JustArts Gallery
Tulsa, OK
Elevating the creative voices of people confined to carceral institutions across the US.
MessageCollection: Selvyn Tillett
I'm not sure exactly when the artistic bug bit me. I do remember going to the park, fair, carnival and watching the caricature artists create. I even stumbled across some artists, in a park, painting. I stood there watching seemingly for hours.
Unfortunately, I became incarcerated. However, just as before, I was almost hypnotized by the various artists' photographic portraits. At some point I discovered Bob Ross on television. I watched faithfully until I mustered up the courage to order a couple hundred dollars worth of art supplies. Of course, without proper guidance, I purchased mostly the wrong stuff. Undeterred, I ordered again.
My choice of subjects to paint is reflected in the fact that I love the outdoors. My love of the outdoors may be a combination of the fact that I am originally from a Caribbean country, where I spent a lot of time in the outdoors and the desire to shake off the claustrophobic side effects of being incarcerated. The beautiful wide panoramic views of mountain ranges, foggy woods, or seascapes remind me of lost freedom. I've been trying to step outside of my comfort zone, painting people, buildings, etc.
Recently, I was blessed to participate in my first art show. That was an item on my bucket list. The theme was "my relationship with the prison library." I painted a character trying to pull open the door of the prison's library although there was a large sign on it saying that it was closed. "Let Me In," was the theme.
With the wonderful support and positive encouragement of good friends I met on my journey I am sure that I will continue to grow and expand my brush strokes to new areas.
Selvyn Tillett #163944
MCIH
18601 Roxbury Rd
Hagerstown, MD 21746
MCIH
18601 Roxbury Rd
Hagerstown, MD 21746
