A former soldier who turned to heroin dealing has transformed his life into that of a successful artist after discovering his passion during a 13-year prison term. Kevin Devonport, who left the Army at 21, fell into a cycle of crime and drug addiction. However, he managed to turn his life around, winning several awards, exhibiting his work in London, earning a university degree, and establishing a studio in Leeds.

At 35, Devonport was apprehended for selling heroin in 2007, marking him as a self-identified “career criminal” with three prior prison sentences. Facing the possibility of another long sentence, he heeded the advice of a fellow inmate: “don’t serve time, let time serve you.” This prompted him to utilize his incarceration constructively. “I really wanted to sort my life out by then,” he said.

Devonport enrolled at the Open University and graduated with first-class honors in sociology. However, it was a painting class organized by the charity Care After Combat that truly altered his path. “I was never really an arty person,” he admitted, noting that while he appreciated art, he never thought he could create it himself. Yet, he found himself thriving in the class and connected deeply with painting.

His initial artwork—a simple landscape—may not have been his finest piece, but it marked the beginning of his artistic journey. Surprisingly, while still incarcerated, he won his first national award for his art. “It’s not been a conscious decision; it’s like life has directed me that way,” he reflected.

Post-release in 2014 was not without its challenges as Devonport faced stigma and struggled to reintegrate into society. His last encounter with the law occurred in 2018 when he was imprisoned for cultivating cannabis. As a father to eight-year-old Sinead, Devonport credits art for providing stability and inspiration; his first exhibition was titled “Unlabelled.” He expressed feelings of alienation upon re-entering society: “Being an artist gives me a sense of who I am; it’s given me something to attach to.”

His work often explores themes related to identity and personal experiences from both military service and the justice system. Devonport describes his art as storytelling where each object carries significance. Currently, some of his latest pieces are showcased at Leadenhall Market in London as part of an exhibition called “Nothing Ordinary Here,” and he continues to create at Assembly House in Armley, Leeds.

Though his journey into art was unconventional, he embraces all aspects of his past: “The things I’ve done with my life experiences have made me who I am.” Through this transformation, Devonport believes that his history has enriched his artistry.