Who am I?

For the last 33 years, I have worked in the criminal (in)justice system, for the defense. I am a forensic social worker working on federal criminal cases, including death penalty, murder and drug trafficking cases. It is my role to tell the client’s life story advocating for a lower sentence than the prosecutor (the government) proposes.

I have never met a client without a chaotic background that did not impact their decisions leading them into the courtroom. My reports written for the judge contain accounts of my client's experiences such as migrating across borders as unaccompanied minors, being born into gangs, and being raised without parental supervision.

The Metropolitan Detention Center, a widely recognized federal jail where my clients are held, has a well-earned reputation for hazardous conditions that contribute to routine violence, worsening mental health issues, and insufficient healthcare.

During COVID-19 when the jails shut down, the conditions worsened, and I could only see the clients through video calls. My high stress level needed to de-escalate. A close friend suggested that I buy a canvas and paint…and that’s where it all began.

I splattered paint on large canvases and used putty knives from Home Depot instead of a brush. Most of my art is abstract, and related to my work, including overcrowded jails, police brutality, and criminal injustice.

As a social worker who listens to intense stories, I needed a visceral outlet, and I found it.

Thank you for reading my story!