Safari Guide (1987)

Artis Murphy Jr.'s journey has been a rocky round trip from a kid on the streets of Le Droit Park, a stint at Shenandoah's Hainesville Correctional Center, now middle aged and back in D.C. Art has been a constant comfort throughout.

Growing up on Saturday afternoons while friends were playing ball, Murphy was alone recreating comic book panels, sketching National Geographic photos, or wandering about the National Gallery of Art. He was particularly drawn to the masters-to Rembrandt's depiction of light, Monet's use of pastels.

The dream of becoming a commercial artist was shattered in 1982 at age 25. Convicted of a crime for which he still maintains his innocence, a year after release, the tall slim introspective man reveals no bitterness-just resigned acceptance at having spent half his life in prison. "the system is not infallible," he says. "I was like most young people, wanting a good life, a family, material things.

After the Bath

Looking for work I'd show employers my drawings. They would say, 'that's great, but where'd you go to school.' I said, I didn't, and that didn't fly. I got frustrated and turned to the streets--just a follower."