Glimpse by Stephen Shappell
Medium: Paint on canvas board
Dimensions: 12 x 16
Artist Statement: My name is Stephen Shappell. I'm an inmate in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and have been incarcerated for 16 years. Having had zero art inclination prior, i started painting when I came to prison as a way to show my deep appreciation to the people in my life who stood by me despite my arrest. The small gift of art (albeit pretty poorly made art in the beginning) was al that I felt I had to offer them. Where words failed it became a form of communication for me. Almost 2 decades in and i continue to paint for much of the same reason. To share beauty and gratitude with those who refuse to forget those of us who've made mistakes and steadfastly believe in human dignity. I hope this piece helps further the cause for justice in whatever minute way it can.
Image description: Acrylic painting in bright, bold colors. The subject is a feminine person with tan skin, green eyes with dark lashes, black straight hair blowing, and red lips. They are facing to the side, but turning to look toward the viewer, seen from the upper torso and up. They are wearing a dress with no shoulders in blue, light blue, orange, and black, and a matching blue Sunday hat with a yellow orange ribbon. The background is composed of a geometric design of squares, rectangles, and lines in a variety of bold colors.