Happy Thanksgiving from David- wishing you all a happy thanksgiving and wishing also that i could be there with you. so-you should all get stuffed.! and to you jimmy in the uk, i'm talking about stuffing ones self with food. as the holiday was originally signed into law by abraham lincoln to celebrate the preservation of the union after the civil war, it was not a popular holiday in the south. so the script was flipped to celebrate a supposed meal shared with native americans-but the main thing is its a great excuse to get all of the family together and chow down hopefully without too much fighting. the older i get the more importance i place on family and friends. of course missing all of you makes it all the more so, well that and the fact that i will be missing the big feed. sigh !!!!! love to all , david

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as if on cue,i miss everyone just a bit more than i do during the rest of the year. you would think that a person would get used to this isolation after a number of years, but it doesn't get any better. out there you are dealing with all of those impossible expectations stressing your time and budgets. no doubt a lot of people would rather sit the whole mess out in the bahamas. for me, the holidays represent family, friends, generousity, and spiritual and cultural traditions expressed as best as we are able.i wish i could join the party. i do what i can. when all else is stripped away ,cars, jobs, bank accounts , these memories and feelings and kindness that the holidays represent are what sustain us and are the yardstick by which we value our lives. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. ........... i'm just sayin'

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Hi AW friends! David will paint a portrait from a photograph for you! If you are looking for that special gift or keepsake- send an email to me! I'm looking forward to hearing from you - Thanks- Cathy Jones

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Happy Memorial Day! hope all of you are enjoying your weekend whether a family get together, our friendly debauch. we are enjoying a lockdown for reasons yet unknown. also our a.c. is out for` 3 days. otherwise we are in excellant spirits. i must meet with my case manager who is preparing a report about yours truly at the request of the pardon atty. i'm hoping that you guys will send a letter on my behalf, or an e-mail. instructions are on henrydavidpotwin.com or on facebook. have a great holiday. yrs d

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My Dear Friends, I am once again filing for clemency, this time with Barack Obama, in hopes that the Democrats may look more favorably upon my release. once again, i am calling upon my friends to provide a brief letter of support and / or e-mail to: The President of the United States Mr. Barack Obama c/o United States Dept. of Justice Mr. Ronald L. Rodgers, Pardon Atty. 1425 New York Ave., N.W. Suite 11000 Washington, D.C. 20530 U.S.A. e-mail to Mr. Ronald L. Rodgers, Pardon Atty. [email protected] note that the capital letters in e-mail address are correct. I'm sure that all of us are different people and the world a different place than existed 18 years ago. i yearn to paint in the free air of the world. i have missed all of those meaningfull events that mark our lives , the graduations, marraiges, births deaths loves triumphs and struggles and wish only to spend my time amongst family and friends. this is a rare but not impossible undertaking. an old friend and cellie of mine named don clark was granted clemency by pres. clinton. i believe that my only chance for success is an overwhelming show of support from as many people as possible in order to stand out from the other applicants. i don"t have any movie stars or famous advocates which seems to be the easiest way that applicants succeed. i don't believe that i am that special or deserving of your help, but none-the-less here i am hat in hand. the e-mails do not have to be long or involved, they should all specify, "i am writing to you concerning Henry David Potwin, #26525-077 who is at F.C.I. Ft. Worth,in Ft. Worth ,Texas. I request that he be granted clemency." Talking points , for example: 1) the unnecessary harshness of his 25 year sentence 2) that he has paid his debt to society 3)has been incarcerated since 1994 4) is no threat to society 5)he is 60 years of age 6) he is sufficiently rehabilitated 7) he is an artist who has much to contribute and would be a valuable member of society 8) his 82 year old mother is in need of his assistance 9) he has the support of friends and family who would benefit from his release 10) he has been trouble free in his institution and has taught art to prisoners for many years earning the respect of inmates and staff 11)has friends and family willing to help him transition back into society. do not hesitate to announce your credentials, titles, memberships and awards. you are all important people.this attempt will be my swan song and i really do need a chorus of a thousand. please feel free to post this wherever it may do some good and if you have the time, visit my website at henrydavidpotwin.com thanks. i am in all ya'alls debt. FREE ART IN THE USA

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"how to say thanks to all of you guys who have been commenting on my work for so long. olga,sherry,emily, maria,ruth,jo-ann,avan,cindy,steve,joan,renaldo,ricky, monique,muhammad ,emel,marilyn,rita,james,e.e.,margaret, eds mum,,sheryl,dennis,dee,maggie,tahnja,gordart,mary,corrina,sally,pauline, james d, hidemi,carole,rita,virgosun,leslie,bill, liz,lord,ismail jeez, i don't want to stop for fear of how many of you guys i have not given a nod. please consider yourself appreciated. thanks for all of your kind words.i'll keep on doing my best to visually amuse you.you have all eased the isolation and the tyranny of time and despair. if i neglected to mention your name specifically, it by no means diminishes the gratitude that i feel david"

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A recent photo of David. He painted the background for the inmates to have photos taken to send to their families.

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Life can be pretty dismal here. Painting transports me to a realm of indeterminate possibilities. Perhaps one can live a meaningful life, even in awful circumstances. I have taught art to prisoners for thirteen years. There are some dreadful people here, but most are just normal working class guys who wandered into difficult situations.

I tried to establish a creative refuge in an abusive environment. Small acts add up over time. Some of th emen learn to deal with thier stress through creativity as opposed to blind anger. Some don't. I was introduced the other day as "our artist trying to change the world one painting at a time" Ain't that a hoot?. Well, I just had to smile. - David

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Poem by Henry David Potwin:

Uncertain days of fragile hours may conspire, against my eyes alive and heart afire.

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