"Weary soul" - Charles Reed Walters

The artist was previously incarcerated in Washington. He creates large, colorful and humorist paintings. He is also a talented tattoo artist.

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.

20" x 24" | Acrylic on Canvas

I’m 38 years old tattoo artist, originally from the small town of Seward, Alaska (although I’ve lived all over the Northwest and consider the whole region, my home.) I’m happily married to the most incredible, beautiful and supportive woman I have ever known (sorry, ladies). And, previous to a very unfortunate traffic stope that landed me in Washington State prison for 10 years, I was an equal partner in a high-end tattoo studio, in downtown Boise, Idaho, called The Shop @208. Tragic as this little setback may be, rest assured I’m not wasting my time here at the ‘fraternity”. Far from it, in fact. Instead, I’ve chosen to use this time as impromptu trip to art school. You know…minus the school…and campus…and professors…and students. I paint almost every day, and have even starter a program here at the prison through which my paintings are donated to various non-profit groups and charitable organizations around the greater Walla Walla area(i.e. The Humane Society, Hospice, The American Breast Cancer Society, YWCA, etc.…), where they are then auctioned off for whatever the cause may be. I realize it’s a small thing, but it still feels good to be able to give back to the community, from in here, what I can. If you’re interested, you can see some of my art I’ve created for this program on my Instagram page @vintage_youth_art. As much as I’d maybe like to, I don’t merely sit here painting all day though. I play guitar, write songs. Sketch, and even tattoo when I can (though the prison frowns upon it). I’ve also written an addiction memoir, called Busy Getting High, that I plan on publishing upon my release in 2023. On top of that, I’ve even earned myself a business degree in applied sciences through correspondence work. Like I said, I’m not wasting my time here. At the end of the day (also the beginning), art is everything to me. It’s my love, my passion, my ambition, my drive, my escape, my mountain top, my future, my career, and sanit. For me, art is life. Plain and simple. One might argue I have more artistry in my body than I do blood (although that person probably wouldn’t be a biologist). And while it kills me to be away from the world, away from my wife and family, and away from the tattoo industry on the whole, I’m going to return to all of those things as a stronger man, a better artist than I’ve ever been before. Which, I guess…in a strange sort of way, makes all this time worthwhile. .

@vintage_youth_art