Original Signed Oil Painting on Canvas 11" x 14" By The Peace Artist

Without a vision, the people perish. I have a vision for the future concerning those in need…especially children. 98% of all death row inmates were incarcerated as children and teens. We have within our power the ability to turn the tide. To be the love that these children have missed out on. To be the mentors and role models for kids that have begun a lifestyle of bad choices…and perhaps keep them off death row as children or adults.

The first execution of a juvenile offender was in 1642 with Thomas Graunger in Plymouth Colony, Massachesetts. In the 360 years since that time, a total of approximately 365 persons have been executed for juvenile crimes, constituting 1.8% of roughly 20,000 confirmed American executions since 1608. Twenty-two of these executions for juvenile crimes have been imposed since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. These 22 recent executions of juvenile offenders make up about 2% of the total executions since 1976.

The death penalty for juvenile offenders appears to have been abandoned by nations everywhere in large part due to the express provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and of several other international treaties and agreements. Since 1990, juvenile offenders are known to have been executed in only seven countries: China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

According to this statistical summary, as of January 1, 2002 there were 3,711 inmates on death row, representing 39 jurisdictions1 (i.e. 37 states, federal, military). Males com- prised 98.54% of this population. States with the largest death row populations were California (607), Texas (455), Florida (386), Pennsylvania (247), and North Carolina (226).

What can I do about it? What can I do as an artist to help these children? What can I do to see that no child becomes a statistic…or a corpse?

My goal and intent is to sell art on eBay, and I have begun. I will use all proceeds from the sale of my art works to benefit homeless women and children, and to provide gymnastics instruction to those already incarcerated. Perhaps if I do what I am able, others will do what they can. Hopefully people will like the artwork that I am doing, and want to help to contribute to being the love in these young kids lives. If you are interested, please see my auction page at “peaceartist”, spelled all one word.