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Ink pen drawing of bird on a branch
Illustration by Zeth Phillips

Art is something I use to channel my energy in the face of great repression. Art is like a window in my cell that has the ultimate view.

When I was free and unencumbered, I enjoyed the use of color and painted farm scenes and sunsets on antique farm tools. More recently I have been limited to using an ink pen, which has limited my color usage. 

I draw everything freehand, although at times I’ll rely on reference materials.

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.

Zeth Phillips is a writer and artist incarcerated in Colorado.