Gerardo Vizcarra, a 77-year-old resident of San Quentin, has been painting with watercolors since he was seven years old. 

Vizcarra created a watercolor portrait of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. According to the artist, when the governor visited San Quentin, he was allowed to personally give the portrait to Newsom. 

“While the governor was walking out of the chapel I walked up to him and said, ‘Mr. Newsom, it will be my honor if you accept this.’ I was shy and I walked away because I didn’t want the publicity,” said Vizcarra. “As I walked away the governor spoke out to me and told me ‘thank you buddy.’” 

Vizcarra was motivated to do the portrait because he felt that Newsom was an important politician to San Quentin; he feels no other governor has pushed rehabilitation programs as strongly as Newsom has. The new learning center, which Newsom was visiting, gives the incarcerated a better chance to function in society upon release.

Most of Vizcarra’s art demonstrates his democratic-socialist values, which he highlights in his favorites figures.   

According to Vizcarra, he appreciates U.S. and Latin American history, which is what drives him to draw two controversial figures: Fidel Castro and Cienfuegos. He stated that Cienfuegos was third in command during the Cuban revolution, and fought battles for Castro. He believes that Cienfuegos was responsible for sinking an American vessel in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion during the Kennedy administration.  

Vizcarra shared that he has been sailing for over 40 years. He embraces his roots and identity with a painting of a sailboat reminiscent of first boat he purchased, a man that represents himself, and a lighthouse on the U.S. / Mexico border.

The Newsom portrait took Vizcarra about a month to complete. In the portrait, the governor is smiling. In the background, Vizcarra sketched the West Block housing unit at San Quentin. Newsom is surround by the multiple stars in reference to his White House ambitions. 

Vizcarra frequently depicts different scenes of the late Malcolm X against a scenery of New York City buildings. Vizcarra feels that Malcolm X is a person who always fought for social justice for those who couldn’t speak up for themselves and their communities. “I am not a Muslim, but I felt the need to give honor to a man who did a lot of good things,” he said.  

He concluded that art helps him forget that he is incarcerated. At his age, it also helps him to stay sharp and creative.