Restoring hope Returning home
- Schmidt Artist Lofts 900 7th Street West Saint Paul, MN, 55102 United States (map)
Restoring hope Returning home
Art From the Inside gives a visual voice to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists through engaging, community-centered exhibitions of their art.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support our Artists on the Outside at the St. Paul Art Crawl. Explore the unique perspectives and experiences of these artists as they express themselves through their work.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, Oct 4 from 6-9pm, Saturday Oct 5 from 12 to 7pm, Sunday Oct 6 from 12-5pm
Time: (see times above)
Venue: Schmidt Artist Lofts / 900 7th Street West / Saint Paul, MN 55102
18 x 14 / 21 x 17 framed (sold separately)
100% of proceeds to be donated to AFTI
Medium: Ink and Watercolor
I painted the face of Christ on a day when I felt alone and without hope.
Carl G. Jung's art-making and ideologies were an impressive lifelong affair that relied upon mixed media, making it reasonable for us to consider Jung the father of art therapy. Edward Adamson is also considered the father of art therapy in Britain.
Both advocated for the use of Art as a form of recovery from mental illness. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses Art for communication and self-expression. The idea is that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem and self-awareness. It gives a voice to the inner self that has struggled to be understood. It became a neural pathway to have conversations with the pain of PTSD that I've struggled with for years. It became my peace.Art therapy can treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder. Beyond mental disorders, Art can soothe physical pain symptoms, enhance the quality of life among adult and children cancer patients, and improve the ability to cope with pain and other distressing symptoms.
Art has become my place of Peace.
19 x 22
Medium: pen and ink, watercolor
"I am the boat that has never seemed to be able to stay afloat; or I should say I was. Was because life has changed. I was taken apart, disassembled by life; I was broken. Identity was a scrambled mess of all the good, bad and horror the world dumped on me; I was the result of trauma and functioned behind masks. Masks fashioned to fit other people's narratives of who they wanted me to be. Sadly, those many masks failed me. Then I failed. I fell but I would not stay down. Someone saw, witnessed and expressed their vision of the me I could not see. Would not see. I decided to trust their perspective. I began to grow; I began to see me. Now, IDENTITY to me is the sum of the whole we choose to embrace. I now embrace God, Christ, The Spirit, Love, Peace, Respect, Trust, Truth, Vulnerability, Courage, Honor, Others, Hope, Self-Worth, and I embrace Faith. Most important, I embrace by all this the Right Man God gave me Purpose to be."
22 x 26
Medium: pen and ink, colored pencils - framed
"I am the boat that has never seemed to be able to stay afloat; or I should say I was. Was because life has changed. I was taken apart, disassembled by life; I was broken. Identity was a scrambled mess of all the good, bad and horror the world dumped on me; I was the result of trauma and functioned behind masks. Masks fashioned to fit other people's narratives of who they wanted me to be. Sadly, those many masks failed me. Then I failed. I fell but I would not stay down. Someone saw, witnessed and expressed their vision of the me I could not see. Would not see. I decided to trust their perspective. I began to grow; I began to see me. Now, IDENTITY to me is the sum of the whole we choose to embrace. I now embrace God, Christ, The Spirit, Love, Peace, Respect, Trust, Truth, Vulnerability, Courage, Honor, Others, Hope, Self-Worth, and I embrace Faith. Most important, I embrace by all this the Right Man God gave me Purpose to be."
17 x 21
Medium: mixed media
"Art is my outlet, my therapy and one of my ways to support myself. I love to get lost in a piece, and the joy it brings to give someone the gift of art. I am just always inspired by Jehovah God, our Creator, and the best artist of all."
17 x 21
Medium: mixed media
"Art is my outlet, my therapy and one of my ways to support myself. I love to get lost in a piece, and the joy it brings to give someone the gift of art. I am just always inspired by Jehovah God, our Creator, and the best artist of all."
24 x 48
Medium: acrylic on stretched canvas
"Art is a big part of my life. I find art in the color of fall leaves and the lyrics in music. What inspires me to create art the most is my pain. Being here in Shakopee has been full of pain and my creativity is sentient!"
12 x 24
Medium: acrylic on stretched canvas
"Art is a big part of my life. I find art in the color of fall leaves and the lyrics in music. What inspires me to create art the most is my pain. Being here in Shakopee has been full of pain and my creativity is sentient!"
8 x 10
Medium: color pencil on pastel paper
"Inspired by the journey we all must walk. Life hands us unexpected turns to learn from, yet most of us find ourselves trapped and tangled. We must learn from our struggles how to free ourselves. Only you can set yourself free to fulfill your destiny of infinite possibilities."
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
18 x 24
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
24 x 36
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
24 x 36
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
24 x 36
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
18 x 24
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
18 x 24
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
mixed media (water color, colored pencil)
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
18 x 24
Acrylic
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
11 x 14
Medium: Instant coffee on paper
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
12 x 18
Medium: Instant coffee on paper
I’m not what others write of me, I’m not what images depict of me. Unless you are to sit and get to know me through unbiased eyes and ears, my identity can be obscured and never truly known. I don’t see myself. I’m not sure I care how I’m seen. Simply put, there is not enough paper to express/tell the stories of me. If someone really wanted to know me, pull up a chair, we’ll have some coffee and chat. You have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Me.
8 x 10
Medium: color pencil on pastel paper
"Inspired by the journey we all must walk. Life hands us unexpected turns to learn from, yet most of us find ourselves trapped and tangled. We must learn from our struggles how to free ourselves. Only you can set yourself free to fulfill your destiny of infinite possibilities."
8 x 10
"Inspired by the journey we all must walk. Life hands us unexpected turns to learn from, yet most of us find ourselves trapped and tangled. We must learn from our struggles how to free ourselves. Only you can set yourself free to fulfill your destiny of infinite possibilities."
11 × 14
acrylic on canvas, matted and framed
"Lilies reflect the connection between the spiritual and material realms. Since I was a young boy, I have been captivated by tree frogs and spent hours in the woods catching and releasing these incredible creatures. As an adult, I am reminded of the many life cycles that a tree frog experiences. As someone deeply connected to the earth, I look to the tree frog as a reminder to embrace change with grace and ease."
11 × 14
acrylic on stretched canvas
"When I was a young boy, we lived in Mobile, Alabama and I spent a lot of time near the water. The bayou, with its birds, quiet sounds, and abundant wildlife felt like home to me. Blue herons walk slowly or stand still for long periods of time when waiting to catch fish, trusting that what they need will come to them at the right time. The heron and the bayou both remind me to embrace stillness and to trust that what is meant for me will come in the right and exact perfect timing."
11 × 14
acrylic on canvas, matted and framed
"Green Darner Dragonflies are the largest and fastest-flying dragonflies in North America. They often travel in swarms or families, and they are most often found near sources of water. Symbolically dragonflies are revered as symbols of wisdom, change, transformation, and adaptability in life. In many cultures, they are also seen as carriers of light and joy, signifying positivity and the presence of loved ones who have passed on. Reflecting on my own life's journey, I find solace in drawing inspiration from the dragonfly. Its ability to maneuver through obstacles and its unwavering resilience in the face of challenges serve as a poignant reminder that we, too, can navigate the complexities of life with grace and determination."
Alone on the Dark By David Edward Lenarz, Jr. (Not for sale)
11×14
Medium: color pencil on pastel paper
"Inspired by the journey we all must walk. Life hands us unexpected turns to learn from, yet most of us find ourselves trapped and tangled. We must learn from our struggles how to free ourselves. Only you can set yourself free to fulfill your destiny of infinite possibilities."