Jodi Elias is serving a life sentence in Arizona for murdering her on-again, off-again boyfriend in 2008, but that hasn’t stopped her from selling her art online for thousands of dollars.
The convicted murderer, who turned 44 this week, is with his family. Website and Instagram page Of her work.
Arias says on his website that he is not currently accepting requests, but confirmed on Instagram that he recently painted a cow after “someone asked me to draw a cow for their office which I just couldn’t say no to.”
Arias writes that one of the prison guards was very meticulous in the painting process.
“Officers were curious about the painting’s progress and kept asking me about the progress of ‘Grandma,'” she wrote in the caption.
“She said it so many times I knew it was the title!”
Her work doesn’t come cheap: An original acrylic painting titled “Beyond the Horizon” sells for $2,500, according to her website. Prints of her work range from $28 to $39.
She also sells a collectible set of postcards for $34.95.
Alias is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder after being convicted of killing Travis Alexander in his Mesa home in 2008. She is not eligible for parole.
Prosecutors alleged that Arias attacked Alexander because she was jealous of Alexander’s plans to travel to Mexico with another woman. Evidence presented at trial showed Alexander suffered 27 stab wounds, a slashed throat and a gunshot wound to the head.
Police searched Alexander’s home and found his digital camera in the washing machine, and were able to recover deleted images of Arias and Alexander in sexual poses.
A photograph taken shortly afterwards showed Alexander on the bathroom floor “bleeding profusely.”
Arias admitted to killing Alexander, 30, but claimed she acted in self-defense because Alexander had attacked her.
The guilt phase of Arias’ trial ended in 2013, when jurors found him guilty but could not agree on whether to impose the death penalty.
The second sentencing trial began in late 2014 and continued into early 2015, again with the jury unable to reach a consensus, which resulted in the judge having to sentence Arias to life in prison without parole.
The case became a media circus, with salacious and violent details about Alias and Alexander broadcast live around the world, and Alias became one of America’s most notorious criminal defendants.
Many states have “Son of Sam” laws to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes, but there is no direct connection between Arias’ work and Alexander’s murder.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry said it was aware of Arias’ side business but did not find it to be in violation of the law.
On Arias’ website, her family writes that proceeds from her artwork will be used to purchase more materials. “Ten percent of proceeds will be donated to a selected nonprofit organization,” the website states. “A portion of these funds will support Jodie’s advocacy efforts.”
Arias is unavailable for interviews while in prison, and she has not responded to a letter sent by The Washington Post.
