Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Intro To Oil Painting Workshop - Painting Dapple Grey - October 2025 to January 2026

 


And my 4th Oil painting class of the year. This one terrifies me, but I am going to do it. 

Here is my reference horse. 


I am doing 2 models - a Breyer Classic 1:12 scale Mustang mare and a Lori Daniels Artist Resin Bongo Miniature Horse. 

I prepped and primered them and put a couple of layers of acrylics down for tooth for the oils so it's not directly on the primer. 



Then I added the base oil layer after the first night's class - I went a little to dark so when this layer dries I will add a lighter layer over it and start on the dapples. 



I am glad there's two weeks between classes to take time to work on the many things I need to and for drying time. Here is my models after week 1. 





Week 2 - I was out of town so I had to wait to watch the replay of the class before I could work on my model. I was able to get one layer on. 



Week 3 - I attended this class, but I was having such a meltdown about ruining my model and I haven't been working on it since. 

Week 4 - This class was canceled and the class was extended by one more session. I am hoping to get out of my own way and be able to work on my model. I have found that when I am stressing from my work that my art suffers. And it is really suffering right now. 

It's been weeks since I worked on either model. The instructor had some family stuff going on and is rescheduling the classes, so I think that will be a big help for me so that I can get my head back together. I am sorry for all of her stuff and feel badly for her, but with my own mental drama, restarting at a later time I think will be good. 

The classes were rescheduled, and as of December 28, 2025 I still haven't touched a model horse. 

The classes were rescheduled for January 8 and January 22. I was not able to attend either of them. 

I have taken my 2 models and put them in plastic bags so they don't get dirty/dusty and have set them aside. I will try to do a dapple grey again another time when she holds a class. Perhaps I can get out of my own way by then. 






Ateez Concert - Phoenix - January 2026

 

Ateez Flame logo

Ateez is one of my favorite K-POP bands and I missed their In Your Fantasy tour in 2025 because I had too many other commitments and they were not close. 

Ateez band members


They advertised a VR tour and the closet was Phoenix. I thought what the heck, I haven't been to Phoenix in 15 years so let's go! 


Ateez VR Concert flyer

So I bought tickets, made flights, hotel, and rental car for January 21-24.


Gargoyle at DIA

Denver at Night from the Plane

Phoenix at Night from the plane

PHX Airport

I flew in Wednesday night, then got my rental car Thursday - I was a California Girl for a few days. 


Went to the Hall of Flame Fire Museum - AMAZING - well worth a trip to see. 



Took pictures of Cactus because..... ๐Ÿ˜…

Of course had to make a Walmart run to get Gluten Free Snacks and ended up spending WAY to much there on stuff Colorado doesn't have and I loved the solar panel covered lot! 


Then there was a Kpop Store that I went too, because yes KPOP! I was very disappointed in the store because they had hardly anything for the bands I like and tons of stuff for bands I am not a fan. 


Stayed at this adorable place! Loved it - great place. 



Got to the theatre and got my free items that came with my ticket. 



Free Stuff

Items I bought






You had to choose a band member so I closed my eyes and picked one and got Seonghwa, so the experience of the concert was center focused on him. 




It was a cool experience. I want to see them live, but this was good too! 

I found out they are adding dates and are coming to Denver in February so I am going to try to get to that one too! 

Then Flew home - Sunrise over phoenix airport


Sunset over Estes Park



Saturday, January 17, 2026

First People's Festival Estes Park - January 2026


 

2026 was the 3rd Annual First People's Festival in Estes Park. It's held at the Estes Park Convention Center Complex by the rodeo arena. 

It opened at 9 am and there were vendors from all over with goods made by Indigenous artisans. 

The Grand Entry started at 1 pm and was well attended by both dancers and guests learning about Indigenous culture.

Here are some pictures I took while there.