For Michael Andrus, art means freedom from reality because it allows him an outlet for change and a way to be in tune with his creativity.
Andrus, recognizes how art has been a temperately reproach of getting away from prison drama.
He named his pieces “Leaders of Destruction,” and stated,“ I painted this piece to state that in America, they’re one of them main leaders in our Climate Crisis,” said Andrus. “I said that because I feel that they hate me because I was born Black, which is something I have no control over”
In prison, it is uncommon to find someone with a sense of humor; Andrus is one of the very few artists to bring this positive attitude into characters. He understands that there tends to be a darkness that incarcerated folks are dealing with, as he referred to doom-and-gloom, he tries to find a silver lining in everything he does.
Additionally there is Peter Griffen, with his signature outfit doing the buttie scoot with a remarkable smile. This icon character was painted on one of his hats, painted in red “OMG THEY KILLED KENNY”, following “Sike I’m Not Dying No More,” Kenny is on the front left and Quagmire on the right side.
According to the artist, being creative comes with a tag price, and that is, his time and dedication when he could be doing something else, like down time for himself.
When he was housed at another prison, the correctional officers were not receptive to him wearing his Peter Griffen hat and were ordered to stop wearing it because it was “Too Loud”. In contrast to where he came from, he feels that at the Q, the officers allow people to express their artistic creativity.
During one of his visits to the prison library, he was introducing his art to another person. As someone who considers himself a student of art, Andrus asked his new friend if he could do a painting out of his friend ideas [which he has already drawn]. As a result, he decided to paint Alien Gladiator.
“When I looked at her, the first thing I thought about is that she is ready to kill anything that opposes her,” said Andrus.
He noted that when looking at Alein Gladiator, it sparked something in him. This helped him in creating the background of this piece.
One of the interesting elements that this artist embodies in all his paintings for San Quentin are the Insufficent Funds, or NSF, using this as proof of origin. Every incarcerated person who is without sufficient funds will receive a total of 20 envelopes per month. In other words, his pieces are meant to highlight poverty in prison.
“It is like being on Wellfair,” said Andrus.
He’s also motivated by animation, like Naruto, which is a show that he grew up watching. The artist decided to use a canvas to paint the eye of one of his favorite characters name Sasuke Uchia. Reminiscing on his favorite shows, Andrus shares that Sasuke Uchai at the end of the show developed the ultimate Tsukiomi, which is the all-powerful eye. In the series, art allows the characters to do incredible things, which has inspired Andrus. As a truth fanatic, this artist states, “With great power come great responsibilities.”
