Jack Carlton Reed
1930-2009
Jack Reed’s legacy
lives on through his role as a gifted artist who created an
impressive portfolio of pastel paintings over the past two
decades. Jack did so while serving life in prison for an
infamous crime related to his pilot work as a smuggler for the
world's largest drug trafficking operation at the time- the
Medellin Cartel. Once
behind bars, Jack became known as an exemplary prisoner,
evolving into a pacifist who is remembered as a role model of
kindness and wisdom.
“I have no history of art prior to coming to prison. After a
couple of years of absolute boredom- with nothing of interest to
me- an acquaintance who was going home left me his pastel
paraphernalia, which I had watched him work with- and I was
somewhat impressed.
“I started with a very simple painting of two swans in a pond.
Being cartoon like- with very little detail- it turned out
pretty well, encouraging me to attempt another- a tad more
difficult. After almost two decades, I have developed my own
technique to achieve as much realism as possible in my
paintings. I call them paintings, while others with more
knowledge may call them drawings. I don’t care what they are
called- I just enjoy doing them. I estimate that I have
produced more than four hundred paintings.
“I have never done a painting that I didn’t like- some, a little
more than others. When I select a subject to paint, it always
has some significance to me. Race car drivers that I admire;
celebrities that I find entertaining; the splendor of Nature;
homesteading scenes; old people with character and wisdom;
creatures for their beauty; sailboats for their freedom;
airplanes for their demanding skills; and so forth. You might
say that I attempt to portray in my paintings the visualization
of my soul. I am so pleased when I can stand back, look at a
finished painting, and say to myself, ‘Great job- that’s exactly
what I expected’. I seldom look at my paintings again-
rolled-up and stuffed away out of sight. Occasionally, if I mail
some, I’ll take another look, and I always feel a warm
gratification when I observe, what are to me, my lovely
creations.”
– Jack Reed
Jack found serenity in his
passionate newfound role of “artist”. As an infamous inmate,
Jack was known for his controversial past that included working
with Carlos Lehder - associate of legendary Drug Lord Pablo
Escobar and the notorious Medellin Cartel. During his lengthy
incarceration, the former renegade pilot evolved into a wise
spiritual pacifist. His colorful pastel paintings reflect his
favorite things in life- bringing color to not only a dreary
prison environment, but also infusing the free world with a
vibrancy that paints our lives with his soulful passion. Jack’s
colorful history and passionate spirit live on today through his
remarkable art.
