tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post3401842733546499143..comments2024-01-10T11:18:47.636-07:00Comments on Assemblog of Michael deMeng: The Artistic TimelineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08989520663937317887noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-82454769362719827542016-07-01T01:56:49.822-06:002016-07-01T01:56:49.822-06:00Thanks for drawing attention to this post. When I...Thanks for drawing attention to this post. When I take classes, I am creating "in the style of" I've done a few of your classes, and enjoy putting my own spin on "the style of", and incorporating "in the style of other teachers" as well. Of course there are some distinctive deMengisms, so it was great to see you experimenting with colours you use less often (smalt blue) in Oz last time. I took from that that not only your students, but you also, are evolving, experimenting from the "obvious" style you work in :)Squiddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08889330081004399670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-40353031380254075722013-05-05T21:28:16.485-06:002013-05-05T21:28:16.485-06:00Thank you for putting into words what I have belie...Thank you for putting into words what I have believed for my whole artistic life. This should be spread around the arty community.<br />Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01422471926773575820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-3673501836793521142012-06-11T12:21:56.608-06:002012-06-11T12:21:56.608-06:00Well said!Well said!Carla Trujillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04287977712820540391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-10642539414246193142011-08-11T15:36:43.460-06:002011-08-11T15:36:43.460-06:00When I first started in the Art Jewelry realm, thi...When I first started in the Art Jewelry realm, this is what I struggled with the most. I knew nothing so I took many classes to learn. I'll be honest in the fact that I struggle with creativity. My hands can make just about anything technique wise...but, finding my own voice has been difficult. I have heard "copywrite" so many times and was so confused in the beginning as many who just start are. I would sit and think "what is copywrited?". Is the technique something that I can't use or the fact that a heart has been put with a circle? Three years later reading this does my heart good. We have never met but yet in this moment, I feel as though you have just taught me not only a lesson of art but a life lesson. If we could all be this confidant in our work and ourselves, can you just imagine what would be produced? Thank you so much for this insight and I hope the young new artists somehow find their way to this most profound advice.<br /><br />Tammy Gilchrest :: Mixed Metal ArtTammy Gilchresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587137576813591665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-35904980160606551762011-01-04T10:12:55.002-07:002011-01-04T10:12:55.002-07:00Thank you for sharing! You are so right. There ...Thank you for sharing! You are so right. There is nothing new under the sun. Any idea, no matter from where it comes, run with it, take it to extremes, make it yours!Barbara Briggshttp://www.barbarabriggsdesigns.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-89987790461577759402010-08-10T03:54:57.283-06:002010-08-10T03:54:57.283-06:00just stumbled across your blog and this article.
...just stumbled across your blog and this article.<br /><br />thanks so much for putting this subject out there. i haven't read the comments so might be repeating a point...<br /><br />but i think that one of the reasons artists ahve made their techniques precious is due to the economic benefit - workshops and books are big business.<br />and i get that. why would i buy your book if you've shared everything on your blog anyway?<br /><br />but i feel that it's too much. when someone gets tapped across the knuckles for not properly crediting a zendoodle for example, it pisses me off. even doodling has a certificate, instructors,workshops, books, and a copyright! ffs<br /><br />as someone rediscovering their artistic self, and having zero access to workshops, and on dial up... i'm so disappointed in how much is not shared. even in books techniques are often vague or have gaps, and usually play 2nd fiddle to showcasing.<br /><br />ok, off my soapbox. :)Monicahttp://bohemianshadows.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-70668247482262126632010-05-12T10:15:32.261-06:002010-05-12T10:15:32.261-06:00i'm not sure if i can add anything more to wha...i'm not sure if i can add anything more to what's already been said, but that i have to agree wholeheartedly. early on in my art journey, i took a few classes with teachers who i felt were holding back and purposely being vague with their techniques. i just couldn't understand why they were doing that. As a student it frustrated a few of us. As an instructor, i make myself remember that class and how i don't want my students to ever feel like they aren't getting 100%.kecia deveneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02670336375823545129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-10512196664636443302010-05-05T02:05:25.646-06:002010-05-05T02:05:25.646-06:00bravo, you are so right, thank you for sharing thi...bravo, you are so right, thank you for sharing this. We are all individuals and we can never get rid of our individuality and it comes through in everything we do and in this case create. We may be using someone else's taught technique but it will always be uniquely expressed by each and everyone of us.ShabbyChicShazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08829899527911353704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-78935015848851122112010-05-02T12:23:55.886-06:002010-05-02T12:23:55.886-06:00Sallianne suggested I read this post
yesterday as ...Sallianne suggested I read this post<br />yesterday as I was teaching a class<br />she attended and we were discussing<br />just this topic with the exact<br />same sentiments.. so thank you for <br />putting it in this lovely<br />framework for all to read!pamelahuntingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02889368855421793799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-2198642687851045642010-05-01T08:38:06.186-06:002010-05-01T08:38:06.186-06:00Hello,
I was prompted by a friend to read your art...Hello,<br />I was prompted by a friend to read your article as I advocate exactly your feelings on sharing ideas and techniques.<br />I am not an origional thinker and find it difficult to come up with new ideas but let me see something that someone else has created and I think - yes - I could do something like that - and of course I try but it never turns out the same because what is inside me changes the persepctive and the piece becomes origional to me with thanks to those who provide the inspiration.<br />LesleyLesley Edmondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02208084369114299203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-69642607715861555122010-05-01T06:31:18.184-06:002010-05-01T06:31:18.184-06:00You are so right. Congrats on saying what so many...You are so right. Congrats on saying what so many of us feel.<br />SandiSandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913020634740497169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-22862469012486126192010-05-01T00:08:02.917-06:002010-05-01T00:08:02.917-06:00Very well said - and I so agree. If art was not s...Very well said - and I so agree. If art was not shared and taught - were would we all be today. I do try to give credit to the artist I learned from - and it may be a combination of a few - but I still derived the initial idea from them - then RUN with it :)dihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13404814670609099945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-6670291923410748552010-04-30T23:09:10.766-06:002010-04-30T23:09:10.766-06:00Well said! May we all get inspired and keep learni...Well said! May we all get inspired and keep learning from one another. I put a link on my blog to yours.Lynn Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986604913521696538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-36734532488656448482010-04-30T08:42:07.375-06:002010-04-30T08:42:07.375-06:00Beautifully stated Michael!!
See you at AU this su...Beautifully stated Michael!!<br />See you at AU this summer!Maijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13135365625592725709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-17187633342607917772010-04-29T14:39:40.856-06:002010-04-29T14:39:40.856-06:00You said it... eloquently.You said it... eloquently.Sharmon Davidsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222935617263973858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-26786014276052939042010-04-28T06:38:12.324-06:002010-04-28T06:38:12.324-06:00That was a wonderful and poignant post. I am am on...That was a wonderful and poignant post. I am am only able to grow as an artist due to the kindness and selfless of artists like yourself, that are willing to embrace the term teacher literally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-44175415517795647332010-04-27T11:55:51.446-06:002010-04-27T11:55:51.446-06:00I know that I am late to this party...however, I f...I know that I am late to this party...however, I feel compelled to put in my two cents worth.<br />I agree with everything you said...I have for many years come up against fearful artist/crafts person who have jealously guarded their secret techniques. I loose respect for them and move on...their perspective is narrow and ill conceived. Do they not know that all secrets are eventually revealed?<br />I have seen many pieces by artists who have taken your class...none of them look like your work/style...they have come and learned and then set their own stamp on their art.<br />I was for years afraid of taking classes...I thought I would not be able to create my own style that way and fearful of being accused of stealing ...this impression was drilled into me by the above mentioned guards of secrets. <br />I no longer feel that way. I am older now and make art for my own pleasure.<br />Having read this post has me itching to take a class from you...I shall one day. <br />Thank you for this post...it should be shouted from the roof tops. <br />Ok!!! perhaps this was my 3 cents worth !!! :)Mo'ahttp://www.moaromigboyles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-86721079812658763972010-04-24T16:18:58.006-06:002010-04-24T16:18:58.006-06:00WOW Michael! you have, very articulately, put into...WOW Michael! you have, very articulately, put into words what I have been trying to teach students in workshops.<br /><br />It's like sharing a recipe, you make it once, and then you make it your own.<br /><br />and with your permission, i intend to quote you.<br />thanks again!<br />rebecaRebeca Trevinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775104016989853596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-43167411029368791752010-04-24T16:12:42.609-06:002010-04-24T16:12:42.609-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rebeca Trevinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775104016989853596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-69338894999862534762010-04-24T11:31:10.371-06:002010-04-24T11:31:10.371-06:00oops! typo in previous post "they AREN'T ...oops! typo in previous post "they AREN'T mine" (not are)Lorri Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15231052267534572614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-34686674758570999432010-04-24T11:20:28.669-06:002010-04-24T11:20:28.669-06:00So glad you broached this subject, it's someth...So glad you broached this subject, it's something that comes up over and over "How can you teach someone your techniques when you know they're going to copy you, you're giving away your secrets" First off they are secrets, they're not mine to begin with. In my trade it's dyeing. Well....... haven't people been dyeing cloth for like centuries? You get the picture. I have had artist friends teach what they do and then complain that students are stealing from them, exactly and not just using the techniques learned. I have always told them but an artist puts his(her)self into their art and it becomes a feeling that they have created and someone else can't put your feeling into it. So that makes it different right? Okay, enough, you hit the nail on the head and I thank you for that.Lorri Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15231052267534572614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-29014064168659681372010-04-24T08:39:59.021-06:002010-04-24T08:39:59.021-06:00This was an exceptionally well written post and I ...This was an exceptionally well written post and I enjoyed hearing your personal views on students learning your techniques and moving forward with them.<br />The minute we (as artists) put any work in the public, it is there for others to see, be inspired by, think about. Ultimately, some small portion of that my end up in their work.<br />On my blog, and in answers to e-mails, I don't hesitate to explain what I am doing because:<br /><br />A) I enjoy seeing people move forward with art knowledge<br /><br />--and--<br /><br />B) What they do will not look like my work.<br /><br />This was a big stink in the quilt world among teachers, and one of the reasons I returned to mixed media....I got fed up with the bickering over who *invented* a technique/style/pattern, etc.<br />Art is always being shared, inspiring, evoking some reaction, and hopefully---in the long run---making other artists BETTER. I do feel a responsibility to put my own SOUL into my work, and that's what makes it mine.....<br /><br />Well spoken! Grazie!<br /><br />AnneAnne Huskey-Lockardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01642632328404951486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-50080591703503673842010-04-24T00:04:21.624-06:002010-04-24T00:04:21.624-06:00You certainly inspired me in your class and also i...You certainly inspired me in your class and also in your books. I love your style but I know I could never do what you do. What you inspired me to do is think about assemblaaaage (as you say) in a different way and to try different things. You are a born teacher. Best class I ever took and I've been to a LOT!Emily N.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-29267818419722434222010-04-22T22:04:17.964-06:002010-04-22T22:04:17.964-06:00PS...
As a class coordinator I have had this conve...PS...<br />As a class coordinator I have had this conversation more times that I care to. I think you put this so well, that I hope you don't mind if I post this on my own blog, and link back to your blog.Dede Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07442417009625464467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29159709.post-3941358116245407322010-04-22T21:36:31.295-06:002010-04-22T21:36:31.295-06:00This is the single bigest issue in the art world t...This is the single bigest issue in the art world today, and perhaps it has always been so. I couldn't agree with you more, Michael. Thank you for being so willing to share not only your art, but also your view on this often sensitive subject!!Dede Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07442417009625464467noreply@blogger.com