Vigilante Studios
Self-taught while in prison, Damien specialises in photo-realistic portraits using graphite. He can also do still-life, landscapes and other custom images on request. In 2021, Damien was hired by Random House to illustrate the book This is Ear Hustle. Artworks have been finished and the book is due for release on October 12, 2021.
To see more art, follow Vigilante Studios on Instagram: @EmbersOfRetribution
NFTs (digital art sales) can be purchased through our account on OpenSea.
Custom NFTs can also be commissioned.
Ear Hustle:
Book Illustration
Ear Hustle, an award winning podcast, looks at the daily realities of life inside prison shared by those living it, and stories from the outside, post-incarceration.
This image I created for the book shows an inmate at San Quentin State Prison taking his pet cat for an informal check up with the prison doctor. I very much doubt pet cats were officially allowed, but you'd be surprised what you can get in prison if you know the right people.
This is Ear Hustle: Book Illustration Examples
Click on the images to expand and read about the works.
Current Exhibitions
10 July - 7 November 2021
Broken Chains:
Prisoners Unlocking Potential
Currently available for view in person at Wallsend Public Library, digitally at the Digital Library in Newcastle West, and online.
Broken Chains is a feature exhibition of 10 drawings and biographies hosted by Newcastle Library. The exhibition accompanies a podcast series they commissioned Damien to host on the prison system.
Past Exhibitions
Click on the images to expand and read about the shows.
Commissions
Click on the images to expand and read about the works.
Always learning
Comparison drawing from the first images I made in prison, or the first attempt at drawing the subjects, to the current version I've worked on.
All Art
For all art and current peices check out my instagram @embersofretribution or Flickr
