Johnny Arellano speaks of his transformation, both as a person and as an artist.

He began his artistic endeavors drawing flowers, hearts and unicorns for his and fellow inmates’ loved ones while incarcerated in Whatcom and Island County jails. Many of his first works were created with a rubber-encased pen — he explained that this was a safety precaution to avoid inmates using usual ball-point pens as shanks. Instead of a studio, Arellano had his cell.

Rather than an easel, he had envelopes and scrap paper.

His drawings, several of which are now framed in his home, served as a means of expressing his affection for his new wife and her children on the outside.

Another of his works hangs in the office of Mighty to Save Ministries, an organization Arellano credits with much of his success in addiction recovery and life improvement.

“I wanted to give them a piece of my mind,” Arellano joked, referring to the drawing which he completed shortly after meeting Christina Bowling, Mighty to Save Ministries founder.

“That’s when my transformation started,” he said. “I had some traumatic things happen in my life, and was looking at some serious time. I ended up giving my life to God … because to me, I thought, if I’m going to prison for a long time I don’t want to be the same guy I was now.”

Arellano and his wife, Jodi Bruce, are two of several former addicts and inmates whose work will be showcased at the Inmate Art Auction to benefit Mighty to Save Ministries, an organization that aims to help addicts in their recovery process while spreading the word of Christ.

The auction is composed of 73 pieces of various media from pencil sketches to paintings and sculptures. The event will take place Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.

Bowling said she came up with the idea for an auction after receiving numerous gifts from inmates and others she worked with.

Another Whidbey artist, Kevin Rollyson, also known as Reno, will have pieces for sale at the auction. Rollyson’s works are vivid paintings stylized similar to the tattoos he was known for prior to his incarceration.

Arellano said the show is a demonstration of the many positive things inmates and recovering addicts are capable of.

It is also a testament to the success of Mighty to Save Ministries, he added.

“The main goal is to make an impact, a positive impact,” Arellano said. “If I can do it, anyone can.”

Funds raised from the auction will go towards Mighty to Save Ministries programs and the future establishment of a sober living house and year-long treatment program.

According to Bowling, it’s an investment in individuals.

Each week, Bowling and others stop by jails for clergy visits and hold addiction recovery support groups.

At the moment, the ministry is working with approximately 30 inmates throughout Washington State, two of whom are incarcerated in Island County.

Arellano and his wife both attest to the healing nature of art and the transformative power of the ministry’s program.

Arellano has changed completely, Bruce said. Both she and Arellano are proud to note that they hold steady jobs, have been sober for over three years and are involved in numerous positive, healthful activities as a couple and as a family.

Drawing and painting has remained a consistent form of meditation for both Bruce and her husband, she said. During his incarceration, each of them found solace  in creative expression and continue to do so today.

“It’s my meditation time,” said Bruce, who will be showing her piece “Night Peace,” a landscape drawing.

“I think it’s a passion, and oftentimes when people are addicted they lose their identity because they are so focused on getting high,” said Bowling. “It’s rediscovering who they are through art.”