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I started doing the Throwaway People paintings (including these two works) when I was at a much worse private facility when I first came in. I began painting the chaos that surrounded me. I had to express these emotions somehow since you have to always maintain a facade in prison.

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

W.B. Livingston is a writer and artist who takes his inspiration from music. He draws in the dirt, smears toothpaste on cardboard, makes paint out of instant coffee and bribes the paint crews for whatever he can get. Livingston is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma. Instagram: @prisonart6