"Rag" - Emery Reed

The artist is currently incarcerated in West Virginia. He specializes in black & white doodles.

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.

7" x 9" | Pencil on paper

I saw the ad for sending artwork from prisoners. Now I’m not the best artisan, but I love to draw and tattoo. Now I’m in a really rough place, we do not get to order much, if any at all, from the “Blick Book”, so we make do with what we have and can share! Just like they say, when you get “lemons”, you make “lemonade”! I’m not sure that the outside world really knows what the tattoo artisan goes through to perform his or her craft while in the prison setting. From fear of going to (SHU) Special Housing Unit - “The Hole” to finding the tools that are needed. From using a single staple to building a water machine. And the end work is some of the best! Some of the best work I have been given the honor of seeing has come from those working in the prison systems. We use what we can to enjoy what we love, thank you for the love and the support..

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