Renowned artist David Leffel spent two days teaching San Quentin inmates the fine points of painting with oils.
“Most beginners try to transfer what they see on to canvas with exactness, and that’s not a reality,” Leffel told the students.
“Don’t get stuck in the middle, where you can’t see where you’re going, worrying too much about details,” he added. “You should keep it simple and work with big strokes, then finish by moving values and paint around to make your painting come alive.”
Leffel came to San Quentin as part of the Prison Art Project workshop, sponsored by the Williams James Association.
He gave the inmates painting tips, from basics like how to hold a paint brush to more complex points like being aware of light and shadows.
During the first day, Leffel painted a portrait of an inmate named Fred Tinsley, while explaining to inmates what they should keep in mind when they are painting.
“Just sitting there watching David paint my image was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Tinsley. “The intensity in his eyes had a master’s look. What a privilege.”
On the second day, two inmates modeled as students practiced what they had learned the first day. Leffel went around helping and encouraging each student individually.
“He’s a very profound man with a passion for art. For two days it was like being at a university,” said inmate Gary Harrell.
“It was inspiring to see an artist who’s made it,” said Josh Locke. “It gave me an idea of where I am and where I want to be. He brought it all together. That was his gift to me, to view a painting in a different light.”
Leffel came with Carlos Grasso, his friend, publisher, assistant, agent and student who is also an artist. At age 4, Leffel contracted a bone disease which kept him bed-ridden until age 15, getting around with crutches and a wheelchair. The disease left him with a bad leg, yet for two days he only sat down for a quick lunch with the inmates.
“To see a painting in a photograph or magazine is one thing, but to actually see the paint applied to canvas the way David did was sublime,” said Scott McKinstry.
“David Leffel’s workshop was a thrill to watch. To see the model’s face emerge from the dark background was magic. His use of paint was brilliant,” said art instructor Pat Maloney.
“I had always wanted to work with oils, and David made it all look easy,” said Kalifah Christiansen
Volunteer Instructor Lauds Art in Prison
Thursday mornings you’ll find prison art project manager Carol Newborg supervising her open studio class in “Arts in Corrections,” where San Quentin prisoners work to create works of art in various mediums.
Newborg began working with artists in 1985 at the California Institute for Women at Norco. She recently began her open studio class at San Quentin.
Newborg, an artist, is deeply involved in organizing art shows to display the work of San Quentin artists.
San Quentin artists’ work will be displayed in September at Alcatraz, the former federal prison that’s now a popular tourist attraction. “This is a great way to expose San Quentin art to the public,” Newborg said.
San Francisco’s library will also hold another art show for the prisoners in 2013.
“I love watching people who love art, grow and get better,” Newborg said. “It’s amazing how much art enriches people’s lives. That’s very visible here. The calm, relaxing, spiritual environment that everyone shares makes this place feel like a sanctuary.”
Over 17 Years Since Singer’s Tragic Death
Last month marked the 17th anniversary of the tragic death of singer and songwriter Selena Quintanella, known as “La Reina de la musica Tejana” – The Queen of Tejano music.
Selena was born and raised in Texas. She started singing at age three and had her own band by the time she was nine, called Selena y Los Dinos. Selena signed her first recording contract, with EMI/Capitol, in 1989, and her popularity quickly grew. She was named “Top Latin Artist of the 90’s” and “Best selling Latin artist of the decade” by Billboard magazine.
In addition to her musical success, she was also an actress, dancer, model and designer. She enjoyed going to schools to encourage education, and was involved with civic organizations such as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).
Selena’s rise to the top was cut short at the age of 23. On March 31, 1995, she was murdered at a Days Inn hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas by Yolanda Saldívar, who had been president of the Selena Fan Club. The Quintanella family had recently fired Saldívar when they discovered she was embezzling money from the club.
Saldívar received a life sentence; she will be eligible for parole in 2025. She is in protective custody due to death threats from other prisoners.
On April 12, 1995, then governor George W. Bush declared Selena’s birthday of April 16 as “Selena Day”.
Prisoners Learn to Paint
Acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or just plain graphite provide Pat Malony various mediums to teach potential artists incarcerated in San Quentin the finer points in painting.
For the past 23 years, Malony has been working for SQ Arts in Corrections. He began when he was 53 years old. He’s seen many changes in S.Q. However, his art class has survived these changes.
Three times a week Pat has the opportunity to teach student artists understanding. Mondays are devoted to color theory. On Tuesdays, prisoners learn the art of portraits, using live models. And Saturdays give prisoners the chance to work on individual projects.
The program is funded by grants provided through donations, food sales, and various benefits.
The Arts in Corrections provide all the materials, but prisoners may bring their own. Pat has a B.A. in art. When asked about his retirement, he said, “I don’t plan to. I love my job too much to consider retiring.”
Prisoners in the program say that art allows them to express themselves and enable them to relax – like therapy.
The program plans to put on shows sometime this summer.
Prisoners Learn to Paint
Acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or just plain graphite provide Pat Malony various mediums to teach potential artists incarcerated in San Quentin the finer points in painting.
For the past 23 years, Malony has been working for SQ Arts in Corrections. He began when he was 53 years old. He’s seen many changes in S.Q. However, his art class has survived these changes.
Three times a week Pat has the opportunity to teach student artists understanding. Mondays are devoted to color theory. On Tuesdays, prisoners learn the art of portraits, using live models. And Saturdays give prisoners the chance to work on individual projects.
The program is funded by grants provided through donations, food sales, and various benefits.
The Arts in Corrections provide all the materials, but prisoners may bring their own. Pat has a B.A. in art. When asked about his retirement, he said, “I don’t plan to. I love my job too much to consider retiring.”
Prisoners in the program say that art allows them to express themselves and enable them to relax – like therapy.
The program plans to put on shows sometime this summer.