Fishing For Freedom

Fishing For Freedom Shelton Alford (AKA Tyreek) Acrylic on parachute paper, stretched 36"W x 48"H Framing available upon request “I was inspired to do this painting about fishing because I was thinking about the lesson it teaches you about having patience. You need that same patience while being incarcerated. With both of these situations you shouldn't give up. If you do nothing good will happen. It takes a great deal of patience to get through each day while being incarcerated. Waiting for what you want is my point here. Even when the sun is going down (losing hope) you can not give up.” Shelton Alford is an artist currently serving a life sentence. Seeking an outlet, he turned to art after an older mentor he frequently spoke with introduced him to painting by giving him a brush and canvas. Alford's work is rooted in storytelling, often reflecting meaningful moments from his life, particularly the joy and memories of his childhood. Alford chooses not to center his art on incarceration. Instead, he focuses on themes of hope, happiness, and personal reflection.