by Keith Erickson, Pleasant Valley State Prison, Coalinga, CA
The world never looked so beautiful than it does for me today. Having spent almost forty years of my life incarcerated my perception of things around me weren’t always so glamourous. I decided to write this piece on one of my special talents, being an artist. There is more to my being skilled at this craft than simply being able to sit down and do it freely.
As a kid growing up, I was fascinated by street art, graffiti and tagging. Watching the 1980’s movies like “Beat Street,” “Breaking,” and “Breaking 2,” I wanted to master what other street artist had done.
Unfortunately, my childhood was anything but ideal. My step-father was an abusive heroin addict and at the age of eleven nearly killed me.
I spent years in the Foster Care System, California Youth Authority, and eventually found my way into the California Department of Corrections at eighteen. The dreams I had as a small boy took a backseat to the life I would live or so I once thought.
I’ve worn many hats in my life and filled many roles that were not always healthy for me. Through it all I’ve managed to make time for my ability and skills of being able to express myself through art even if it means doing it in the confinement of a prison cell.
My journey itself has taught me about who I am. I am grateful for the roads in which my being an artist has allowed me to travel. Whether it’s an opportunity to do a piece for The Beat Within, a greeting card for my wife and children, or time spend creating a mural painting here on the facility, Every moment engulfed the peace that rests in my soul as I dove deeper into what I was doing.
I’ve been able to touch lives through my skills/gifts of being an artist and there’s no words to describe how much that means to me. I am a firm believer in “what you put into the universe you receive back in abundance.”
Today the universe has gifted me beyond measure. I have a beautiful wife, step-daughters, that see the goodness in me that I once struggled to see for myself, and family/friends at The Beat Within who’ve supported and encouraged me to be the best version of myself in every aspect.
What the future holds for me as an inmate here in the California Prison System cannot come close to what is “in this very moment.” I think it’s only human nature to feel a sense of helplessness and defeat when you are faced with what may seem an impossible situation. But I also know from personal experience that everyone has in them the power to fight harder for what they want if they want it bad enough.
I wanted inner peace and freedom throughout most of my life and today I’ve been able to obtain those things by focusing on the details. Life’s lessons are all in the details if you’re willing to learn from them.
I’m honored that youths across the country are able to see my artwork, reading my story and see life from the perspective of someone who’s walked in their shoes. I can only hope that I’m able to encourage and inspire you for greater success again. Life is full of lessons to be learned, if you’re committed to not making those mistakes twice.
Find something fulfilling and positive to spend your time on like reading, writing, drawing, creating music, and allow your dreams to carry you out into the world where life is full of nothing but endless possibilities.
I would also like to give a shout out to Mr. Michael Mackey, a fellow artist at San Quentin State Prison. Your commitment to your contributions with The Beat Within are very inspirational.
Signing off….teens, keep those pens to paper and never stop dreaming.