Evening Primrose from Alcatraz Island

This year for the first time, the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists is collaborating with the Gardens of Alcatraz to build a florilegium, or collection of botanical paintings, to document the species of the island.  Many of the botanical subjects survived years of neglect to persist from the island's prison past.

As a NCalSBA member, I toured the gardens in March and chose the 'Pink Evening Primrose' (Oenothera speciosa) for my subject.  It was located on the windy side of the island in the 'Prisoner Gardens.'  I completed the color pencil painting below earlier this summer and was recently informed my piece was accepted for the florilegium. A giclée print of the drawing will be on display this fall and will also remain permanently in Alcatraz's collection.

11" x 14" - color pencil on Stonehenge paper

"The initial exhibition of Alcatraz Florilegium images will be in the Alcatraz Prison Band Rehearsal Room, September 1 – December 31, 2013 and will be open to all island visitors."