Art + Poetry
When did you start drawing?
When I was around 13, I had a cousin who came out of prison. I would see all of these drawings he did while he was locked up. He gave me a bunch of his unfinished pieces that he did while he was in prison and I would just try to finish them by mimicking his work and shading them in. When I actually started drawing my own stuff, I think it was around 2007- while I was in the SHU at Pelican Bay State Prison.
What led you to pick up that hobby?
I seen all the other guys here drawing around me and I thought it was pretty cool. They told me it was their way of saying thank you to their loved ones on the outside who helped them. So, I thought it would be a great way to show my appreciation to my friends and family. A small gesture I could do because I wasn’t able to afford to buy gifts during important holidays.
What have been some of your greatest challenges with drawing?
I'm kind of tone deaf when it comes to shading. I need to literally see things in black and white in order to see light and shadows and where shading goes. Recently, I've started trying to be a little more loose and work with what I’m creating and transforming it into something else if it doesn’t turn out exactly how I want it to.
How about poetry, can you talk a little bit about that?
Back in the day, I used to try and write punk rock and rap songs and I started noticing that it was pretty similar to poetry. When I wound up in the SHU I started writing more. I wrote this pretty poem about a girl and showed it to a friend, and they thought it was dope. He asked me to write one for his girl, so it kinda became a thing. People would describe their loved ones and I would just write all these love poems for the guys here. But it was actually when I met you, Magida, you showed so much interest in my poetry and that kind of pushed me to keep writing.
What has it done for you - mentally, spiritually?
Poetry is just a way to express myself. Discussing mental health stuff is frowned upon here, so a lot of the time I keep things to myself. With poetry, especially during my darkest days, the seven years being stuck in the SHU, poetry was just a way to channel my thoughts and emotions through words. I started to feel proud to share my work the more you (Magida) praised it. I submitted some of my pieces to a competition we had here in prison and won. People seem to like my thoughts and the way I express them. I suppose it could be relatable to the guys here. And the more I started writing, the more I started getting inspired by the things around me, which in the SHU, wasn’t a lot. I’d watch TV and I would pick pretty things to talk about, like the galaxy, the stars, inspired by historical events or people. It’s just a good feeling to get those thoughts out. When I look back and reflect on them, it helps me learn new things about myself.
Donations
*Keep scrolling if you are not interested- seriously no pressure.*
We have been receiving some emails about donations, so we decided to set up a few options. We put together a paypal for those who want to donate a dollar amount, or if you prefer to anonymously send him a gift, we have an Amazon wish list set up, where you can send him some things he needs / wants. Lastly, you can also purchase a copy of his Poetry book. It's a collection of short poems during his 7 years in Solitary Confinement, alongside my ink drawings.
Any donations, big or small, is truly appreciated and will be put towards Samuel's art supplies and commissary (food and hygiene products). 15% of each donation will be put back into the community where Samuel was born and raised. The same community that let him down, he is hoping to help create change for the future. Samuel chose to donate to the boys and girls club in LA.
If you decide to donate, please follow up and send me your address via email or through Paypal, so you can receive a custom thank you note from Samuel and I. Depending on the amount you donate, you may receive an additional gift from Samuel (an original art piece or poem sent to you from him.)
Q&A
You asked, we answered. Here’s a few questions from our readers:
How do you keep going and why?
Fortunately, I’ve had some very good friends and family that have supported and loved me. This gives me the drive and hope to be a better person, and to learn. Education and learning more about the world around me, law, and life. It helps me find purpose and to be the best version of me that I can be on a daily basis. The moments of hopelessness come, but they’re a lot further in between as I continue to grow.
Do you believe that the sentence you were given was fair?
In regards to the crime itself, it was not a fair sentence. I believe 15 years would have been an appropriate sentence for that crime. However, if I am being completely honest in regards to all of the things that I have done that led me to where I am today, I believe the time I have served was deserved, which is 23 consecutive years. That being said, I know for a fact if I was on the streets, I would be dead by now. It has taken me this long to grow up, but I truly believe at this point in time, I can be an asset and contribute to society. I am worthy of a second chance at life.
How long did you go through the numb feeling after sentencing?
When I was first given the sentencem I thought “Let’s fucking go.” I was heavy in the gang world, so this was my attitude for half of the time I served. When I wound up in the SHU for 7 consecutive years, that's when it hit me that I probably wouldn't ever be getting out and that was really hard for me.
How do you work through difficult feelings now, as opposed to before you went to prison?
Before I was very impulsive, I had a lot of self-hatred and anger. I used alcohol and drugs to numb myself. I also would resort to senseless gang violence. Now, through years of growth and actually educating myself- trying to be good and kind and trying to be positive in a negative environment is helping me learn to grow emotionally and mentally. Communication and thinking before reacting. And I’m still learning.
If you could have one thing to eat from the outside what would it be? And reading any good books?
If we’re talking about right at this moment, Original Tommy's Chilli Cheese Burger. But if we’re talking gourmet, then some fresh seafood. I'm currently reading "The Stolen Continents" by Ronald Wright.
Do you have to fight or do something special to establish your role on the pecking order?
When I was a youngster I had to fight and do all kinds of stuff to earn respect and make a name for myself. But as I got older, it became less important. I no longer put myself in a position to have to participate. I’m minding my own business, unless it’s defending myself.
