Life on the High Plains

This weekend I put up the money and attended an Encaustic Painting workshop with a professional artist at our local Fine Arts Center. So what is encaustic painting? It involves applying layers and layers of colored wax to a wood surface. Each layer is fused with a hot gun or a propane torch--not a blow dryer because that doesn't get hot enough. For one of my pieces I started with a simple sketch of a sunflower--my favorite flower in case you're wondering. Beeswax is mixed with various pigments and heated in individual containers on an electric grill.  The temperature of the medium needs to be between 180 and 220 degrees.  If it gets over 220 degrees then it become a danger to the artist's health as the wax beads can be inhaled into the lungs. There has to be all kinds of ventilation in an encaustic studio.  There are all kinds of fumes that you don't want to be around.  Above you can see my second piece which is a stand of Colorado ...

A picture is worth a thousand words. January 21, 2017 - Denver, Colorado - 40,000 were expected, over 200,000 women, men and children showed up for a day of peaceful protesting. "Men make the moral code and they expect women to accept it. They have decided that it is entirely right and proper for men to fight for their liberties and their rights, but that it is not right and proper for women to fight for theirs."    **Emmeline Pankhurst “It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.”   **Leonardo da Vinci   Happy Skywatch Friday!

Last night Irv and I went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  While we were waiting for our table this guy sat down next to us and pulled out a bag filled with markers, paper, pencils, etc.  He was a caricature artist. Do you ever get that sinking feeling in your stomach when you know what's about to happen?  I made eye contact with him and the next thing I know he's sketching Irv and I. A couple minutes later our table was ready so Irv went off to claim it while I stayed and waited for him to finish it.  I'm not sure who this blonde-haired guy is, but at least the blue eyes are right.  It was kind of fun.  Anyway, it was another gift card dinner courtesy of my brother and his wife.  Thanks guys! Speaking of my brother, on Saturday he posted something really nice on Facebook.  He posted that he supported my decision to participate in the Women's March in Denver.  To have his support knowing that he comes from a very red, Oklahoma me...

Today I decided to see if I could do a Bob Ross thirty minute painting. I started with a palette of 4 colors-black, white, and two shades of blue. A blank canvas and Bob Ross on a video. ` About an hours and half later (yes, I had to stop the video multiple times) this is what I have.  I had a real hard time getting a good shot of it because of all the blues.  Not too bad for an afternoon's work.

Yesterday was a great day and a disturbing day all at the same time. Mary and I got up at the crack of dawn to board the buses headed to Denver to participate in the Women's March on Denver.  Am I one who would normally protest?  No.  Have I ever protested a Republican president before?  No.  It was an overwhelming and emotional day.  Peaceful marches across this country and around the world.  Being a witness to the solidarity amongst women who only want equal rights--equal pay, the right to control their own reproductive choices, and access to health care. Yesterday morning started off really nice.  A friend of my spouse's family, who has polar opposite political beliefs, posted a message on Facebook saying something to the effect of "Ellen, I hope in the next few years this President will change your mind".  I replied saying that was my hope also.  I thought it was a great extension of an olive branch.  However, the remark...

The time has finally arrived for the Women's March on Denver.  Mary and I will be attending on Saturday to fight for the rights of women around the world. The days following the election were tough.  How in the world could our country have elected that man who has no respect for women?  And even more disturbing, how could those millions of people voted for him after the comments he made concerning women and minorities?  When it was announced that there would be a March in Washington the day following the inauguration, I was ready to book my flight and hotel room.  Then the movement spread across the country and the world.  So now all I have to do is get on a bus and go to Denver--much more pleasant than traveling across country. For me, this march is not about protesting Trump.  He's the president, I've accepted that.  It's about the treatment that women endure every day.  From our reproductive rights to the 78 cents we earn on the do...

So, here it is the middle of January and I've yet to live up to my resolution to be a more frequent blogger.  I know everyone claims to be so busy these days, but my life has been out of control for months now.  This was the first weekend in months that I had no plans and no obligations.  On Saturday I invited Irv on a date following my art class.  This was our "gift card" date. First, I finally finished my green bicycle.  I signed my name to it that signifies its completion.  I have to say that this is probably my favorite piece so far and by far the most detailed. Then there was lunch at Colorado Hacienda, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Colorado Springs.  Lunch was courtesy of a gift card from my boss. Then onto a little boutique for some shopping.  I found myself a cu te cardigan.  A nice gift from a friend and former co-worker. Then it was onto Sears to redeem a couple more gift car...

It's that time of year again--National Western Stock Show which means it's time for the 4-H Western National Roundup Horse Judging contest.  This is the fourth year that I've been asked to tabulate. The contestants were at the Denver Coliseum bright and early.  They can't talk to anyone during the entire contest and they're spaced out in the stands to make it fair and square. The previous day was extremely cold and snowy so many of the people bringing horses chose not to show up.  Luckily one barn was there that provided horses for almost all the classes--mostly the same four horses.  I really can't blame anyone for not wanting to haul horses on icy roads--I wouldn't do it. I wondered around the innards of the Coliseum and found this beautiful wagon.  I wish I were here to see the Clydesdale team pull it. My camera decided it wasn't going to take any action shots no matter how much I fiddled with the settings. It is ...

We made a quick trip to New Mexico last weekend.  The Sandia Mountains sit directly east of Albuquerque.  The highest point is a little over 10K feet (small mountains by Colorado standards).  These are the mountains I grew up with and I'll always love them. Speaking about loving something from New Mexico, how about these enchiladas?   Blue corn tortilla cheese enchiladas with green chili, posole, and pinto beans.  Now that's a reason to visit New Mexico! If you're ever in Santa Fe, make sure you stop at The Shed.  You'll have to wait, but it's definitely worth it! Happy Skywatch Friday!