“Kirkwood Meadows – Signed Artist’s Proof (A/P) by Al Thompson – Prison Outsider Art”

This signed Artist’s Proof (A/P) print, titled Kirkwood Meadows, carries both artistic and historical weight. The image captures the serene beauty of the Sierra Nevada near the Kirkwood ski area — a place known for its amazing snowfall, wide alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, and timeless mountain vistas. What makes this piece remarkable is not only the subject, but the story behind it. 38 years ago, my dad, Gino— then an investigator with the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office — was conducting interviews at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California. During one of those visits, he was given this signed proof directly from an inmate artist, Al Thompson. Mule Creek is now a place with a surreal duality: from nearby Castle Oaks Golf Course you can sometimes hear prisoners yelling & laughing in the yard while you tee off in the twilight. Against that backdrop, art like this was created — a vivid reminder that beauty can emerge from unlikely places. Dad knew I was an avid skier who loved Kirkwood and passed this artwork on to me as a gift. It has been preserved ever since in its original rustic oak frame — crafted by the inmate himself with double matting (green and cream), which beautifully complements the Sierra Nevada landscape. This makes the piece entirely inmate-made: both the art and the frame. • Title: Kirkwood Meadows • Artist: Al Thompson • Type: Artist’s Proof (A/P), signed on image and mat • Medium: Watercolor print (framed, under glass) • Frame: Original handcrafted oak frame by the inmate artist • Dimensions (framed): approx. 16” x 20” (please see photos) • Provenance: Gifted by inmate artist to a San Joaquin County Public Defender investigator, Mule Creek State Prison, Ione, CA, ~38 years ago This piece has both regional significance (Kirkwood / Sierra Nevada collectors, ski and mountain enthusiasts) and outsider art appeal (prison-created artwork with a human story attached). From a grateful inmate… to a dedicated public servant… now offered to the next grateful collector who will appreciate its beauty and story. A reminder that art, like people, can find redemption and second chances. #PrisonArt #Kirkwood #SignedArt #FramedArt #RareFind

Condition

Used (normal wear)

Type

Water Color Painting “Outside Art”