Chamsas and portraits

Some new goodies to peruse. There are more on my shrine page.

Fires

The wildfires are killing me. Man, I have had the worst case of allergies and headaches. Couldn't imaging what it woud be to live further south and closer to the fire. There seems to be a thin layer of light soot on everything these days, and the sky is pale yellow most of the time. Makes for amazing sunsets as well as blood red moons.
Heres a photo of the Derby fire (the big one, 250,000 acres). We have had a couple fires here in the Missoula Valley this year where the slurry bombers zoomed in to drop retardant. We've been fortunate, however, the fires were put out fast. Shot taken byMike Granger, a fire fighter.

ciao
Michael

New Stuff on my site

Okay after hours and hours and hours of messing around I have finally updated my site. Lots of new pages, in an effort to keep things better organized. I'll be adding more new goodies by next week. For right now you can see all 21 of the Matchbook Sketches as well as know what exactly is for sale and what isn't.

what a job...whew. Let me know if you find any problems....please don't find any.

Michael

http://www.michaeldemeng.com

Oaxaca Dia de los Muertos 2007

Okay, its begining to feel like Fall to me, which means that it is begining to remind me of the Day of the Dead. I wrote a little article in this months issue of Somerset Studios about some of my experiences in Oaxaca during this event.



Next year as many of you know a friend of mine, Colleen Darling, is orchestrating an art retreat during this grand event. Here's her letter:

deMeng de los Muertos

Once again Michael deMeng is returning to Mexico and invites you to join him in the magical city of Oaxaca, to create art and celebrate what is perhaps the most beautiful event in the world, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. This year he will be conducting an assemblage class that teaches students to transform discarded cigar boxes into found object retablos and shrines. This class will incorporate a variety of techniques including collage, drawing, painting and, most importantly, assemblage. Anything and everything will be used to create this reliquary, (sawblades, gears, you name it). Of course, since everyone will be in Mexico, the land of found objects, everyone will have to be on the prowl for rusty goodies lying about. Along with the Cigar Box Retablos, the class will also create an ofrenda. Ofrendas are wonderful shrines that can be seen in homes, cemeteries, and local businesses; they honor family and friends that have passed away. Usually adorned with personal effects of the deceased, they are then decorated with marigolds, candles, skeletal toys, sand paintings, on and on. Truly amazing and plenty of examples will be visible throughout Oaxaca this time of year.

So join in the celebration…you will truly be inspired and amazed.
October 26- November 4, 2007
contact:
Colleen Darling
colleen950@hotmail.com
Home 805-688-1221
Cell 805-448-1509

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hi gang,

I've been locked away trying to finish the text for my book. I usually do most of the writting at a cafe called Liquid Planet, where I usually have two quadruple Macchiatos (sp?).

I've also had some time to do some art. I started a new series of sketchs...matchbook sketches. Most of you have never seen any of my drawings, so here are some for you. Of course, I couldn't stand just having a drawing without some found object...thus the matchbooks. Check em out









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Secrets of Rusty Things

Hey all,

check out my NEWS page to see the cover to my book! I'm quite thrilled! go here for a closer look http://www.michaeldemeng.com/news.htm

Off to AZ next week for Art Unraveled. During the shopping extravaganza I'll be debuting my Chamsah shrines (Eye of Fatima in Islamic cultures...eye in the hand to ward off the evil eye).
I'll post some images in the next couple days.
ciao
Michael

sorry I've been gone so long

Hey gang sorry for the lag in blog posts. Been crazy busy.

Just wanted to share a couple of goodies. I'm featured in couple of new books by Terry Taylor...and yes that is my work of the cover of the Altered Object. So check them out.

My book, "The Secrets of Rusty Things" is coming along swimmingly. Cover shot might be available to see at ArtUnraveled in a couple of weeks.

Okay, back to work for now,
Michael