Two Rivers Correctional Institution inmate Gifford Lee never knew he could draw until he picked up a few colored pencils to use for doodling after he entered prison.

For the past several years, Lee has used colored wax pencils to create intricately detailed drawings of wildlife scenes, animals, planes, flowers and more that he regularly sends to family and friends upon completion. He originally picked up the activity as a way to bide time in prison.

Its just something I do to pass the time, Lee said. Thats what Ive done to keep busy.

In his 13 years incarcerated at TRCI, Lee said he has probably completed more than 1,000 drawings.

I look through a lot of magazines and kind of pick out what I want to do, he said.

About six of his paintings were displayed during TRCIs annual Families Aiding in Rehabilitation picnic alongside a variety of other works of art. At the event, many of Lees visiting family members said they have enjoyed seeing him improve in his craft through the years and that they have all amassed quite a collection.

He will send us a little bit of everything, from birthday cards to full drawings, Lees granddaughter Amanda Andrew said Saturday at the picnic. We have developed quite a collection. It has been neat to see him get better and better. He is actually really artistic, but this is the only way he can really express that in here.

Madison Mallory, one of Lees other granddaughters, said one of her favorite drawings of Lees is probably a portrait of a wolf.

It is extremely detailed, she said.

Lees daughter Michelle Mallory said she really enjoyed a drawing he did of a scene in Italy. She said she had originally sent him a photo of some lamps in Italy, but he took it to the extreme by adding a whole Italian background.

He replicated not only the lamps, but the whole scene of Italy in the background, she said.

Lee draws almost every day. He said, when he started, however, he had no idea his art would inspire other inmates start creating, as well.

One of Lees greatest friends at TRCI, Mikkel Cross, said he picked up the hobby after watching Lee create awesome works of art. Like Lee, Cross said he started to use drawing as a way to pass the time, and, through the years, his work has improved.

Lee recently had Cross draw him a portrait of his father.

Its very realistic, he said. He did an amazing job.

Cross said he really had no idea he would be as good at drawing as he is prior to entering prison, and if he hadnt been incarcerated he probably would not have known he could be so good at it.

I never thought I could draw, not at all, he said. Ive been at TRCI since 2007, and I draw a little bit every day. I did a little bit of doodling in school, but I had no idea I could ever do anything like this … I like seeing the outcome of the things I draw.

Several other inmates at TRCI also had their drawings on display at the picnic, including Joe Parker, who displayed a couple of life-like traditional Native American drawings.

Ive been doing artwork for about the past eight years, he said. It is all self-taught.

Parker said he originally picked up the hobby after being sent to TRCI, and his favorite things to draw are Native American art pieces. He said he likes to embrace his Comanche heritage and bring out the beauty of his people.

I try to bring out what I like of my own culture, he said. I try to take it natural and traditional. I dont do a lot of regalia.

Parker said it took him about the first three years to find his own style.

Ive probably done a good 50 to 60 paintings and drawings since Ive been in here, he said. I like to send them to people. Its something I enjoy doing in my spare time. It helps me unwind and keeps me grounded.

Correctional counselor Shawn Gibbs said the artwork allows inmates to share a skill they learned while in prison with their families and the outside world.

Most picked up the hobby after they came to prison, she said. They are able to share their artwork with everybody.

Correctional counselor Dessa Myrick said she is currently in talks with Steve Williams of the Hermiston Rotary to see if they can organize a Pay it Forward program that would allow inmates to auction off their artwork and other pieces, such as wood and metal work, to raise scholarship funds for their children.

We are just in the discussion stages about it right now, but we want them to be able to share those skills with the community so they show they have something to contribute when they get out, she said.