"Vienna town hall" - Ashton Hugues

The artist is currently incarcerated in Iowa. She specializes in architectural 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.

8.5" x 11" | Pencil on thick drawing paper

My name is Ashton Hughes. I am 31 years old from good ol’ Iowa. I have been in prison for a little over 3 ½ years. I have always been into art. Aside from P.E. class, art was always my favorite. I have been drawing since I was young. I even entered artwork of mine in 4-H competitions. I think I received a blue ribbon for one of my drawings and another one for something I baked. I don’t understand the blue ribbon for my baking. I can’t cook or bake worth a shit. It was nice getting blue ribbons, regardless. I feel that encouraged me to keep drawing and see what else I could do. My family was super religious and I remember having this church book with cool pictures in it. I fell in love with a full-page picture of a lion with the reflection of Jesus in his eyes. I decided to draw it and I did. My mom was highly impressed by my talent. I was probably 12 at that time. The next drawing I remember was a portrait of Dale Earnhardt I did after he was killed in a NASCAR race. I impressed myself with that because faces are so hard to do! When I think of art, I think of talent, inspiration, and motivation. Art in all forms is amazing whether it is random or meaningful. I can’t seem to draw a damn thing from my imagination. I literally have to see something to draw it. Sometimes, I get things to look identical, just bigger and at other times a little different with my own twist to it. I have gotten so much better with my art being here in prison. A lot of that has to do with having the time and being sober. I have this amazing gift and I wasted it all these years running the streets. I know now how much my drawing helps me cope and relieve stress. Art allows an escape from reality. I get lost in my music and sketch away. Art to me also means new beginnings, memories, lessons learned, at least that’s what the tattoos on my body are to me. I can’t help but to think of how far I have come with my drawing. Not just the drawing, but the shading. I have become a f*cking beast! Although my story that brought me to prison is sad, I have to be thankful for the time to focus on me, who I am, what I can do, and persevere. I wish I could show you how my art has transformed over the yeas and how I have really been out of my element to challenge myself. My most recent boss ass drawings have been architecture wheich I’ve never done. The first one of a guard tower, skull, and broken pocket watch because sometimes we “do all day without a deadline”. I drew that for my best friend/ roommate. I couldn’t send that because it’s hers and it’s also two feet tall. The drawing I’m sending is a place in Austria. This really great guy I know was there and took a beautiful picture. It was one of my favorites so I drew it, and this is the masterpiece! Being chosen as one of the 150 winners of the Art for Redemption contest would be one of the most exciting moments in my adult life. I can’t imagine what that amount of success and accomplishment would feel like! If I don’t get chosen it will give me encouragement to try again next time. Thank you for taking the time to view my art and read these pages of rambles..

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