"Day to Day" - Tony carrera

The artist is currently incarcerated in California. He specializes in detailed black and white drawings.

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.

18" x 24" | Charcoal on toned paper

My name is Tony Carrera. I am sentenced to life without parole. I came in at 18 and I’m 30 now. Over the years art has allowed me to express myself while also being able to see others express themselves. References and inspiration can be scarce at times. You really have to dig deep. Old tattoo magazines are a version of Google Images. Prison art has been evolving just as street art has. The bar is set higher every time. Our fiercest competitor is often ourselves. Art within these walls influences us just as a fellow artist would influence his community. You can be praised one day and criticized to the point of quitting the next day. You can almost see what a person is feeling through their art be it joy, nostalgia, laziness, or even pain. I’ve worked with pencil most of the time and I discovered the depth in charcoal and dove right in. Ink on skin is my medium and canvas of choice. Yet, in here, we’re limited to what the customer wants. Basically, everyone wants the same shit. So, I strive to help people see past that. Art as in life consists of breaking out of that mold, of moving past that same shit and seeing more, feeling more, living more. Hopefully, with my art, I can not only break out of that mold myself but help others also..

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