C

My mind is free
My body is caged
I seek serenity
And call for better days.

My spirit is strong
My physical is fit
This allows me to hold on
And reconcile the present as a gift.

My cage is isolation
My torment is daily
But my freedom is rooted in redemption
And your compassion helps me to get by daily

You are my daily recommended Vitamin C
That keeps me immune from a confined mentality.

Ojore McKinnon

Ojore McKinnon's artwork

Our next Poet is Steve Champion (Adisa Kamara)

Click on the play buttons below to hear Steve Champion (Adisa Kamara) read some of his poetry:-

"Pain" - by Steve Champion

"If there is...."

"I Sing" - by Steve Champion

The Ancestors - by Steve Champion

"Beyond The Walls" - read by Steve Champion

Steve Champion gave a recorded introduction to our panel discussion at the Poetry Café on 6th July 2018. You can hear his thoughts here about why artists on death row write and create:

Our next Poet is Carl Powell (Kwesi)

Carl Powell (Kwesi)

When Carl arrived on death row, he couldn't read or write. He can now read and write and enjoys writing poetry and essays. Of the poem below (Pillowed Tears) he says:-
"After losing my mother in 2005, this poem became my personal experience".

Pillowed Tears - by Carl Powell

Pillowed Tears – by Carl Powell

With tears, there’s smiles and laughter as I reflect on the jokes and stories you used to tell.
Whether between you and I, family, or my friends,
When you were on a comedic stage you couldn’t fail.

Growing up you nurtured and guided me through a very difficult time.
Pillowed tears,
When my emotions were all over the place, you kept me humble and gave me peace of mind.
Because of your fun and easy going ways you were a pleasure to be around,

You made people feel loved and appreciated.
In you, they realised a caring and loving friend they had found.

You always stayed who and the way you were effortlessly.
So genuine and consistent – regardless of what you were thinking or feeling.

Your selflessness, strength, and courage inspired me.
Now, you are missed, and you filled more voids than you would ever care to know.
You were my mother, father and friend – You healed during times of pain – encouraging me to move on, and grow…

Pillowed tears – though I’ve stood tall, my tears continue to fall,
I know you’re watching over me from the heavens, but nothing compares to
Hearing your angelic voice, and the peace I had after our calls.

Pillowed tears – I never wanted to say goodbye.
Thinking about what you mean to me, mean to us – the memories that make me laugh
Strong and brave are the same memories that put me to sleep – on my pillow, I cry…

Carl Powell
After losing my mother in 2005, this poem became my personal experience.

As well as poetry, there was artwork displayed at the Poetry Cafe by San Quentin death row inmates, for the whole month of July 2018. You can see some of it below.

Take a look at some of the wonderful art by the prisoners on San Quentin's death row

Thank you for visiting our "Voices from the Row" Exhibition. Please do post any comments and feedback below, as these will be passed on to the poets and artists. And if you would like to browse, or purchase any artwork, then do visit our etsy site https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SanQuentinArt
10% of proceeds goes to charity, and the remainder goes to the artists to help them to buy canteen, stamps or art materials.

If you have any queries at all or would like any information, please write to me at nicola.white@tidelineart.com.

Thank you.
Nicola White

]]><![CDATA[Poetry from Texas death row]]>Sat, 03 Mar 2018 19:08:09 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/poetry-from-texas-death-rowSteven LaWayne Nelson is incarerated on death row Texas. Here is a selection of his poetry:-

A LETTER
by Steven LayWayne Nelson

A letter slid under my cold steel door reminds me that I am not without friends.
How I have hungered for word from you.
I anticipated your letter, it warms and enlivens me and I take comfort in it.

I wonder what made you take that first step and write? What magnetic field first drew us

Together?
Destiny?
Fate?
Karma?
Predestination?

Recalling with a smile how cautious you were in the beginning
Asking questions…
How does it feel to live on death row?
What is solitary confinement like?
How do you stand the desolation?
What are your thoughts?

In the beginning you were a stranger, but somehow so familiar.
Your supportive words reminded me of who I am.
Seeing life’s simple beauty through your eyes moved me out of the darkness
You brought depth and breadth again to what being human is.

Our friendship was not a simple moment, but a cumulative process, it required time, demanded patience.
Reading your letter, for a few moments I am enveloped in the warmth of your words.

I discover the lack of boundaries.
And yet, I realize memory isn’t quite enough.
At day’s end
As I close my eyes and relax, I feel so insignificant, so helpless.

Yes, your letter reminded me that in your eyes I have worth and meaning
Your friendship is cherished, keeps me centered, gives me strength.
Yet in deep contemplation – holding a magnifying glass to this reality
I realize that in the end I walk this road alone.

by Steven LaWayne Nelson
Texas death row

DIVINE LOVE

Trust in the fact
I will never leave you nor turn my back on you.
Trust in the fact
Wherever you go or live, that I am with you.
Trust in the fact
I will always be loyal to our people of faith.
Trust in the fact
I wish to reside wherever you are.
Trust in the fact
In life and light we will never be separated.

by Steven LaWayne Nelson
Texas death row

BROKEN!!!

In all those around me I see
There is something that astounds me;
It is also there in the mirror,
That thing that links us together,
A genetic marker from earliest history
Belonging to the whole human family
I mourn it in myself
I pity it in all else
For every malicious and unkind deed
For every evil and hatefully planted seed
For every hurtful and mean word spoken
It’s all because we are broken
Shattered from a deep within
Inclined to every despicable sin;
We are hurt and longing for love
Yearning for healing from above
We direct our brokenness at each-other
Treating one-another as enemies not brothers
While our love leaks from within
Rooted in every manner of sin
Give pity and patience to one-another
Loving them as sister and brother
Remembering you are broken too
Treating others as you’d have them treat you.

by Steven LaWayne Nelson
Texas death row

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

A voice echoes in the dark
with no one to hear
trepidation in the voice
A real sense of fear
A man’s entombed as if dead
Placed on death row
An outcast of the world
With no empathy shown
a dead man in a casket
Even he gets a string
in case he comes alive
There’s a bell for him to ring
that man on death row
needs a bell to toll
His voice echoes in my heart
so this poetic string I pull.

by Steven LaWayne Nelson
Texas death row

]]><![CDATA[The poetry of Bill Clark - incarcerated on death row San Quentin]]>Sat, 03 Mar 2018 17:55:54 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/the-poetry-of-bill-clark-incarcerated-on-death-row-san-quentin Bill Clark has written many poems during his incarceration. Here are a few of them. More to follow. Listen to the audio below to hear Bill introduce himself and talk a little about his poetry.

A Cell with no bars
I can’t think of them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my focus, my perspective, my sense of reality.
I can’t acknowledge them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my compassion, my understanding, my sense of humanity.
I can’t endorse them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my courage, my will, my sense of direction.
I can’t accept them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my individuality, my purpose, my sense of productivity.
I can’t validate them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my morals, my principles, my sense of integrity.
I can’t regard them as bars…
If I do, I’ll lose my hopes, my dreams, my sense of being.
I can’t look at them as bars…
If I do, I’ve already lost!

Almost Dead

I don’t see the day you see,
The Day I see is bleak.
I see bars, well armed guards,
And things that make hearts weak.

I don’t see the sun that shines,
I don’t see the stars.
I see pain, misery,
And bodies etched with scars.

I don’t see the flowers grow,
I don’t see the trees.
I see doubt, hopelessness,
And lots of trembling knees.

I don’t see the rivers flowing.
I don’t see the streams.
I see waste, deficiency,
And men with shattered dreams.

I don’t see integrity,
I don’t see the truth.
I see men who’ve lost their mind,
And men who’ve lost their youth.

I don’t see the happiness,
I don’t see the pride.
I see doom, suffering,
And men whose souls have died.

I don’t see prosperity,
I don’t see the life,
I see strain, emptiness,
And faces creased with strife.

I don’t see the day you see,
Each day I see I dread.
Cause every time tomorrow comes,
I know I’m almost dead.
Bill Clark
PO box K-80703
San Quentin State Prison
CA 94974

Hope

Hope is our armour…
Through hope we gain might
It strengthens our heart
And wills us to fight

Hope is our shield…
It’s life’s greatest buffer
It wards off despair
And makes us all tougher.

Hope is our sword…
It cuts through depression
We wield it with vigour
And measured discretion.

Hope is our goblet…
We drink from its lip
We swallow huge gulps
And not just a sip.

Hope is our nectar…
It’s more than a notion.
It nurtures our being
Like a magical potion.

Hope is our feast…
Our ravenous passion.
We want a full platter
And not just a ration.

Hope is our light…
It brightens our road
Enhances our vision
Which lessens our load.

Hope is our future…
Mankind’s greatest need
Success is the flower
But hope is the seed.

Bill welcomes correspondence, and you can write to him at:-

Bill Clark
PO box K-80703
San Quentin State Prison
CA 94974

]]><![CDATA[Beautiful artwork from San Quentin death row, made up of thousands upon thousands of tiny dots]]>Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:41:48 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/beautiful-artwork-from-san-quentin-death-row-made-up-of-thousands-upon-thousands-of-tiny-dots"Spirit Crows" - by Keith Loker

"Keith Loker was sentenced to death in 1995 and is incarcerated on death row San Quentin. He is a talented artist, and he talks here about the painstaking process of "ink-stippling",which he uses in his art work to create beautiful pieces with great detail.

"Ink-stippling by hand is an art medium of precise dotting. As I sit hour after hour laying down individual dots it can induce a tediousness that I must be mindful of because in this process I cannot make a mistake since there is not a way to repair a missed placement of a single dot.

Each piece can take weeks into two months to complete due to the rest I must give mi fingers and wrist because this technique requires small precise movements from dot to dot which means I can only work each day for a certain amount of hours"

Tribute to Johannes Vermeer - The Milkmaid
ink-stippling, by Keith Loker

"What drew me to this style of artwork was how defined I could stipple a scene to completion giving the visual feeling of being a photograph. And photo-realism is what I am aiming to achieve in a sense to reconnect to the imaginatins and dreams I had in mi teens. And other pieces attempt to touch into mi thoughts and experiences of mi adult years as I mature and endure struggles inside here".

"As I sit hour after hour laying down individual dots it can induce a tediousness that I must be mindful of because in this process I cannot make a mistake".

Briefly, in closing...., I think that one reason I gravitated to this medium is the thoughtful control I must have with each step which can be contrasted to mi out of control and impulsive mind I was "functioning" in. I have had to learn to remind myself how to be thoughtful in mi art and in these years of life."

Ink-Stippling art pieces by Keith Loker

Keith Loker - Artist statement

"What you see here are mi attempts at artistically assembling some of mi own ideas and creations, and some images from photos of things and persons I find a connection to.

These completed scenes have been a way to physically finish something using mi hands, mind and time while locked in this 4 x 8 x 10 cell closet. I have no formal training in art and so each project becomes another learning curve.

I don't yet feel like I am at a high enough level of producing to call myself an artist. Yet, mi goal is to keep increasing the visual quality of the scenes i'm drawn to work on so hopefully and eventually mi creations will reflect the things and places I love and once was able to be a part of in a way that separates mi works from any other persons producing similar subjects". - Keith Loker, San Quentin death row

See more of Keith's work here

]]><![CDATA["Our Last Meals" - A San Quentin death row Cookbook - by Albert "Ru-Al" Jones]]>Sun, 07 Jan 2018 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/january-07th-2018San Quentin Death Row Cookbook
"Our Last Meals"

Albert Jones was sentenced to death in 1996 and is incarcerated on death row San Quentin. As well as creating some beautiful handkerchief art, he also has written & self published a cookery book, called "Our Last Meals". In the book several San Quentin death row inmates have provided their own personal recipes which they use when cooking for themselves and fellow inmates from their improvised kitchen in their cell. Here, Albert reminisces about his love of cooking which started when he was in junior school:-

"Watching Mama cook every day, that's when I knew I wanted to be a cook myself. So I got into Mrs Stacy's cooking class at my junior high school. She was surprised I was able to bake without any help. When I got to high school, my skills got even better. My teacher showed me things that I didn't know and I was getting good grades for the three years that I was there. I earned my gold seal cooking certificate when I became a certified cook at high school. When I got out I went looking for a cooking job at many of the upscale restaurants, but none of them would hire me. I got very upset so I stopped looking for a cooking job and got back into street life. Althouh my life of cooking for some prestigious restaurants had ended, I know my talent is being used in prison making delicious spreads".

Albert tells how he first started cooking in prison when he was at Los Angeles county jail:-

"My first time cooking in jail was at Los Angeles County Jail, where all the gangs from the Bloods neighbourhoods were housed. We had a major lockdown, and they punished us with this ugly, bad-smelling food called "juit balls". They were supposed to be all protein, red beans, with many kinds of vegetables all ground together then packed into a ball with no type of seasoning. It had a pungent smell and you definitely knew when it was time to eat when it came into the building. Once I got my first taste of them I couldn’t swallow one bite, neither could any of the other guys. I had to think if I wanted to eat at all because this would be our meal for the next three weeks. So I cleaned off the paint from the metal shelf and made a bong out of the toilet paper and this became our stove. I placed the juit balls on that hot shelf and cooked so all the grease from the meat came out. With that oil, we added some chopped beef sticks and some bbq corn nuts and we made a good meal out of something that no one could eat plain. That was the start of my cooking behind these walls…"

"I know that prison food is not meant to taste good. If I do eat it I still say a prayer because I know that I'm eating better than most people in third world countries. I might complain and rant about how nasty the food it, but we on death row still have it good, as far as food, so I say my prayers at every meal. If you dress the food up it's all good. If not, you got to stomach it. Because on paper it looks good, but once it gets into your cell, it's all on you. At that point, the state has done its part by providing two hot meals every day." - Albert "Ru-Al" Jones, San Quentin death row

"Here on the row we still try to celebrate all special occasions like birthdays, holidays and sporting events, which are big in here".

Here are a couple of examples of recipes from "Our Last Meals"

Ramen Fettucini (by Letner)
(dinner for 1)

Ingredients:
1 Ramen soup
1 pinch of salt
1 pad of butter
1 tbs oil
2oz parmesan cheese
1 pinch of garlic flakes

Preparations:-
Boil one cup of water, add unbroken ramen noodles with sale. When cooked, empty noodles into a bowl. Add butter, olive oil, and sprinkle parmesan cheese, stir until melted. Enjoy a real fettucini dish!
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Peanut butter milkshake - (by "Ru-Al")
(drink for 1)

Ingredients:
1 - 8oz glass of milk
2 tbs creamy peanut butter
1 small packet sugar

Preparations:-
Boil 1/2 cup water, pour into cup. Wrap peanut butter inside piece of plastic, tie tight, put into hot water until melted soft. Pour into cup of milk and add sugar. Place lid on cup, shake for 3-4 minutes until well mixed and slightly foamy on top. Enjoy my peanut butter milkshake.

Albert talks a little about sharing food in the prison:-

"Many things have changed over the years in here. We had to make many adjustments to our cooking and how we prepare these spreads. The guards were instructed not to pass the cooked food to the guys in cells down the tier anymore. So now we make it where it can fit into a plastic bag so it will slide under the cell door. Or if the guy is on the same tier and I'm going to the shower before him, I'm able to pack it good and place it in front of his cell door. When he comes out for his shower he can pick it up, put in his cell, and reheat to eat later. The guards usually wont touch the food but sometimes they will do a cursory check for contraband. For the guys living on other tiers, we have to put the food in a bag and attach it to a long fishing line so it can be fished to him. So the new rules haven't completely stopped us from trying to bring some peace of mind and happiness to a guy that doesn't have anything. It's okay to eat by yourself but there is nothing like the feeling of sharing with brothers less fortunate."

Albert also makes paints handkerchieves, creating colourful collages of his favourite bible verses on fabric.

Albert "Ru-Al" Jones handkerchief art

A word from Albert, on gratitude:-

"Mama always made sure that we said grace before we ate because "There are people that don't have any food to eat, so say a prayer or give thanks to the Lord and be grateful for what he has provided". I have not missed one meal in the twenty-one years I've been locked up, or in my life. I thank Mama for instilling those good values and the Lord for the blessings he's bestowed.

Lord, thank you for this food. Bless them that don't have anything to eat, and keep their stomachs humble until the Lord provides them nourishment. Lord, put this food in the right place in my body, in Jesus' holy name, amen. Jesus wept!".

My Last Meal

"I pray that it never happens to me, or any other person on death row, but the warden has to offer a person that is about to be executed what he wants for his last meal. Here at San Quentin death row you have a $50 budget to get anything you want, but you can't exceed that amount.

Since I 've been here there have been about six executions. Some got their last meals, and one guy wanted to donate his $50 but the warden wouldn't allow him.

I have given a lot of thought about what I wanted for my last meal. It would have to be very close to the favourite foods that Mama had cooked when I was growing up."

Albert "Ru-Al" Jones - San Quentin death row

You can purchase Albert's book here:

Purchase "Our Last Meals"

Albert has a "J" plan (Jesus Plan) and knows that this plan cannot go wrong even if things aren’t always good. Albert has a strong faith which he tries to share with as many people has possible.
Thank you for reading.

]]><![CDATA[Telling Stories through Chicano Art. The Vibrant Collages of Life - by a prisoner on San Quentin's death row]]>Sun, 07 Jan 2018 07:02:10 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/telling-stories-through-chicano-art-the-vibrant-collages-of-life-by-a-prisoner-on-san-quentins-death-row"Warning" - by Luis Maciel

"Warning" - by Luis Maciel

"One thing I learned in prison is that you must find a hobby. If not, you're doomed". says Luis Maciel, who was sentenced to death in 1998 and who is incarcerated on San Quentin's death row. "Listen, I love to draw. Art is my thing. I wake up thinking about art, I go to sleep thinking about my new project". Luis Maciel has been drawing for over 30 years. He started expressing himself through his drawings when he was in Youth Authority which is prison for youngsters

Luis creates Chicano Artwork, "artwork created by Americans of Mexican descent, Chicano art came out of the Chicano movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s and the art of struggle" read more here.

Luis has explained that creating his vibrant collages helps him to make sense of his environment. He uses pen and markers, and he can easily spend up to seven hours a day drawing. One drawing can take several weeks such is the detail – and it is all done freehand. “Art for me is an adventure in my personal life. Every drawing that I draw has so many stories to them”. Here are some of the drawings that Luis has created from his cell in San Quentin.

"The World is My Ghetto" - by Luis Maciel

The World is my Ghetto - by Luis Maciel

Luis explains the meaning of his artwork "The World is my Ghetto":

"This one I called "The World is my Ghetto". First you must know what a Ghetto is. It is a life of struggles and sadness with a lot of violence. But there is a part of the Ghetto that's good friends and family. We all try to remove the violence from our Ghettos but we succumb to the bad life. In this drawing I'm bringing the good in,and taking out the bad. Let's start with the front. In this life there is a male alpha and he represents everything. The two standing besides him are his protectors. In this case it will be my mother and father. We must always protect the woman from any bad influence. That is the duty of a brother. The two cars - the blue one with "City of Angels" on it, that is my car. We call in slang Los Angeles, "City of Angels". The other car was my friend's car. He had "Califas". Califas is slang for California. I hold this car in high regards since my friend was killed in the Ghetto. The woman on the stair rail represents hell. Since we cannot see any sunshine we are stuck in this life of "Hell". Im speaking since I'm behind bars, this place is hell. The girl on top of her, she has two women. The women represent her ears. The woman on her right is the good, the woman on her left is the bad one. On top of her head, she has a fuse. On top of her you have Minnie Mouse. She wants the girl coming out of the wall which is again Hell. She is hoping that she could touch her nose so that she could bring her to goodness. The face on top is what I call a true woman. She is a fighter and she represents all mothers out there that suffer for their loved ones. The woman that has her hand on her chest - her nails are being impaled in her skin. She bleeds roses since roses are the most beautiful thing in the world. Her nail goes through her skin where she gave life. That's why the man is holding the rose. The guy holding the pencil, that's my hand. I'm bringing in the life of good and bad, plus I'm using the ghetto ink where I'm shown the art. This is why I call my drawing "The World is my Ghetto".

"AZTLAN" - by Luis Maciel

AZTLAN

I dedicate this drawing to my family from my culture called "P E T A T L A N" which dates back many generations. Our culture was started by my 27 generation family. We were wanderers that travelled our land until our homestead was built by my true ancestors. We cherish our own beliefs in which I can say Im the 30s generation of this culture. Our homestead comes from our women who give life and who teach our young ones the basic concept of life. We believe every woman must be treated with loyalty and honour. Let this drawing find your own love ones where you can cherish them.

"Fire and Desire" - by Luis Maciel

"Fire and Desire"

Luis says of "Fire and Desire" - "This drawing reminds me of that song by Rick James and Tina Marie. I dedicate this drawing to all the beautiful women who find themselves working hard to support their family. Many women work many fields in society and we should be proud of our women. Mothers, sisters, aunties. Whoever you are and whatever your role is, I say you are my Rock and Roll Gangsters. Your true life is always treasured by your true loved ones. To all my Fire and Desire women - I honour you with this drawing".

"LOVED" - by Luis Maciel

"Loved"

Luis says this about "Loved" :-
Life has many obstacles and we are always trying to find that something that wakes our heart. If we do not find it, the reason is that have been moving too fast in life. Then when we do eventually find it, we do not know how to keep hold of it. Then we start finding other things that we believe is LOVE. So then we go through so many obstacles, that when we finally figure out that what we had was true love, we kick ourselves in the ass! Love can be found in almost anything but true love is hard to find. When you find it, get ahold of it, before you turn to "L O V E D".

"Wicked Ways" - by Luis Maciel

"Wicked Ways"

"Wicked Ways" - Luis says - "I was reading this magazine and I read this article about mad women. It was about women who cherish their lifestyle by partying and having lots of fun on the streets. So it just popped into my head - "Wicked Ways". Then I thought to myself, I have to draw this idea whilst it is fresh in my mind. That is when I woke up the drawing that was already done in my brain. The word "Quilmas" is slang from back in the 70s,and that is what they used to call San Quentin. Lots of my older homeboys back in my time had that tattoo on their back. They would sit there and tell us stories about San Quentin. Both of the women in the drawing has a name. One is "Demon", and the other is "Vixen"

"The Struggle" - by Luis Maciel

"The Struggle"

"I love to draw. Sometimes I just go on drawing for hours and hours"
Luis Maciel
San Quentin death row

]]><![CDATA["UNCHAINED ARTISTS" - EXHIBITION OF ART FROM US PRISONS & DEATH ROW SAN QUENTIN - 15th January to 15th March 2018, Mill Valley, California]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:33:51 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/unchained-artists-exhibition-of-art-from-us-prisons-death-row-san-quentin-15th-january-to-15th-march-2018-mill-valley-california
"Unchained Artists"
An art exhibition featuring artwork, poetry & various handcrafted art objects, created by inmates in prisons from around the USA & prisoners incarcerated on death row San Quentin.
15th January to 15th March 2018
Bank of Marin (Lobby)
19 Sunnyside Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Opening Reception : Thursday January 18th, 2018 - 6pm-8pm
Admission FREE

“UNCHAINED ARTISTS”: From January 15th –Friday March 15th, 2018, both P.A.T.H. and ArtReach are collaborating for the first time in a joint international exhibit to take place in the lobby of the Mill Valley branch of the Bank of Marin during their regular business hours (10am-6pm; Monday – Friday).

This unique and thought provoking public show will feature artwork, poetry and various handcrafted art objects - all created by inmates in prisons from around the USA (P.A.T.H.), and prisoners incarcerated on death row at San Quentin State Prison (ArtReach). Art on display will also be available for purchase.

P.A.T.H. (Prison Arts Touching Hearts) was founded by U.S. artist, Leslie Lakes in 2015. Created to give a voice and validation to incarcerated artists (including inmate writers and poets) – those in the shadows and largely hidden to the public eye – while providing them with a vehicle to give back to the community in a meaningful and powerful way – through their art! This is accomplished theme based fundraising art exhibits. “The Power of Art – To Transform Lives” “I see P.A.T.H as a triple winner: it offers HOPE and PURPOSE to incarcerated individuals; helps other worthwhile community causes through P.A.T.H.'s art fundraising efforts; and makes beautiful artwork available and affordable to the public. [Together], we provide beauty, compassion and joy.” - Leslie Lakes, Dir.

ArtReach was founded in 2015 by UK artist, Nicola White to provide a platform for prisoners on San Quentin’s death row to exhibit their art and creativity. This is achieved both online and in a variety of London based exhibit venues and complementary art discussions. ArtReach seeks to humanize the plight of prisoners sentenced to death through their art. ArtReach believes that art and poetry has the power and ability to transform thinking, consciousness, behavior and lives. In doing so, it also helps to connect and engage these same artists with the outside world. Says one San Quentin death row artist: “Art created in prison is an expression of hope, provides a focus and purpose, and helps those who have often not had the chance to express themselves, to do so in an acceptable way from behind prison walls”.

“Art is the journey of a free soul” – Alev Oguz
For more information please contact: Leslie Lakes, Director P.A.T.H. P.O. Box 1702 Mill Valley, CA 94942 Prisonartstouchinghearts@gmail.com
www.prisonartstouchinghearts.org
973-650-7931
A MarinLink 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Project ] Member

Nicola White, Director of ArtReach:
nicola.white@tidelineart.com
www.artofsanquentin.com

]]><![CDATA[Daniel Landry - On letting art take him away]]>Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:33:12 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/daniel-landry-on-discovering-that-art-can-be-a-way-out

Cranes Coming Home - by Daniel Landry

Daniel Landry has been on California's death row since 2001, but he has been living behind bars for 31 years. It was during that time he stumbled upon a gift, an artistic talent that he may never have known he possessed had he been a free man. Since that time, Daniel has drawn and painted countless pieces, and some have even survived! He says, "I hate most of them, at least at some point in the process, so I tear up a lot of things." Art has become an outlet for his moods and also one of the few ways, as an imprisoned man, he feels he can leave his mark on the world, or possibly a legacy. "Drawing, painting, doing my art is like a schizophrenic part of me. My mind is always coming up with ideas, things I want to try, and then I forget about 99% of them and just do what feels right at that moment. Sometimes I have to do it, draw, paint, something. I'll look over at something I started and see something I need to do to it or something I need to fix, but I'll try to watch tv or do something else. I try to leave it alone, but then I keep looking back at it and it'll drive me crazy until I do it. And then sometimes I can't stand to even think about it... But it's the thing I always go back to."

Daniel also tries out different styles, reads up and teaches himself new techniques. He says its a challenge to see if he can do landscapes, seascapes, portraits, etc. with pencil, with ink, with acrylic, and so on. He loves to mix mediums and see what happens, good or bad, and finds it is a way to stretch the look, the quality, the capabilities of the mediums he has available to him through San Quentin's hobby program. Its a productive way to focus his energy.

Daniel also enjoys art history and artist's biographies. Though it isn't formal education, he chooses to read about artistic movements and specific artists because they can also inspire him to branch out with his own work. But sometimes inspiration can be as simple as getting lost in an image from a magazine... Alaskan wilderness, underwater coral reef, the starry sky. And during times when emotions like frustration, irritation, or anger strike, creativity can flow just as freely. For example, after hearing about the prices people paid for certain Christopher Wool and Barnett Newman works, among some others, he was dumbfounded, but also driven to express his feelings on canvas. This led to his 3-part body canvas series.

The easiest and most common way prisoners interact with people outside of the stone walls is through writing letters. For someone who considers himself to have a block when it comes to writing, Daniel doesn't have a lot of options for reaching out, so, overall, he uses art to communicate with the outside world. Art is hope, art is an outlet, art is interaction, art is learning, changing, evolving. To Daniel, art is all of these things.

In January 2018, one of Daniel Landry’s artworks will be displayed in a central London art gallery as part of the FaceValue2 art exhibition curated by UK artist Gary Mansfield, who as an ex-convict, has spent time behind bars himself. The exhibition will consist of over 25 collaborative artworks by a variety of artists ranging from prominent to lesser known. The exhibition aims to show the effect that an outside influence can have on one’s identity, ranging from minimal to near devastating.

A few weeks ago, I spoke to Daniel and asked him about his art, what it means to him, and how art can provide a means to find a way out of depression.

Daniel Landry

When did you start to discover your artistic abilities?

“Purely by accident out of boredom. I’m not even really sure. I had a pen and a piece of paper and I saw a really cool picture in the National Geographic. It was a raven, so it was black and white and I decided to experiment with the ink, dots and lines and circles and then I settled on the circles and started creating just out of nowhere”

How did it make you feel when you saw the finished piece?

“Well even to this day most of the time I can’t stand it when I look at a finished piece, but then it all came together in the end and I thought - maybe I can draw a bit so I pursued it after that.”

Can art help cope with feelings of depression?

“If something is being done with the art, it helps. It helps if it brings something to someone else. It can help when I know it is being used for someone, or doing something good for someone.”

Daniel, you’ve created some wonderful pieces and I love the body canvas series. Tell me about them
"With these, it is is the first time I allowed myself to go outside of the “every line has to be perfect” – It was the first time I let my sense of humour, my emotions and feelings come out. It happened a lot quicker than it would have done normally when I was creating these pieces. The process was easier. I had thought about them for years but never really thought it would be easy, until one day I just basically sat on the canvas and thought that was pretty funny. It kind of works".

Body Canvas Series

Let me out of here!

Kiss my Ass

Yeah, Kiss my Ass!

Seriously, let me out

"The money paid for some modern art from elite art schools, I just didn’t get it, so being whimsical, I got a washcloth, put a bunch of paint on it, wiped it on my backside and sat on the canvas. I entitled it how it was and how I felt. "Kiss my Ass!". It was a true response to how I felt”.

"For the torso piece, 'Seriously, Let me Out', this is a print of my upper body. I did the chest first, then the face. Everything is the actual body part. Then I put it together – as if Im pressing against a shower window”.

Do you ever teach other inmates?
“I have had people ask me questions and if I know I will tell them, but I still consider myself a beginner and I don’t think I’m that good or that I really deserve to teach people. I think people need to find out for themselves. I discovered it on my own”.

What gives you ideas/inspires you?
"Sometimes it will just be a combination of colours. I see something in my mind’s eye that has to be done. When I meditate, images go through my head and then maybe as much as a year or two later I‘ll try to do something with them. Sometimes I have to do it immediately. Sometimes I throw it away as it doesn’t sit well. Sometimes I have as many as ten to twenty half done pieces of work. So I turn them to face the wall so I don’t have to look at them. I can leave a project for a year. It depends on the mood and everything coming together. I try not to go in with any set idea. Anything could happen at any time..."

What messages are you conveying in your art?
“What I do purposefully is I try not to overthink what im doing. I let it happen and if it has an impact… I want it to have an impact....I hate it here, I hate it – so I want the art to go out and do something. What that is and how that is I don’t know. I don’t think too much on it.

The Seeker

"Purrrffection"

Cosmic Love

Describe your creative process

I listen to classical music and can get lost in that. You get an image and couple that with your art. I can accidentally stumble on an image and from there, drawing takes on a life on its own. So yes, I paint listening to classical music or something instrumental. I get into it. Combining the two allows me to relax and to let the art go.

You mentioned a piece that you are working on which is related to a suicide attempt
"Yes it's called 'Is this the only way out?'. “The painting is like a bestial face full of terror and rage, holding up cut wrists with blood dripping from them. “All life is leaving him. I made a suicide attempt. I succeeded and my heart stopped and they bought me back which is kind of interesting for lack of a better word. I did take myself out but then here I am and it’s like 'Is this the only possible way out?'. And then you think maybe you have to move on and express it in other ways and instead of actually doing it you can do it in other ways through art. I thought life had to end, that life had to stop; let’s end it and see where it leads, and then you come back and ask yourself ‘well, maybe it’s not the only way out?’

Reflection of a Desire - Daniel Landry

"I have spent time in Alaska. The calm water and reflection – the soft vegetation and beautiful house. The combination of the human touch, as well as nature– I have always liked that peaceful scene"

“How do you feel about being involved in the FaceValue2 London art exhibition?
“I like the idea of it. It’s cool to be involved. I’ve never thought of someone touching my artwork. I have a problem with it myself at times.

Is there anything else you'd like to say about your art, about you, about Daniel?

“I just really want for it to go somewhere and for the art to take me out of here. Be able to do something outside of this place. I want the art to take me away, not the other way around. Im trying not to get too far ahead. I just draw and hopefully it will take me somewhere. Im willing to do whatever it takes and I hope something works. The next body piece I am working on will be realistic. I haven’t exactly figured it out yet, but somehow, I want the body to be donating itself and giving life to something else."

Thank you Daniel, for taking the time to talk to us.
Keep being creative and enjoy where your art takes you.

]]><![CDATA[First newsletter - of many more to come!]]>Sun, 30 Jul 2017 17:28:48 GMThttp://www.artofsanquentin.com/blog/first-newsletter-of-many-more-to-comeAs of July 2017, we are writing a quarterly (or thereabouts) newsletter with updates on the project for the inmates to read. The first issue is here, and if you'd like to stay updated too please click subscribe.

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Suicide​A poem by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Suicideby Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Full of Lifeby Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

The Mirror​by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

Discontent​by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin

What is?by Kenneth "Thunder" Nowlin