"LA Sucks" - Ryan Austin Lee

The artist was previously incarcerated in Colorado. He specializes in colorful, story-telling mixed media paintings. Contemporary western genre.

All original artworks are created by artists previously or currently incarcerated. They use whichever materials they have access to, and prove creative ingenuity beyond the norm. These original paintings and drawings are born in the heart of a prison cell, from the hands of an outsider artist to adorn the walls of your space. Each art piece is a one-of-a-kind that not only enhances your interior but also makes you actively participate in reforming the prison and criminal justice system.

The incarcerated artist receives 50% of the sales proceeds. The artists set their own prices based on the costs of materials (it can vary greatly from one facility to another), the time spent on the piece, their experience, and simply - what they think it’s worth. Alongside with offering a financial outlet, we aim to empower their confidence and reinstitute their status as human beings - not a number behind bars. For most, art is an escape, a path to self-discovery and healing. Through art, they can reconnect with society so the gap is not so unbridgeable when they get out. Through the sales, they can stay connected with their families, afford daily commissary items, pay societal debts, relieve the economic burden on their loved ones, and save up for the release date. So they have the financial means to get ahead of reinsertion and get a fair chance at that second chance.

24" x 36" | Mixed Media

From the land and history of the Western United States and the people who live it. I try to portray the Old West crashing with the current day Western USA. My Art is a Western story. I work on several pieces at once. My paintings are never done in a sitting or in a specific time frame. All of my art is shuffled through, put away, painted over, pulled out, thrown at the wall and thought on…until eventually I complete a piece. My medium is Americana or Contemporary Western..

https://www.ryanaustinlee.com/