inside and outside the park
Local artist and naturalist Shirley Spencer holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies, specializing in Sierra Nevada Natural History. She has lived, worked and played in Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada since 1979.
Her enthusiasm for the intricate details of natural world is contagious, as she blends scientific knowledge with genuine excitement In both formal and informal settings. In addition to Yosemite, she has also taught at many other national parks, including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches.
Shirley is a master in watercolor, creating bold, vibrant and stylized images of our familiar national treasures. In 2016 she won the top prize in the Yosemite Conservancy's annual Art from the Park contest for her watercolor of Yosemite Valley, rendered in a stained-glass style.
Her skill with watercolor extends to scientifically-accurate illustration as well; her book Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada is both practical and beautiful!
Always the teacher, she has recently been offering popular hands-on watercolor classes to the general public.
for hikes
for climbers, by climbers
You can find her art and publications in and around the park, and online too of course. If you prefer to wear your favorite art, her beautiful Yosemite-inspired creations are available on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and even hats, for both men and women.
Yosemite
with some original art!
An avid hiker, backpacker, skier, scuba diver and mountaineer, Shirley has taught rock climbing skills with her husband Mark. And as if all of that was not enough, Shirley also happens to be an accomplished vocalist, guitarist and organic farmer!
Honestly, when does she sleep?