The Messengers

Drawing New Mexico’s Birds: From Sketch to Watercolor

With Liz Archuleta 

Sunday / August 24th / 1:00pm-3:00pm

Course Description: 

In this workshop, students will learn to draw three iconic birds found in New Mexico—the sandhill crane, the Mexican scrub jay, and the grackle—using simple shapes as a foundation. Through guided practice, students will sketch each bird multiple times on drawing paper before transferring their final outlines to watercolor paper.

Once transferred, the focus will shift to painting techniques, with a special emphasis on using watercolor washes to create depth and realistic textures. Along the way, students will explore proportion, form, and how to capture the personality of each bird.

More than just an art class, this workshop also touches on ecology and natural history. Students will discover fascinating facts about the birds they’re painting—like how the grackle, once revered by royalty in central Mexico, became an invasive species across the Americas. Posters and fact cards in the classroom will share insights into how climate change and human activity have impacted bird populations.

By the end of the session, students will leave not only with finished watercolor pieces but also with the skills to observe and draw birds they encounter in the wild.

**Participants are encouraged to watch the documentary The Messengers and read Daphne DuMaurier’s, “The Birds”, prior to the workshop. While I’ll have a variety of bird books available for reference, students are also welcome to bring their own field guides—especially Audubon books—to support their sketches and observations.

Materials: 

• Pencils

• Sketch paper

• Watercolor paper

• Watercolor pencils

• Watercolor paints

• Variety of brushes (small to medium recommended)

• Kosher salt (for texture effects)

• Spray bottle (for watercolor techniques)

• Hair dryer (optional, for faster drying)

About the Artist: 

For decades, painting has been more than just an art form for me—it’s been a vessel for storytelling, memory, and environmental advocacy. My parents recognized and nurtured this passion early on, supporting me with private lessons and museum visits that helped shape my creative voice and deepen my sense of purpose.

Today, I identify as a water protector. My artistic practice is grounded in the belief that water is life—a truth that flows through every brushstroke. I hike across the Southwest, gathering water from sacred and endangered sources, including the Rio Grande, and integrate it directly into my work. In doing so, each painting becomes a living archive—honoring place, spirit, and the urgent call of environmental stewardship.

The Rio Grande, a lifeline for generations of people and ecosystems, now faces serious threats from climate change, overuse, and persistent drought. In recent years, sections of the river have run dry, even through parts of Albuquerque.

Through my art, I strive to raise a call for protection—of our waters, our cultures, and our shared future. Each piece invites viewers to pause, to remember, and to act—so that the rivers may continue to flow, and our traditions may continue to thrive.

*This workshop is held in our downstairs classroom, which is not accessible to wheelchairs and some other mobility devices.

No refunds past August 21st