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Connect with the desert and your creativity! Unleash your inner artist in this hands-on watercolor painting workshop led by local artist Shirley Spencer. Whether you're a beginner or experienced painter, you'll learn how to beautifully capture Anza-Borrego’s unique landscape.
What to Expect:
Step-by-step instruction in watercolor techniques, composition, pigments, washes, design, and equipment usage
Inspiration from the desert’s natural beauty
A relaxed, creative atmosphere to explore your artistic side
All painting materials provided (optional to bring your own)
Take home your own desert-inspired masterpiece!
Casual, paint-friendly attire recommended
Who Should Attend:
Nature lovers with a creative spark
Beginner and experienced watercolor artists
Anyone looking to unwind and connect with the desert landscape through art
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Location: Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center (401 Tilting T Dr. Borrego Springs, CA 92004)
Cost:
ABF Member: $60
Non-Member: $71
Student: $36
Registration: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=5118dec3-bb31-4e14-a32c-98706b176292&envId=p-Of6JnJ-NDU-Ys4lsF7CG9w&zone=usa
Cancellation Policy & Scholarships: Please see our FAQs page to read our cancellation policy and learn about scholarship options.
What Past Participants Are Saying:
“Shirley was amazing. I've never seen one person give such a comprehensive introduction to Watercolor in such a short time. The location was beautiful and it was just a wonderful day to paint.”
“Shirley was a great instructor with a wealth of knowledge.”
Instructor:
Shirley Spencer earned her B.A. in Life Science and Biology from Pacific Union College and her Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Fresno Pacific University. She has published three books as an author and artist. Her book “Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada” was published by Heyday Books, with 40 of her original watercolors and scientific descriptions of each plant. “Our National Parks Alphabet Book” was published by Condor Designs to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service and includes vivid paintings of each park with endemic flora and fauna found in each iconic place. Her most recent book, “Living Among Giants; Botanical Treasures of a Sequoia Grove” was published in 2017 by Yosemite Conservancy. She divides her time between her winter haven in Borrego Springs, California and summer home in Fish Camp, California.
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