I had originally created a painting titled Survivor Flower out of my desire to give a friend some comfort during her ongoing bout with cancer. I connected with her sense of helplessness against an unseen enemy. This painting was created for another survivor. “Rosie The Riveter” represents a universal sign of strength to a lot of women I know. I also wanted to depict this strength throughout the many cultures, classes and colors of women.
Making art to heal wasn't enough for me. I needed to make a connection with the people I wanted to help, so I chose to paint in composites. To deliver my final brush stroke, I needed my community to engage in my craft with me. Together we would unpack it and put the pieces together as best we could. That's all any good and decent society can offer its citizens. Despite my convict status, I still consider free people, my brothers and sisters. My desire to show up for them is driven by my eternal search for a deeper meaning of redemption than reality can offer. One benefit of being an artist is the ability to create what was first just an idea in my mind. I spent a lot of time in prison learning how to get over, under, and around barriers. Coming to the aid of a hurting friend is perhaps the strongest reason why I endorse this act of resistance.
