ON THE EASEL: Bad Vlad and Other Vamps

May 20, 2015

Many of you know that the one of my first movie memories is seeing the horribly wonderful film Billy the Kid vs Dracula. It's really awful but grab some beers and enjoy. Whether or not this was the reason I became a vamp fanatic I can't say but to this day I am a sucker for a good vampire film (as well as a sucker for the bad ones too). Over the years I have created an homage or two to Dracula, Nosferatu and other undead dudes. Here's a little peek at a few.

My most resent creation was Bad Vlad. Flappy wings and all.

Speaking of flappy wings...heres another batty vamp:

Not all of my vampy creations have moving wings. Here is an earlier piece I did that didn't start off a vampire shrine but evolved that way when I found a little scrap of text. "Blood Type A":

How about a Nosferatu Pez dispenser?

Here's a sketch I left on Vampira's grave at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

How about kit for a vampire hunters/artists. Just in case you're making art and worried a vamp might sneak up behind you:

Well I hope you enjoyed my little tour around the graveyard. I bid you: Goooooood eeeeeeevening.

Way Cool: Color Coded Personality

May 16, 2015

I have to admit that I have never seen a Chinese Opera. Perhaps I have seen a few minutes of footage here and there but I have never actually watched one in it's entirety. However I just came across some fascinating images of the face-painting and masks used and I am quite intrigued especially with the color symbols associated with the different masks.

White represents hypocrisy and craftiness. It is commonly reserved for the powerful villain of a performance. — **White** represents hypocrisy and craftiness. It is commonly reserved for the powerful villain of a performance.

Green represents a character who is impulsive and violent. — **Green** represents a character who is impulsive and violent.

Black symbolizes forcefulness and boldness. — **Black** symbolizes forcefulness and boldness.

Yellow signifies ferocity and  ambition. Yellow may also refer to a cruel and evil character. — **Yellow** signifies ferocity and ambition. Yellow may also refer to a cruel and evil character.

Purple symbolizes uprightness, justice and sophistication. Sometimes, purple may substitute the colour red. — **Purple** symbolizes uprightness, justice and sophistication. Sometimes, purple may substitute the colour red.

I have to say that I really dig the bearded Gene Simmons guy. By the way a beard such as this on a character implies wealth and power....or that he lives in Portland, Oregon.

ON THE EASEL: The Lady in Green

May 13, 2015

The big dilemma when It came time to create this character was whether I use the book or the film as inspiration. There are some pretty hefty differences as to how the witch is portrayed...mostly physical. In the film we all remember Margaret Hamilton and her pointy hat, broom, inky black attire and of course the emerald green makeup that makes the Wicked Witch of the West iconic.

So let's take a look at some of the differences between the book and the film.

Her sister's shoes: In the book the shoes that the witch is trying to acquire are not ruby but rather silver.
Hair: in the book the witch had three pig tails. One on each side and one on the top of her head.
Eyepatch: The novel depicted the villainess with an eyepatch...however her good eye was as strong as a telescope.
Clothing: The witch tends wear more patterns and stripes in the book. Especially garments that have imagery with a halloween bent.
The Broom: Remember the Wizard demanding the broomstick of the Wicked Witch in the film. In the book there was no broom...instead she had an umbrella....which makes perfect sense given that if it rains she is doomed (given her water allergy).

Some fairly big differences. So I decided to a bit of mixing and matching.

A few things are so iconic in pop culture that it seemed a bit sacrilegious to stray from the film. I was tempted to do the witch with only the book in mind...but I couldn't resist the lure of the silver screen.

Green Skin: The skin color needed to be green. It just did. Snakey...sickly.

The Broom: Such a powerful element, not only allowing her to travel, but to skywrite "surrender Dorothy". Besides...in the film when the wizard requires the gang to bring back the broom...it becomes an immediate symbol of here wickedness.

Ruby Slippers. Iconic to be sure...but also a wonderful complimentary color to the green of the witch.

As for the modification that come from the novel...

The Eye-Patch/Telescopic Eye - I guess you might consider here like a bionic pirate. I opted to give here a mechanism that made her see better.

No Umbrella But...at least she'll be forewarned of rain.

Pigtails - For some reason red pigtails were essential...they just were.

In her full glory...here she is:

Way Cool : the Maker

May 9, 2015

If you like bunnies, fake teeth, stop animation, maudlin love stories and/or discarded reinventions...then you'll love this little animated treat.

ON THE EASEL: If I Only Had A Brain

May 6, 2015

So an interesting little tidbit about the Scarecrow that I learned researching the character for my Wizard of Odds series: It's figured that he was create by the Munchkins and literally just more or less came to existence when I Dorothy strolls by the cornfield. Unlike the TinMan, the Scarecrow has no back story...he is new born babe.

Of course, like the other characters who travel to Oz, he is in search of something he already possesses. In his case it is knowledge. Ironically it becomes apparent in the books he is the brightest bulb in the bunch. Always coming up with solutions to the various plights that unfold.

When I sat down to approach the Scarecrow as a subject I had two things in mind: first I knew he needed to be stringy and buralapy, and secondly I needed to make him seem professorial. The burlap was easy, but the professorial part was a bit more challenging. And then I started thinking about folks like Einstein and the type of imagery that was evoked by his concept. Chalkboards, diagrams, charts, equations...everything that symbolically represents high learning. Once I came to that conclusion I knew that a chalkboard was an essential back drop.

I did take a bit of artistic liberty with one trait. I added a brain...even though he never gets one in the films or novels. It seemed too perfect as addition to have a removable and interchangeable brain. As for it being blue...it contrasted the earthy tones nicely. I present the His Royal Highness the Scarecrow of Oz (he did in fact rule Oz for a wee bit in the books).

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The Skinny: Monsters on the Mountain

May 3, 2015

Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild CA - Classes start July 4th!

For the last bajillion years I've been coming up to Idyllwild Arts to teach workshops. It's an awesome little mountain town the hovers high above Palm Springs...perfect place for a Southern California get away. For those who are unfamiliar with the little mountain town...you may actually have seen it in films like Elvis Presley's Kid Galahad. It's also renowned for its Arts Academy (which is where my wife Andrea and I will be teaching). But perhaps what it is most famous for is the Idyll-beast. A local Sasquatch sort of critter that roams the area.

Fact or fiction? Well I did have a hairy critter in my class last year...I thought it was just a gray beard...but I could have been deceived.

In honor of the Idyll-beast I'll be doing a monster making workshop entitled Movie Monster Madness. In this class you will pick your favorite monster and create a shrine to him or her or it. I suppose the Idyll-beast is not a movie star...but I'd let that one count too.

But that's not all! Here's what Andrea and I will be teaching that week:

July 4-5 Michael deMeng - Sacred Shrine to the Seemingly Insignificant Thing.

July 6-7 Michael deMeng - Movie Monster Madness

July 8-9 Andrea Matus - Illuminating Manuscripts

July 10-11 Andrea Matus - Dream Punk

Here's the link:

http://www.idyllwildarts.org/page.cfm?p=723

Hope to see you there!

Way Cool: Max Iver

May 2, 2015

If you like moody and haunting photography you'll love St. Louis artist Max Iver's work. I've been following him on Instagram. Love everything he posts; eerily inspiring. Check him out on FaceBook here: https://www.facebook.com/max.iver or on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/max_iver_art/

Here are some samples:

See you next time
M

On the Easel: Watch Yourself

April 29, 2015

Not much time so thought I'd show you samples for one of the classes I'm teaching in Houston this week. Assemblings of a Mad Watchmaker.

Before the magic of paint:

...and PRESTO CHANGO:

The Skinny: Minneapolis Here I Come

April 26, 2015

Art is You Minneapolis Sept 17- Sept 20th

I love coming to the MidWest...partilally because of the beauty, mostly because of all the amazing folks I got to know from the classes I taught over the years. So guess what...this September I'm coming back that way...Minneapolis to be precise...thanks to the great gals at Art is You . And I'm hoping to see some of my workshop peeps from the region while I'm there.

So here's what I'm teaching: Mixed Media Retratos, Mermaids and Nautical Oddities, Sideshow Shrines, and the Eye of Protection. Click Here to see the workshop schedule:http://www.eatcakecreate.com/minneapolis/minneapolis-workshop-schedule/

Hope to see some of you there! Here's the link to find out more: http://www.eatcakecreate.com/minneapolis/

Way Cool: A Music Video to Inspire You

April 24, 2015

It's always a plus when a band you like puts out a music video that is totally awesome. The band is the Icelandic clan Of Monsters and Men and the song is Little Talks. Visually stunning with a nice fairy tale feel.

This came out a few years back and it still inspires me to go into the studio....it also kinda of makes me want to learn animation.

ON THE EASEL: Nude Dudes

April 22, 2015

Over the years I have done a number of pieces using mannequin parts. The outcome is a bit other worldly and a wee bit Frankenstein-ish. I have to say...I would make an awesome mad scientist! Don't you think? I could populate the world with folks like this:

Of course, in the past I was a bit more modest with my work...and thus my nude dudes had no bits and baubles showing.

ON DISPLAY AT :

Graphite Gallery - 936 Royal St, New Orleans, LA

If you find yourself wandering through New Orleans you might just catch a glimpse of Pluto and Persephone. They are recent additions to the gallery along with other works of mine. If you're not careful they go home with you...and that'd be okay too.

THE SKINNY: On-Line Class - Plumed Serpents and Moon Goddesses

April 19, 2015

Plumed Serpent and Moon Goddesses: The ONLINE Class

It's time for another OnLine Workshop. This time I'm bringing my Mexico class to the computer screen. I'll be bringing techniques and recipes used in that Day of the Dead workshop to you folks who couldn't make the journey.

Class Starts June 26th!

REGULAR PRICE $135

PURCHASE BEFORE May 15th: $99.99

In honor of the mystical, magical quality of Mesoamerica , 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 share stories about the various gods and heroes for a bit of inspiration.

In this class you will create a shrine to your favorite unpronounceable deity from south of the border. Perhaps Mictlantecuhtli (god of the underworld), Quetzalcoatl (the plumed serpent), the bat god of the Zapotecs or maybe the clan of drunken rabbit deities. You will get construction methods, tips and techniques with a Mesoamerican twist. I've also come up with a special Mexican deity color palette!

This class is a bit different from some of my other OnLine classes....of course it will include methods and techniques to guide your creations, but I'm also including some travel footage from the Plumed Serpent Workshop I held in Mexico during Day of the Dead 2014. I've included video footage I took at the ruins and museum at the ancient Aztec capital which will help in deciding the potential deities you wish to explore artistically. I'll also be including the final critique of art created at the Oaxaca workshop. You'll be astounded what students came up with.

Special Features of this Workshops

Travelogue:

This will be an interesting twist on some of my other online classes. Not only will you get the studio techniques and projects but you will also get to share a bit of the journey to Mexico. I'll be including some video taken during the Mexican adventure.

Critique:

In my in-person workshops I always have a bit of a critique at the end of class. Mostly it is a way to see what students created and explore different methods and solutions. In this On-Line class I'll be sharing the video of the class critique in Mexico. Amazing projects!

Here are a few of my Mesoamerican deities:

How much does it cost? $135 regular price
- PURCHASE BEFORE 5/15 $99.99
When does it begin? June 26th 2015
How long does it run? Once you buy it, you own it.
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 blog.
How will I access the blog 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 do I sign up? A: Click the little button and you're off and running. WooHoo!

You ready to get rolling? Quetzacoatl (the rain god), Mictlantecuhtli (the god of the underworld), and Coyolxauhqui (the moon goddess) are awaiting your arrival.

Click Here to Purchase

Way Cool: Robert Tatin's la maison des champs

April 17, 2015

A number of years ago I came across an article about a French outsider artist named Robert Tatin. I fell immediately in love with his work. He is one of those guys who live his art. His world becomes his art and his art becomes his world.

Here is a bit of backstory. He was born in 1902 and in the mid twenties he started a construction company in France. After a time he decided to put his energy into more creative endeavors and set up a ceramics studio in Paris. At age 48 he packed his bags and traveled around South America...heavily inspired by the art of the indigenous people. When he returned to France in 1962 (at age 60) he embarked on what could easily be considered his life's masterpiece: La mason des champ (the country house). With the help of his wife Lise he embarked on transforming his home into a bizarre and wonderful world the was uniquely his.

It all started with this humble country home....well, perhaps not that humble.

And then, next to the home things began to grow...

And grow...

And grow!

So to all you folks who think your over the hill...Robert Tatin just started to find his groove when he turned 60 and kept on grooving until his death in the 1983.

So if your ever in find yourself in France you might consider a road trip to Cosse de Vivien (about a 3 hour drive west of Paris) Here's a link to the museum's website http://www.musee-robert-tatin.fr

ON THE EASEL: Way Back Web Pages

April 15, 2015

So I took a little trip on the WayBack Machine. This is a webpage that allows you to go back to a website, as it was, at a particular date. I decide to take a little gander at page and see what art I was showcasing at the time. What I actually found most interesting was my webpage design...oh how it's changed.

My very first webpage design...didn't last long but I kind of dug it.

OMG...this one is downright horrible.  It would have been great in the 80's but I was using this in the early 2000s. — OMG...this one is downright horrible. It would have been great in the 80's but I was using this in the early 2000s.

I really liked this one...mostly because I really like the art used in the background.  Alas the actual piece was destroyed in shipping...but at least I have this jpg. — I really liked this one...mostly because I really like the art used in the background. Alas the actual piece was destroyed in shipping...but at least I have this jpg.

This one lasted for some time.  Students of mine will please not the "tricky burnt paper routine". — This one lasted for some time. Students of mine will please not the "tricky burnt paper routine".

At last we come to this.  Not bad.  It features one of my all time favorite pieces entitled "Sienna". — At last we come to this. Not bad. It features one of my all time favorite pieces entitled "Sienna".

Now lets take a peek at some of the piece of art I found lurking around in the WayBack machine:

Fatima - Quite honestly this was not one of my favourites.  Ultimately this was cannibalized into other works of art.  Win some lose some. — Fatima - Quite honestly this was not one of my favourites. Ultimately this was cannibalized into other works of art. Win some lose some.

Affirmation Totem - This guy was made from a guitar...and extra large Beefeater Gin bottle...which swivels and nods "yes". — Affirmation Totem - This guy was made from a guitar...and extra large Beefeater Gin bottle...which swivels and nods "yes".

Bear Necessity - This was commissioned for a fundraiser at the University of Montana.  He is a life-size and he's GRRRRRRREAT. — Bear Necessity - This was commissioned for a fundraiser at the University of Montana. He is a life-size and he's GRRRRRRREAT.

Techs Mechs - One of my favourite works with one of my favourite titles.  This was made from parts of an old gas pump. — Techs Mechs - One of my favourite works with one of my favourite titles. This was made from parts of an old gas pump.

Expedition Hat - I went through a hat-making phase.  This one was wearable...but not exactly comfortable. — Expedition Hat - I went through a hat-making phase. This one was wearable...but not exactly comfortable.

Guadalupe Fire Hat - Talk about uncomfortable hats...this sucker was crazy heavy...but it looked cool on.  You could literally only wear it for a few minutes at a time.  The brim was solid steel. — Guadalupe Fire Hat - Talk about uncomfortable hats...this sucker was crazy heavy...but it looked cool on. You could literally only wear it for a few minutes at a time. The brim was solid steel.

Hope you enjoyed my little stroll into the past.

The Skinny: Oddity Shrines Go On Sale TODAY!

April 12, 2015

Tonight, Sunday April 12 at 5pm PST My latest batch of Oddity Shrines will be going on sale. All you have to do is head to this link:

http://www.michaeldemeng.com/new-products/

at 5pm the products will be available.

Here's a sneak peak:

Hope to see you there!

Way Cool: The Top 10 Assemblage-y Movies

April 10, 2015

So I thought it would be fun to put together a list of movies that I consider a huge inspiration to me personally. Each film was chosen because when they are watched they make me want to rush out to the studio and build some weirdo thing.

Here we go:

10. Dark City - this is a fun little film noir sci-fi flick with shadowy dreamscapes. Best of all the city transformation scenes....where the city scape transforms like some steampunk mechanism.

9. MicMacs - A group of sideshow-esqe comrades set out on a mission of revenge. Their underground lair of bizarre inventions is magical. Directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet (who also directed Amelie)

8. Edward Scissorhands - If you haven't seen this film...I'm quite certain you live on Jupiter. Edward is a human assemblage. My favorite parts feature Vincent Price in the lab...duh.

7. Hugo- Martin Scorsese's film about an orphan, an automaton, and the fantastical silent film pioneer Georges Melies. Lots of gizmos and gears in this one.

6. Chitty Chitty Bang - One might surmise that the only reason I added this to the list is because of the Child Catcher (what a creepy villain). Well, this is great mad inventor fare. Prof. Potts workshop is awesome. By the way, this story was written by Ian Fleming which might explain the automotive gadgets.

5. City of Lost Children - Here is another film by Jean Pierre Jeunet from many years earlier. This is mad scientist staple.

4. Metropolis - This movie is exceptional on so many levels...but the transformational robot scene gets my arty nature grooving.

3. Brazil - Terry Gilliam's Orwellian fantasy. Great bits of dystopian oddities throughout.

2. Blade Runner - One of my favorite all time movies. What inspires me about this film is the hodgepodge of fashion and architectural styles.

1. Adventures of Baron Munchausen - The number one movie on my list is another treat from Terry Gilliam. This time a fantastical Baron defies the Age of Reason. The scenes are like a wonderfully elaborate theater scene. Robin Williams as the King of the Moon is wunderbar!

That's all folks...watch em and get into the studio!

ON THE EASEL: Paint Makes It What It Aint

April 8, 2015

You may or may not know this...I was a painter long before I knew what the word "assemblage" meant. It is what I studied in art school and ultimately it is what I truly love about what I currently do. Oh sure, the sculptural aspect is fun...but, as far as I'm concerned, the paint is where the magic begins. The building of a piece it what I consider the pragmatic phase. I have to understand things like glue, construction, gravity,...worldly things. When I pull the paint brushes out, however, something mystical and transformative takes place. When the painting is going well, the experience is sublime, however, when it is problematic...each paint stroke fights off metaphoric demons.

Because of this strange dichotomy in my creative process, I thought you might find it interesting to see some before and after shots of my works through the years.

I should mention that I know many excellent assemblage artists out there who never use a drop of the paint on their pieces. Let me just say...you gotta do what you gotta do. My work is sculptural...however I consider myself a painter, first and foremost. If I didn't use paint...it wouldn't feel like i was making art.

A collection of bad luck and shady characters designed to simultaneously warm your heart and chill you bones. Grimericks and sketches by Michael deMeng.

The Skinny (a day early): A Grim Twist of Phrase

April 4, 2015

So if you haven't heard...over the last couple years I've been writing sinisterly fun limericks. Then, after the poisonous poems were penned, I then took on the task of putting the images to words. The result: Grimericks, by your's truly. Here are a few tragic tales from the book:

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<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276"… — Veronica Smithe owns the world’s largest brain
That she purchased abroad while visiting Spain.
So her head she split wide,
Plopped the second brain inside
Leaving her confused, schizophrenic and insane.

Price: $24.99

Hardcover, Dimensions (centimetres): 15.24 wide x 22.86 tall
Ships in 6-8 business days.

If you think you might need something to peruse on those dark and stormy nights while the wolfsbane blooms, here's how you can purchase a copy:

Click Here to head to the store!

http://www.lulu.com/ca/en/shop/michael-demeng/grimericks/hardcover/product-21916332.html

Hope it gives you lots of: "Bwa ha has"!

Way Cool: The Art of Steven Chmilar

April 4, 2015

A few years back I was at an art fair at the Science World in Vancouver. Lots of artist booths scattered about but the artist I found most intriguing was the work of a Canadian Artist by the name of Steven Chimilar.

What I found intriguing was fantastical, fairytale quality, but with a contemporary edge. So, you art history buffs might agree, that his work is quite reminiscent the Dutch Renaissance painter of Pieter Bruegel the elder. Here's some of Bruegels work:

You can really notice it in the roundish faces as well as an emphasis on the horizon line.

Give him a gander

Here's his website http://www.stevechmilar.com

ON THE EASEL: Wizard of Odds - Glinda

April 1, 2015

Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Hmmmm? Well if there is a such a thing as a good witch Glinda would be the prime example of it.

So if you read any of the Oz books you'll notice that she is a bit different from the film version. First off no floating bubble...which is interesting because nothing says Glinda like a floating bubble.

Another difference is that she only appears to Dorothy at the very end of the tale to reveal the magic of the silver slippers...yes, that's right, silver slippers...they are only made of rubies in the film. Rubies are, however a favorite stone of Glinda in the novels in fact her palace and throne are bedazzled by them. As for her attire, it is mostly white with red accents. Red is actually kind of an important color for her because it is the color that symbolizes the region she governs...Quadling Country,,,,in the South...not the North.

She is sort of an Obie Wan Kenobi of Oz. Fully actualized, she in touch with whatever the Oz-ian version of "the Force" would be. Certainly, she is the wisest and most powerful of all the characters in Oz.

In the film, the Wiz, there is an added aspect to her character. Glinda, portrayed by Lena Horne, is directly responsible for bringing Dorothy to Oz. In the books and the film, Dorothy learns valuable life lessons by chance. However, in the Wiz, Dorothy was intentionally brought to Oz so that she could partake in a life-changing quest and become the heroine she was destined to be. Dorothy saw herself as worthless, Glinda brought her to Oz so she could realize her potential.

So onto my interpretation...

When I started this piece I thought it was important to embody the characteristics of Glinda found in the novel. In the film she is a bit of a goody-two-shoes, thus it was necessary to create something that is a bit more complex than a fairy godmother. I wanted to her to seem as if see was the embodiment of something ancient and mysterious. The first item I chose for the piece was a Japanese doll head, which I decided needed to remain minimally altered. From that I added elements to heighten her mystique....the ancient lock on the top, the pure white tree forming her dress. Another aspect of Glinda that was crutial to the work, was that she needed to be somewhat indistinguishable from the shrine that surrounded her. This was done to imply that she is not merely a character of her realm, but that she and her realm are in fact one in the same.

I should mention, that I did add a subtle homage to the film. Her head is suspended in a round bowl to symbolize the bubble that Billie Burke floats in on. Not exactly a bubble...but it's round.

Admittedly I liked the idea put forth by the Wiz. The concept of Glinda as a guiding force seemed too important to leave out, so for her arms I modified an old film editing tool. Each arm spins a tiny globe. The one on the left is a globe of Oz...the Emerald City marked by an X. On the right is planet earth; here Dorothy's home, Kansas is marked. All this to imply Glinda's direct involvement with Dorothy's quest.

Appropriately, she was the first character I created for the Oz series. The reason for this, by the way, was because she had such specific colors associated with her in the books, that I knew that it would force me to venture into new palettes for the series. It did...and how!

I'll leave you with Lena Horne as Glinda