Welcome to the Art of Soulmaking
The letters we’ve received from Art of Soulmaking participants have been filled with genius, creativity and
the power of art that brings recognition to the soul of our participants.
This gallery is intended to share the work of these artists, and bring their voices and messages
out into the world.
My Reflections On What The Art Of Soulmaking Has Done For Me
I’ll admit that I was kind of skeptical about this course at first because there are so many faith based programs out there that claim to help people but hardly ever do.
I’ll admit that taking this course was probably the best decision I’ve ever made since coming to prison. I’ve discovered things...
Nov 9, 2024, by Jeremy Craft
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A Free Soul
I was first introduced to the Art of the Soulmaking project by my mom, Tami Jade, who is an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility at Chowchilla Prison. My mom informed me about all of the amazing transformations that this program has been helping her achieve within herself.
As an exte...
Oct 29, 2024, by Angelica Solis - Daughter of Tami Jade
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Freedom Within
My name is Debra Bailey, I am a former inmate of the Mendocino County Jail. I was incarcerated from June 15, 2021, until October 26, 2022. During this time, I participated in all programs offered at the jail. Specifically, the garden program, yoga, and the Art of Soulmaking. I learned how to medi...
Oct 27, 2024, by Debra Bailey
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Learning To Be Comfortable Dealing With The Uncomfortable
Incarcerated for more than forty-three years and a long-time participant in the Art of Soulmaking, Donald Dillbeck is currently serving time on death row in Florida.
Why is it do you suppose that we are always trying to not harvest or face our emotional pain? What is it that gets us to avoid bein...
Oct 27, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Transformation Through The Art Of Forgiveness
In the booklet The Art of Soulmaking, one of the more important subjects mentioned is forgiveness. The booklet tells us what forgiveness is and how it brings transformation to us after we learn to forgive.
Many years ago, someone sent me a book marker with the saying “Peace Begins with me” on it....
Oct 27, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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More Free Than Those In The Free World
Unconditional freedom… The Art of Soulmaking? In prison, yeah right.
Believe me I entertained those exact thoughts. I’m serving twenty-two years in Central California Women’s Facility. Prior to reading The Art of Soulmaking workbook, it was hard for me to imagine unconditional freedom. As I conte...
Oct 26, 2024, by Jennifer
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A Final Message from Donald Dillbeck before he was executed put to images
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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No One Who Knew Him Wasn’t Changed By Him – An Interview
Ines Aubert: Marla, can you tell us in short who you are?
Marla Moffet: In the role of Managing Editor of the online newsletter for our nonprofit Unconditional Freedom (unconditionalfreedom.org), I first came across Don’s work when he won a contest that we ran with our program participants on Dea...
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Reflections From A Death Row Monk
There are a number of parallels or trains of thought that can be had from the story written in The Art Of Soulmaking concerning the word, " meek."
I first came to prison at the age of 15 and have been incarcerated for the past 43 years. The first 11 years was in open segregation while the last 30...
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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My Friend Don - by Grace Silverwood
On 23rd February 2023, at around 6pm, Donald Dillbeck walked into a room he knew he wouldn’t be leaving alive. Did he feel scared? Probably, but I don’t think he would have been as scared as the rest of us would have been in that situation. For even though the battle he fought to stay alive for s...
Oct 24, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Video Stories From The Prison Monastery Program — Debbie
Oct 24, 2024, by Debra Bailey
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The Sleight Of Hand
Freedom is an illusion. And not a particularly good one. Like a mediocre magician playing at wowing the audience, its true nature has more in common with the sleight of hand. We are always fascinated by the shiny object, the trending topic, or the outrage of the moment. But it’s a shell game to k...
Oct 24, 2024, by Kevin Foster
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Pain Into Something Beautiful
How have I turned pain into something beautiful, something that holds value to society? Something that connects us to one another?
No dipping your toe into the water to see how cold it may be, nor wading in a little at a time… just jump right into the deep end, huh?
Alright then: I guess the easi...
Oct 24, 2024, by George Presley
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Charles learned to draw by copying a print
Oct 24, 2024, by Charles Finney
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Pencil Drawing
Oct 24, 2024, by Charles Finney
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The Impossible: My New Reality
I woke up in the darkest, loneliest place in my life both figuratively and literally. I was 30 years old, addicted to drugs, had burned all my bridges, lost everything, and found myself on Death Row. I was at a breaking point, or what some people call the “dark night of the soul.” But, ironically...
Oct 24, 2024, by Nicholas Smith
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Doin’ Life In Prison
Doin’ life in prison
You ain’t got nothin’ but time
Distractions nowhere to be found
With nowhere to hide.
I find myself on the ground
Reflecting on my life
All I see is me, myself, and I.
Humbling myself now I can see how God
Led me through each and every one of those
achievements.
Everything ha...
Oct 24, 2024, by C. Gosztyla
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From The Ashes Rises The Phoenix
A handful of years ago my adopted mother passed away. We had a strong bond and were very close. It’s safe to say she was what anchored me and kept me going in the early years while being on death row. She was in her mid 80s when she passed away, so she had a good full life. Perhaps a year before ...
Oct 24, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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