LIBATIONS

Painting the Day We Went Straight to Alcatraz

By Dianne Boate & Robert Meyer
Published: April, 2007 

Our days are born at dawn like little buds; some blossom with promising adventure, and come to full flower at eventide with a sense of satisfaction, accompanied by a good glass of wine, or two.

Such was a beautiful day in March, when Dianne and 16 other intrepid botanical illustration artists under the leadership of Mary Harden, San Francisco Botanical Garden instructor, took the ferry to Alcatraz to spend the day painting the spring flowers that are in great abundance on the island. The objective was to portray the plant diversity for an Alcatraz exhibit coming in May.

At Pier 33, clusters of people hurried onto the ferry, anxious to get the adventure going. We pulled away on the dot with a roar of the engines. Right away, a pattern formed in the white froth of our wake, and another, on either side of the wake: blue-green diagonals of watery tresses that were soft and mesmerizing, like mermaid’s hair.

The seagulls followed diligently, happy to be getting their breakfast, while everyone was taking pictures of the rapidly retreating San Francisco skyline, and from the ferry, it looked like a dream, then an island itself, with water all around and a bridge at each end.

On shore, we were welcomed and told a brief history of the island, followed by the rules: This is government property, a pristine environment, and it is important that visitors understand about the designated eating place, about beverages and where the restrooms are, and what is off limits – the rookeries, for example, have nesting birds this time of year.

A sunny spacious room was designated for our painting headquarters a few feet away from old prison cells. Midday we were given a special tour and hike 120 steps up to the top of the working lighthouse (special permission required) where we braced ourselves on the small platform and inching our way around the circle back to the door.

Looking toward Alcatraz from San Francisco, spot the tower and the beacon. We were right under the bright light. It was unbelievable! To the right of the tower, on the southeast side, is a two story structure that provides a visual comparison of just how high the tower is.

We were so engrossed in taking in the scenery and painting all day that the subject of wine did not come up until we were packing to leave on the last ferry back across the Bay (4:30PM). It was then we stared to get thirsty.

We decided to go right to the Palamino Restaurant for happy hour, a hop and a skip down past a few piers, parking free at 5 PM, half price appetizers and libations choices for $2.99 each; and, we can promise you the pour is generous. It was a perfect end of an exciting day.

Good news! We have another day coming to paint on Alcatraz. Start chilling the wine.