Michael deMeng Workshop - Nautical Oddities

Michael deMeng

 I have been hearing about Michael deMeng for years from my art friend D.  I finally got up the courage to take a workshop with him at Art is You Petaluma.  Since i don't really "do creepy" i was concerned how i could interpret his style for my own aesthetics.  Here is his class sample.  he is known for creating creatures from assorted body parts, and toy animals, and lizards and general creative junk.  I like things that are robin's egg blue and pretty......

 So here is how i started out.   See the contrast of our styles?  I bought a pretty mirror online,  for its watery wave pattern and weathered blue colour.  I found  a copy of a vintage ad featuring sunbathing mermaids,  and a dollar store barbie-style mermaid doll.

 I glued the image to the mirror and added large glass marble stones to create "water".  I painted it all cobalt blue.

 Next i went about concealing the fact that my doll was plastic,  by covering it with two-part Aves epoxy - a deMeng "must have" craft tool.  I also gave her  more of a curve in the waist.  She is sitting on a Goodwill silver plated bread basket - which i cut the bottom out of using the scary electrical tools that are de rigueur in a deMeng class.  

Let the sparks fly people!  Seriously - there were flying sparks like EVERYWHERE.

 Here you can see where i was going.  the basket creates a sort of porthole effect over the mirror and the mermaid curves along side of it.  The jagged bits of metal are concealed in a layer of epoxy.   I also added a small glass box filled with pearls - for my sunken treasure.  It is attached with wire using holes drilled in the mirror.  Drilling is fun!

 Here is the Doctor demonstrating his potions:

 An array of colourful paint and glaze recipes - like Yooge (as in the Usual) and Scary Baby Doll.

 Here is my mirror with some added texture featuring Dap - a bathroom tile caulk.  

I added some brass pieces and some pointy shells.

 A few coats  of paint and glazes and it is starting to come together.

 I went full on clay epoxy on the mermaid - still need to deal with her face and hair.  And paint her some more.  and find some mermaid appropriate pasties.

 Here is Michael doing his critique of the student's work.  there was a quite an assortment of nautical oddities in that room, let me tell you...!  But he had such lovely comments and suggestions.

 Please note the other students work is here at various stages of completion.  but what delicious imaginations people have!

Yes - that is a shell shaped powder room sink!

 the tail becomes sea weed.

wouldn't want to meet this at the lake.

Nor this.

 That jelly fish is so cool.

Scary baby doll anyone?

 Here is my piece laid out for the  critique - but not completely glued or painted. or resolved. 

 is it too dark?  not enough contrast?

You can see through the porthole to the mermaids frolicking inside.  that vintage pin still needs painting to make it blend in more.   

All in all a terrific experience.  The lessons about paint and construction of assemblage, not to mention the use of power tools was very enlightening.  He is funny and makes you feel very special and gives you lots of attention.  Be aware though - he doesn't really tell you WHAT to make.  it is more about HOW to make it.   You have to come to class with your own supplies and ideas.  But check out his work here and online.  

you cannot help but be intrigued.

 Michael deMeng

 Michael deMeng

Michael deMeng

More Beaded Things and Some Dolls

My friends Z and K came over on Saturday for brunch and some crafting.  We wanted to continue making things with beads.   Our "main" play date had to be rescheduled for March.  Here are the pendants i made, with silver fimo clay, and some black glitter clay.  One is really cluttered, one is very orderly, one is whimsical, and one is kind of cool looking!  After baking only one bead fell off, but was easily reattached with a drop of glue.

  Here is a beautiful bird pendant Z made with polymer clay and an assortment of rhinstone chain, bugle beads, seed beads and a leaf charm. After baking she'll add some flowers or beads to the two rings on the branch.

 K was busy with some interesting doll projects (see below) - but tried to make a pendant with aqua clay and gold seed beads and a couple of charms.  She didn't like the "messy" look and was going to start over!  We all know what THAT feels like!

 This was a cool to make!  it started as a paper clay heart.  I took a few dozen cheap stud earrings (i have a pal who can get them for me) and created a paper weight. I just stabbed the earring posts into the semi hardened clay.  it will be a nice conversation piece on  my desk at work.

 My friend K was busy creating these adorable little dolls with bunny ears.  One of them was made with air dry paper clay. She used 2 part epoxy for the other (i am not sure which).

 For this doll, K added some pearl ex powder to the bunny ears.  

Once she got her home, she added a tattered lace dress, wings and some flowers.  So cute!

 This pretty damsel is going to become an art doll when she is complete.

bunny ears looked so fun - so i created these with paper clay on a little plastic kewpie doll.  She is drying in a hot sunny window as we speak.  I'll paint and add a dress and other adornments once she is safe to handle.

 I dried to make a bunny with some leftover fimo clay but it ended up looking like a deer!

A deer with a snail body??  oh whatever! covered with some beads and baked it looks pretty cool!  Stay tuned for beaded things part three in a couple of weeks!