Since being incarcerated, I have honed my talent as an artist, working in a variety of media and experimenting with different styles and techniques.  I am a self-taught artist with no formal training in art.  I started with just pencil and paper.  Over these recent years I have ventured into charcoal, colored pencil, pastel and even acrylic.

Pastel is most certainly my preferred medium - even though I am relatively new at it.  I like the pure pigments and quick results.  My favorite subject to draw and paint is definitely animal and wildlife; every once in a while I like to tackle a complicated building or paint a colorful landscape or portrait.

I am now able to reach beyond these prison walls to share my talent with the world.  I am a member of the Tennessee Art League in Nashville and the Knoxville Art & Culture Alliance.  Three of my paintings have been accepted for display by the Upstream People Gallery.  My pen and ink drawing, Broadway, won second prize in the Annual Tennessee Art League Juried Members Exhibition.  My pastel painting, Casey, was accepted into the Mountain Visions 2010 Regional Juried Exhibition.

Joseph Lantrip