See Paulette Donnellon’s tribute to Southern California’s Anza-Borrego State Park at the California Nature Art Museum in Solvang. Untamed Desert will be up through Jan. 18 at the Valley Oak Gallery.
“The desert has always held a special place in my heart,” Donnellon said in press materials. “In my work as a nature and wildlife photographer, I’ve learned that if you slow down, really look, and connect with your surroundings, you will discover a vibrant world full of stories ready to be told.”
Donnellon is drawn to capturing the hidden stories found in intense desert life. Her patience and hours in the field allow her to snap photographs that honor the landscape.
“From the powerful, sure-footed climb of a desert bighorn sheep along rugged ridgelines, to the alert, wide-eyed stance of a burrowing owl guarding its sandy doorway, each image reflects Donnellon’s deep reverence for this arid landscape,” the museum announced. “More than a visual journey, this exhibition is a celebration of the park’s wild spirit and a reminder that even in the harshest environments, beauty endures.”
Visit the museum on weekdays (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s located at 1511-B Mission Drive in Solvang. Find more information at calnatureartmuseum.org.
This article appears in August 6 – August 13, 2026.
