PAINT PORTAL

BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA | NOVEMBER 18-22, 2026 | LIMITED TO 10 PAINTERS

Hello My Beautiful Painter,

All the great spiritual traditions have their humble, purest beginnings in the desert.

That's why every year, in November, I slip into a Paint Portal deep in the desert to escape the noise and move closer to the essence of life.

While in a Paint Portal, everything is dripping in meaning and metaphor. An ordinary glass of orange juice suddenly glistens with magic. Oracles are hidden in plain sight directly in my paintings.

And here's the thing:

A Paint Portal is simple: show up with paint, some beloved brushes, and a sincere intention to listen deeply, paint wildly, and be fully present to your Artist Soul.

And yes, the desert definitely helps.

Last November my dear friend Chris Zydel gifted me a space in her Borrego Springs retreat for my birthday. I packed up my brushes and drove to the heart of the Anza-Borrego desert in California.

Oh my GAWD—Borrego Spring's large expressive sky. Those amethyst-colored mountains and hello gorgeous ochre-speckled brush. Will you marry me?

My entire Artist Soul exhaled with pure delight the moment I pulled into town.

The landscape is also home to 130 iron sculptures by the artist Ricardo Breceda. There's a large dragon that weaves in and out of the sandy ground.

After spending only moments with her, my whole body of work took a pivotal turn and my 2026 FACETS program was born.

This November 18th-22nd, I'm creating a Paint Portal in Borrego Springs—just for you, my Beautiful Painter.

Five days to release the old, root into your Artist Soul, and invite in what's next. We'll paint together. A lot. We'll also workshop, mentor, discuss, and sit with what wants to come through.

Each morning begins at 9:30 AM. The days are full. The work is deep. The desert holds us.

This is your chance to step away from the noise, the obligations, the constant pull of everything that isn't your art.

Come escape to the desert with me,

IMPORTANT DETAILS

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18th - Sunday, November 22nd, 2026

TIME: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Wednesday - Saturday), 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Sunday). Lunch is included Wednesday through Saturday and begins at 12:30 PM. Lunch is not included on Sunday.

WHERE: A private residence & studio in Borrego Springs, California. The address will be emailed to you in the official welcome email you receive immediately after registering.

SUPPLIES PROVIDED: Acrylic tempera paints, large Bristol paper, apron, palette, water containers, tape, and easels.

SUPPLIES YOU MUST BRING: Paintbrushes, collage ephemera, adhesive, sketchbook, oil pastels, and studio log. A suggested supply list will be included in your welcome email.

IS PAINT PORTAL RIGHT FOR YOU?

PAINT PORTAL IS PERFECT FOR...

Artists in search of mentorship that fosters authenticity, honesty, and vulnerability in their art. At Paint Portal, you'll receive INDIVIDUALIZED guidance and mentorship to develop a body of work that not only enhances your artistic practice but also nurtures a deeper relationship with yourself as an artist. Your creations will reflect, explore, and draw inspiration from themes that hold personal significance to you.
Artists yearning for dedicated time to sink deeply into their creative process, and the space to allow their work to unfold naturally at its own cadence and rhythm.
Artists comfortable with independently crafting a body of work, familiar with generating their own ideas, setting creative goals, and selecting materials. However, they yearn for the magical experience of creating in community in a picturesque setting and dream of having support.
Artists who fiercely love painting and are committed to continuous growth and evolution in their artistic journey.
Artists who embrace experimentation, taking risks, and seek-out the awe and wonder found in their creative process.
Artists who find value in guided visualizations and contemplative journaling, using these tools to deepen their connection with their work and nurture their imaginative spirit.
Artists who believe there is more to making art than just creating pretty pictures —they prefer to linger in the deeper currents of their creativity.

PAINT PORTAL IS NOT WELL SUITED FOR...

Artists at the beginner level. Participants should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in art-making and feel adept at working independently.
Artists seeking an art vacation filled with site-seeing and numerous tourist activities. Paint Portal is a painting immersive held in an inspiring environment, where all our time and energy is focused on creating a body of work.
Artists seeking technical or step-by-step instruction or aiming to emulate Connie's artistic style.
Artists who solely turn to art as a means of coping with life's challenges or processing emotions. While Paint Portal is inherently healing, it is not intended as a therapeutic space for addressing trauma or deep emotional issues.
Artists who pursue art primarily as a hobby or leisure activity. Paint Wisdom dives deeply into the context and significance of our art within our creative journey. Those without an established creative practice may find the retreats overwhelming.
Artists who shy away from engaging in meaningful discussions on art or participating in guided visualizations.

SCHEDULE & WHAT TO EXPECT

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Welcome, Orientation, & Workshop
12:30 - 2:30 PM Lunch & Break
2:30 - 5:00 PM Open Studio

Thursday, November 19, 2026
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Workshop
12:30 - 2:30 PM Lunch & Break
2:30 - 5:00 PM Open Studio

Friday, November 20, 2026
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Workshop
12:30 - 2:30 PM Lunch & Break
2:30 - 5:00 PM Open Studio

Saturday, November 21, 2026
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Workshop
12:30 - 2:30 PM Lunch & Break
2:30 - 5:00 PM Open Studio & Cleaning Up

Sunday, November 22, 2026
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM VISIONS
12:00 - 12:30 PM Closing & Farewells

WORKSHOPS

My workshops for Paint Portal will consist of juicy discussions, creative exercises, and small group projects intended to expand the way you view your painting practice, support your body of work, deepen your intuitive decision making, and simply have fun!

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING

At Paint Portal you can expect loads of daily one-on-one mentoring where I will meet with you individually and review your work by providing gentle constructive feedback, a different perspective, and inquiry to help you think deeper about the meaning, voice , and reception of your work. I will support you and challenge you to take risks, be more bold in expressing yourself honestly in your work.

GROUP MENTORING

One of my favorite forms of mentoring is group mentoring where including various points-of-views and insights adds to the richness of our process as artists. At Paint Portal we are guided by a set of communal guidelines that ensures each artist, no matter where they are in their development and journey, is held and met with kindness, curiosity, and an environment that respects diverse backgrounds, beliefs, political views, and faiths.

OPEN STUDIO

Open studio will be a designated time to work in the studio uninterrupted. I, Connie, will be there providing support, feedback, and mentorship — but this is a time for you to really sink into your process wholeheartedly.

VISION

Our final Paint Portal Visions are held on Sunday where each artist will have 11 minutes to share their body of work and receive valuable insight and feedback on it from Connie and the artists in Paint Portal.

WHAT IS INCLUDED & NOT INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION

INCLUDED IN YOUR BORREGO SPRINGS PAINT PORTAL

Workshop instruction, individualized one-on-one and group mentoring from Connie Solera.
An intimate glimpse into Connie Solera's process
Acrylic tempera paints, large Bristol paper, apron, palette, water containers, tape, and easels.
Four lunches (Wednesday - Saturday), beverages, and snacks.
Pre-trip notes and guidelines.
A collectible apron
Loads of fun surprises and hand-picked goodies from Connie.
Friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
A body of work that will make your cells sizzle.

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR BORREGO SPRINGS PAINT PORTAL

Lodging
Airfare
Ground travel
Travel insurance
Breakfast and dinner

SUPPLIES YOU NEED TO BRING

Paintbrushes
Collage ephemera
Adhesive
Oil pastels
Sketchbook
Studio log

LOCATION INFORMATION

Paint Portal is being held in Borrego Springs, California in a lovely straw bail house that is used as a painting oasis! The address will be inside the welcome email you receive after registering.

At Paint Portal there are three areas dedicated to painting: a very large garage that opens to the desert, a palm covered veranda facing the mountains, and various places throughout the house for a more private studio experience. No matter where your studio is you will always be cool and out of the sun as you paint.

Paint Portal is limited to 10 painters to ensure that everyone receives Connie's individualized support, guidance, and mentorship.

Borrego Springs is a quiet, unincorporated desert resort community in San Diego County, California, completely surrounded by the 600,000+ acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It is a "no stoplight town", with it's nearest traffic light 50 miles away.

Borrego Springs is located in the Colorado Desert, approximately 78 miles northeast of San Diego and 30 miles west of the Salton Sea.

Known as California's first International Dark Sky Community, it is a premier destination for stargazing, hiking, and viewing metal sculptures by Ricardo Breceda.

LODGING & MEALS

LODGING

Lodging is NOT included in your Paint Portal registration and on site lodging is NOT available at the location where we will be painting.

Though there are a number of hotels, resorts, and AirBNBs available in the town of Borrego Springs.

Please be sure to reserve your place EARLY as November is peak tourist season in Borrego Springs and spaces fill up quickly.

MEALS

Lunch will be provided Wednesday through Saturday as part of your Paint Portal registration. We will order in from one of the fabulous local restaurants.

You will be able to choose your own lunch from one of their menus before an order is placed each day.

Breakfast and dinner will NOT be provided, but there are several great places to eat in town, including a grocery store with a variety of pre-made meals too.

TIPS FOR AIR TRAVEL & GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Air travel and ground transportation are NOT included in your Paint Portal registration.

PLEASE NOTE that Borrego Springs does not have public transportation and Uber and Lyft are highly limited due to Borrego Springs being such a small remote town.

You will need a car to get around.

If you are interested in car pooling, please let us know immediately after registering and we will do our best to connect you with other painters interested in car pooling as well.

NEAREST AIRPORTS

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately a 2 hour drive away from Borrego Spring.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is approximately a 90 minute drive from Borrego Springs, but with far less flights arriving here.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately a 3.5 hour drive to Borrego Springs.

TRAVEL INSURANCE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Travel insurance is strongly encouraged for attending your BORREGO SPRINGS PAINT PORTAL to cover any complications, illnesses, or injuries that may occur. This includes situations where you need to cancel because you contracted COVID or are showing symptoms. Do your research before purchasing; we recommend World Nomads or Trawick International. It's best to purchase travel insurance sooner rather than later to receive full coverage.
You will be required to sign a release form before attending.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

November 18-22, 2026 | Borrego Springs, California | $1,998

A DEPOSIT OF $1,000 WILL HOLD YOUR SPACE

MAKE A DEPOSIT $1,000

YOUR DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE.
YOUR FINAL BALANCE OF $998 IS DUE BY AUGUST 31, 2026

PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.
YOUR DEPOSIT ACTS AS AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS & POLICIES LISTED BELOW.

BASIC DETAILS

STARTS: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 with orientation, setting up our studios, and a workshop.

ENDS: Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM.

PLACE: A private residence and studio located in Borrego Springs, California. The address will be included in the welcome email you receive immediately after registering.

COST: $1,998 USD

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 10 ARTISTS.

LODGING, AIR TRAVEL, & GROUND TRANSPORTATION ARE NOT INCLUDED.

MOST ART SUPPLIES ARE INCLUDED. You will need to bring your paintbrushes, collage ephemera, oil pastels, adhesive, sketchbook, and studio log.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE, CANCELLATIONS, & REFUNDS

Registration for PAINT PORTAL | Borrego Springs is $1,998 USD

A Deposit of $1,000 will save your spot.

The remaining balance of $998 is due by or on Monday, August 31, 2026.

We will reach out to you before August 31st with a final invoice. If you are not paid in full by Tuesday, September 1, 2026 we reserve the right to offer your space to my waiting list and/or the public, and to retain your deposit.

Because registration is highly limited and significant planning goes into this event all deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS.

➡️ All cancellations must be done in writing by emailing Connie at Support@ConnieSolera.com.

If you need to cancel we will offer your space to our waitlist and the public. If your space is purchased we will refund your registration payment(s) minus a $250 cancellation fee. We can NOT guarantee that your space will sell. You also have the option to sell your space at a discounted price. If you choose to do so, you will be responsible to organize payment with the buyer.

➡️ In the case of acts of God, pandemic, disaster, war, border closure or unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to retain your fees and reschedule or make any necessary changes to the event.

➡️ If you need to cancel your trip or cannot attend due to illness, emergency, or any unforeseen circumstances or if you must leave the event due to illness, emergency, or any unforeseen circumstances, Connie Solera cannot provide any refund of any amounts you paid. It is highly encouraged that you purchase travel insurance coverage to provide protection from this possible risk.

CONFIRMATION & COMMUNICATION

Within 24 hours of making your deposit you will receive a welcome email. This is your registration confirmation and contains helpful info to help you start planning your trip to Italy. Please keep this email in a safe place. It is recommended that you print it out.
IMPORTANT: All retreat information will be emailed to the email address you used to register with. If you require the materials to be sent to an alternate email address, please email Support@ConnieSolera.com and let us know right away