Assemblog of Michael deMeng

Friday, March 21, 2014

My Blog Moving

Hey gang

After all these years I'll be leaving Blogger and moving my blog posts to my website.

For future blog posts (and the old ones too) go here:

http://www.michaeldemeng.com/michaeldemeng/

See you there!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Some Dirty Rotten Eggs on Etsy

Some Dirty Rotten Eggs have busted out! Rumor has it they were seen on Esty, Waiting to be nabbed.
Click here you're interested in apprehending any of these Devilish Eggs at ETSY

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Method To My Madness. Registration Starts Now!!!!!

Method To My Madness
Starting April 19th I'm going to take students on a little trip into my studio. From beginning to end I'm going to let students tag along as I conceive and create a piece of art. We start off with the inspiration and design- I'll show students how I begin a piece and what I do to research and prepare. I'll then take students into the world of hunting and gathering- flea markets and trash bins for supplies. Maybe a stop off at an art store or two for other goodies. Next construction and paint. - watch me build and paint and finish. I'll be giving commentary during the process. Finally a final critique of what I've done. Not sure what I'm going to make yet…could be just about anything....but who knows?

Online Workshop Starts 4/19/14

Registration Starts Now!

$99.99

More Questions?
• How much does it cost? $99.99
• When does it begin? 4/19/14
• How does it differ from live class? Online classes allow for a bit more in depth explanations of techniques etc.
• Will there be video? A: Yes. I have about 180 of minutes of protected video that only students will be able to access.
• Will it be live? No. I will not be doing live video, but I will be setting up a Yahoo Group where I will be available to discuss your questions. However I each week I will record a video responding to all the questions posed in the Yahoo group.
• Can you tell me more about the Yahoo Group? Students can access this anytime and discuss issues with other students. A gallery is also available for students to share current and past works.
• Is the class segmented or do I get everything at once? I have designed the class so you will have access to all the information at once and can play with it as you like, at your own speed. New weekly videos will pop up with additional tidbits and tips.
• What kind of site is being used to host this class? I'm using a protected TypePad account. • How will I access the TypePad account? When class begins I will send out passwords and usernames to all the students.
• What else will be on the blog? Along with the Videos I will be posting the major questions as they come up, and the solutions. I will also do weekly video addressing these questions.
• Is this for Beginners or Advanced students? It's for everyone. I've made it so it is information that can be used by all levels.
• Will it be entertaining? Geez, I hope so. I will try and make it very un-dry and fun.
• How will you accept payment? PayPal.
• If you don't use PAYPAL...don't worry...we can work something out. Just send me and email. • What will happen after I sign up? I'll send you a confirmation to say "howdy" and then just sit back until I start the Yahoo group. At that point you'll get an email inviting you to join prior to class and meet some of the other students. Then on April 19th, I will send out the TypePad site, codes, etc.

• How do I sign up? A: Click the little button and you're off and running. WooHoo!

$99.99

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

deMeng de los Muertos 2014

Well it's that time of year when again…time for me to announce the annual deMeng de los Muertos workshop, where we head to Mexico to celebrate the Day of of the Dead. Here's what's in store:

The Workshop:

Plumed Serpents and Moon Goddesses in the Land of the Dead

Every time I return to Oaxaca something magical happens. In fact I know that more than a few people who have followed me down to this ancient land have experienced something that has touched their soul. Perhaps it is the richness of artistic tradition, or the kindness of the people or maybe it is the time of year, after all experiencing Dia de los Muertos is certainly a moving experience emotionally as well as visually. I suspect it is something more. This is a land with deep layers of history; where cultures meet and collide and a place where old gods linger even after being vanquished by the new ones. Here, history is alive and where even the very ancient feels ever so present.

In honor of the mystical, magical quality of Oaxaca, I thought it would be interesting to explore some of the myths and legends from Mexican culture. The gods are wondrous strange and the tales are even stranger. So for this class we will create assemblage constructions that represent a specific deity or myth from the region. It will be a bit of free for all…you can create whatever you like but with a theme in mind. To help you out I will start sending out stories about the various gods and heroes for a bit of inspiration. Quetzacoatl (the rain god), Mictlantecuhtli (the god of the underworld), and Coyolxauhqui (the moon goddess) are awaiting your arrival.

A message from the organizer Colleen Darling:

Join Michael for a workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico. Dia de los Muertos is one of the most beautiful celebrations in all of Mexico and Oaxaca is one of the best places to experience it firsthand. Oaxaca is a delightful, welcoming, historical, and culturally rich city in southern Mexico. The city is home to some of the finest folk artists in the world and abounds with ceramics, textiles, tin, woodcarvings, jewelry, and more. There is also an exciting contemporary art and photography community based here. The restaurants, luscious food, and friendly people make Oaxaca an amazing place to visit.

Throughout our 9-day stay, people around the city will be getting ready for Dia de los Muertos with every home and business setting up ofrendas and preparing for the feast. The city is buzzing with excitement that spills into the streets. The photo opportunities are endless. Each time you head out the door for the Zocalo or just a walk around the neighborhood something new will catch your attention. Flowers on the street corners, students competing in school ofrenda competitions, comparsas (parades) winding through the streets with traditional dancers, village bands and so much more!

We hope you can join us this year!

Colleen

Itinerary

October 25^th (Saturday) - Arrival day in Oaxaca. It takes all day for the various flights to arrive so we don’t have any big plans. Just get there and start enjoying the city after a long journey. Take a walk to the Zocalo (main square) for dinner and sight seeing in the evening.

October 26^th (Sunday) - Breakfast. Tour to the archeological site of Monte Alban, the sacred place of the Zapotec and Mixtec people. Get acquainted with the city, walk around the Zocalo (main square) enjoy lunch and take the afternoon free to explore. Lots of museums open on Sunday. Welcome dinner

October 27^th (Monday) - Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 A.M. Break for lunch, back to the workshop. Late afternoon and evening free

October 28^th (Tuesday) - Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 A.M Break for lunch, back to the workshop. Late afternoon and evening free

October 29^th (Wednesday) - Breakfast. Tour day departing at 9:00 A.M. We will visit Studio Xaquixe a glass recycling center known for it beautiful mezcal bottles and other works of art in glass. Next stop will be the Etla market and then on to San Agustin Etla where we will tour the handmade paper mill at Vista Hermosa (a former textile mill, now an arts center). Lunch in the countryside. Evening free.

October 30^th (Thursday) - Breakfast. Workshop. Lunch. Class resumes. Evening free.

October 31^st (Friday) - Breakfast. Class begins at 10:00 A.M. Break for lunch, back to the workshop. This is the first night of the Dia de los Muertos celebration. We will visit the San Miguel city cemetery. Throughout the city an amazing party is taking place.

November 1^st (Saturday) - Breakfast. Final day of class. Get ready for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Lunch. Afternoon is free. We will visit the Santa Maria Atzompa cemetery to in the evening.

November 2^nd (Sunday) - Breakfast. Optional tour to Mitla archeological site, Teotitlan del Valle and the Tule tree, or spend your last day in the city enjoying beautiful Oaxaca. In the evening we will visit San Felipe, a gorgeous small cemetery with a farewell dinner to follow.

November 3^rd (Monday) - Breakfast Fly away home

Airfare is not included. When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.

Included: Workshop, hotel, 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners, and tours with an English speaking guide.

Shared Double $1950

Single $2300

Deposit: $250 to secure your spot. Please pay by check

To reserve your spot contact:

Colleen Darling

805-688-1221

colleen950@gmail.com

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Krampus Time

Been having some fun doing a bit of sketching over the last month. Tis the season for Krampus. What? You don't know who he is. He's St Nick's sidekick. He does the dirty work. He's like the Oscar Madison to Felix Unger...like Walter Sobchak to the Dude (Big Lebowski)...buddies I suppose ... But Krampus does the dirty work. Coal in the stockings for the naughty tikes...that sort of thing. So I've been doings some versions of this Northern European curmudgeon.