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The Fortune Society – Insider Art: The New Outsider Art
Auction Ends: Dec 18, 2005 06:00 PM EST

Portraits

'Independence' by Paul Inskeep

"Independence" by Paul Inskeep

Item Number
029
Estimated Value
Priceless
Sold
105 USD to Juditka
Number of Bids
26  -  Bid History

Item Description

8.5x11, paint

Item Special Note

"I did this painting, my first ever, while sitting in a dismal, dank cell on lock-up. The dim glow of a cheap 25-watt bulb was my only light, but it was enough light to see water oozing through the ceiling from an over-flowing toilet in the cell above. To add to the bleakness, it was mid-winter and cold as hell. For some reason my thoughts drifted to the picture of a homeless man I once saw in the park, sitting on a bench. He was bundled in tattered clothes of various colors and sizes . One thing that stood out, in my mind, was his smile, as he gingerly held a cup of coffee in both hands. That smile left me puzzled. Years later, as I huddle in this cell, I realize why he was smiling, even though he seemed to have so little. He had his freedom. This is all anyone really needs to be happy. I scraped together something to paint with and attempted this painting, as I thought of having my freedom one day too. The materials I used were found in this cell. For a brush, I pulled a few hairs from my beard and wrapped dental floss around a broken pencil. The paint came from the corners and ceiling of the cell, where some previous occupant tried to brighten up this hell hole with thick rainbow colors. There were pockets (or bubbles) of paint to be had in the crevices, which I dug out. The moisture of the steel walls kept the paint from drying and just wet enough to re-use. I found a scrap of paper among some garbage left in the cell, which I used to paint this picture while it was still vivid in my mind. When I got off lock-up a friend gave me some acrylic gloss to varnish the painting. I hope you enjoy it. It sure helped me during this solitary and empty time."