*Valkyrie Gaze* Art by Devon Vedder

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My name is Devon Vedder. I’m 61 years old and originally from Los Angeles County. I have been incarcerated since 1988.

Art was something I enjoyed as a kid, but it became a much bigger part of my life after coming to prison. During my first few years inside, I began doing tattoo work as a way to support myself, and I continued tattooing for nearly 20 years. Eventually, I stepped away from tattooing and returned to drawing.

Around 2011–2012, I also created artwork for a clothing company, which gave me a way to use my talent to help provide for myself. Since then, most of my artwork has been drawings and cards created for other people.

After spending so many years incarcerated, art gives me something productive to focus on and a way to continue creating and contributing. I’m excited to explore new ideas and subject matter through Still Human and to see where my artwork can go.

I’ve been creating in one form or another for most of my life, and after all these years, I’m still creating.