New Podcast Episode: The Loup Garou - A French Werewolf in Canada
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Alternate Evolutions
Loup Garou - A French Werewolf in Canada
New Podcast Episode: The Loup Garou - A French Werewolf in Canada
Read More
Irish Vampires - Waking the Dead
In this entry I thought I’d add some visual tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast featuring tales of Irish Vampires. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:
You can check out my podcast here:
Season 1 Episode 6:
Irish Vampires - Waking the Dead
Irish Vampire Legends
Ireland is filled with myth and legend but did you know that it’s said that vampires are part of their legends. One of the earliest is the evil Abhartach. An evil vampire that rises from the grave to spread his malevolence. It’s said they he is buried a Hawthorn tree and his grave covered in stones to make sure he stays below the surface of the earth. Some argue that this was the vampire that Bram Stoker used as his inspiration for Dracula…and not Vlad the Impaler.
Another type of vampire is the Dearge Due, a seducer, this is normally a female but sometimes can be a male as well.
Another temptress is Leanan Sidhe…who doesn’t steal blood but rather life. But in exchange she is quite an effective muse.
Pixies - Woodland Tricksters
In this entry I thought I’d add some visual tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast featuring tales of Pixie. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:
You can check out my podcast here:
Season 1 Episode 5:
Pixies - Woodland Tricksters
Pixies
There is much confusion over the difference between Pixies and Fairies and really there is no definitive answer. In general, Fairies are immortal magical beings while Pixies are mortal creatures with some magical powers, who ultimately use there powers to enhance nature or…for there amusement enjoy screwing with humans. Now it should be noted that Pixies and Fairies do not care for each other. They in fact had a great war over region in southern England…the Pixies won.
The area they call home is Cornwall and Devon..the same region that King Arthur legends come from.
And there is a Queen and of the Pixies who lead travelers astray and into the marshes. They are Joan the Wad and Jack O’Lantern
Basically they are a bunch of nature loving creatures who love nothing more than singing to flowers and dancing to the songs of crickets and frogs.
The Golem - Clay Protector or Mud Monster
In this entry I thought I’d add some visual tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast featuring the Golem a creature of Jewish folklore. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:
You can check out my podcast here:
Season 1 Episode 4:
The Golem - Clay Protector of Mud Monster
WHO IS THE GOLEM?
The Golem is as Jewish tale whose primary narrative comes from the late 1500s though there are earlier accounts of the creature made of clay. Many of the various tales revolve around the Golem being created mystically as a helper and often as protector against anti-Semitic violence (pogroms). Perhaps the most noted tale is of the Golem of Prague and the story goes: The Jews needed some protection from the madness. Enter the chief rabbi of Prague, Judah Loew ben Bezalel.Rabbi Lowe, being learned and wise devises a plan using ancient and secret methods. Out of clay he forms a large man. This is known as a Golem. It is said in the Talmud that Adam was initially created as a Golem when dust was "kneaded into a shapeless hunk". The Golems were all made of clay and could be made by holy men who were privy to divine secrets, but they lacked that spark that makes a human, human.Without the direct hand of God, they were merely obedient hulks. Clay robots in essence.In some versions of the tale speak of a scroll with the names of God written on it, place in the mouth of the creature is what brings the creature to life. Other version speak of the word "truth", in Hebrew: Emet (אמת), written across his forehead; this activates the Golem. By erasing the first letter aleph (א), Emet turns to Met (מת) meaning death, and the Golem is destroyed.So Rabbi Loew creates the Golem and the clay man does his duty, but he does it a bit too well...not only defending but he starts to go amok and killing gentiles. The Emperor promises to stop the persecution of Jews if Rabbi Loew will deactivate the Golem. Loew agrees and erases the first letter from his creations forehead changing "truth" to "death". The Golem was then stored in the attic of the Old New Synagogue of Prague where he could be reactivated in the Jews ever needed there protector again.
Here is where he is supposed to be...up those rungs...
Old New Synagogue - Prague
Rabbi Lowe and the Golem
And here is one that is more of a Frankenstein/Golem hybrid:
Mechanized Golem by Michael deMeng
Busó Devils - Bringers of Spring
Busó Devils PODCAST
In this entry I thought I’d add some visual tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast about the Buso Devils. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:
You can check out my podcast here:
Season 1 Episode 3:
Busos Devils - Bringers of Spring
https://www.buzzsprout.com/887464/3067084
Right before Spring, devils roam the village of Mohacs, Hungary. Dressed in wool, horns and elaborate wooden masks they spend six raucous days drinking an galavanting through the town. The celebration is to with to villager triumphant return to the village several centuries earlier as well as the welcoming of spring.
Meanwhile On The Other Side of the Planet
Synchronistically, at the exact same time of of year, on the opposite part of the globe in a small village in Mexico, devils also take to the streets…less fur and more body paint. The following photos are courtesy of Sue Urquhart and her latest adventure in San Martín Tilcajete.
Heres a few of my devils to join in the party…
La Llorona - The Weeping Woman - THE PODCAST
In this entry I thought I’d add some visual/audio tidbits to go along with my most recent Podcast about La Llorona. So if you haven’t listened yet…make sure you do:
Check it out here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/887464/2919946
La Llorona
La Llorona (which is Spanish for the weeping woman) is a tragic legend from Mexico about haunting woman who wanders the waterways looking for children to snatch up. Now believe it or not you might find yourself having more empathy for her if you hear the entire tale. Even so, you’ll want to keep your kiddies away from the rivers and lakes at night…especially if you hear crying.
I have created a piece based on the legend…you might have come across it in my book Dusty Diablos.
One of the topics I mention in both the Podcast and in Dusty Diablos is the strange connection the story has to an area called Xochimilco just outside Mexico City. It’s a rural area with winding bunch of canals.
A nice
A nice place for a picnic or perhaps a ghost story.
It’s in this area that an Aztec godess/snake woman named Cihuacoatl is said to roam…searching for her abandoned son. Now it is said that this goddess may in fact be the source for the la Llorona myth.
Another interesting aspect about the area of Xochimilco is that it is also the home to another strange place. The Isla de las Muñecas, the Island of Dolls. A strange place where dolls line the trees.
Yes it is a creepy.
And if you want to see a younger me on my first trip to the creepy island…here you go.
So I’ll conclude this little blog post with my favourite Mexican folk song about the Weeping Woman performed by my favourite Mexican performer, Lila Downs.
Baba Yaga - A Strange Woman Who Lives in a Strange Hut
So if you’re from Russia or Slavic lands you might know of Baba Yaga. She is the topic of numerous fairy tales in this region. She’s a crone who is known for here cannibalistic tendencies, but interesting enough she is not always the villain of the stories. Mostly she is ambiguous…sometimes you go in her pot other times your enemies go in her pot. It is said she flies around in a mortar using a pestle as rudder.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect is where she lives…a hut that stands on one or two chicken legs. This gives her the ability to pick up an move if she needs to. Pretty handy.
Now I’ve made my own version over the years…
Though I always liked the idea of it being able to fly as well…so flappy wings.
So in honor of this steel toothed hag I have two goodies for you:
Goody Number One:
My PodCast -Strange Tales of Myth and Magic
Episode 1 Baba Yaga - the Crone in the Woods
I’ll be doing Podcasts about myths and legends and how they affect me artistically. The very first episode was just released (#2 coming in a week or two), and it is all about the strange stories of Baba Yaga. You can take a listen on ITunes, Spotify as well as here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/887464
Goody Number Two:
Baba Yaga BirdHouse Online Class
Starting April Fools Day my next Online Workshop starts up. In this class we will be making a standing flappy winged Baba Yaga Hut. Sign up before Feb 28 to get Early Bird Discount.
All artistic levels welcome!
Learn more here
Thats it for this time. If you see a house wandering the woods…you might consider heading the opposite way.
the Mishmashers - a New Pantheon
As many of you know my work enormously influenced by the various mythologies of the world. So I thought it might be interesting to create my own pantheon...from somewhere in the future.
Their roles and attributes can be found in the section immediately following the gallery.
This coming October these little deities will be going on sale so stay tuned for more info on that.
The Mishmasher Pantheon:
· Esayel – The Air Thief. She is a goddess of all that moved or transported by wind and air. She is often considered a terrible and wrathful deity bringing debris and destruction in the way of tornados, typhoons and hurricanes. She is also the goddess symbolizing swift and decisive irrevocable action.
· Bib – The Pollinator. He is god of new growth buy also from far places. He is responsible the spread of seeds, spores and life-giving materials, but in his darker aspect he can also spread airborne diseases. He is also the god of passion and love but his influence can also lead to infidelity.
· Bunder – The Preserver. He is the guardian of that which has existed before. He preserves and stores the remains from previous eras. He symbolizes the idea that the future must never forget the past no matter how remote. His negative aspect is nostalgia and clinging onto the past while sacrificing the present.
· Fatom – The Sea Changer. She is the goddess of transformation in particular transformation that is dramatic yet gradual like that which takes place beneath the waves. She is protector of new life form that grow from things taken by the sea and guards the sea life that grows from the remains of shipwrecks. She is a nurturing goddess who warns against stagnation in favor of adaptability and growth.
· Hanek – The Revealer. He is the god of lost treasures and lost knowledge. He and Bunder are inseparable. Hanek finds…Bunder preserves. Hanek is the god of adventure and exploration.
· Mol – The Hoarder. He is an earth god who controls all things beneath the earth’s crust. He greedily tries to cover all things in dirt and sand and soil and bring them into his realm. He is the arch nemesis to Hanek and Bunder. Mol is often associated with death and precious metals.
· Terres – The Untamed. She is the goddess of the plant kingdom. In particular she assists in the growth of vegetation in areas previously barren, polluted and/or infertile. She is the love goddess but unlike Bib, she represents empathetic enduring love.
· Yollo – The Hidden. He is god of trickery and disguise. He is the keeper of secrets. He is often associated with epiphany associated with artistic thought. Though he works closely with the Hoarder, Mol, Yollo often steals from him to offer gifts to the world. He also has a tentative alliance with Bunder and Hanek.
· Quanari – The Problem Solver. She is the goddess associated with innovation and intellectual thought. She perpetuates the idea that all problems have a solution and no task is unsolvable. She is the goddess of the arts. However, she is also associated with defiant stubbornness.
· Zhinka- The Dancer. She is the goddess of rhythm and dance. She governs the harmonies and cycles of the universe, such as the change of seasons, the rotation of the planets, circadian rhythms, and the cycles of life and death. She is both a life goddess and a bringer of destruction, but she is also responsible for rebirth.
· Ghot – The Builder. Ghot is the god of planning and construction. He is a builder and a creator of societies and things necessary for the endurance of a civilization. His negative aspect is that he can be unwavering and resistant to new ideas especially when they are not his ideas.
· Mayam – The Embracer. She is the god of water. Mayam oversees over the vast array of species beneath the waves but she also governs over the adaptability yet indisputable power of the sea. She is often associated with strength through calmness and empathy.
· Otremia – The Destiny Keeper. She is the goddess of death. Her many eyes watch carefully over all things to make sure that nothing stays exists longer than it is supposed to. She keeps a dense library of all things and when their physical form must end. After an entities physical form is destroyed, she guards over the sentient aspect of the all lifeforms until it is there time to be reborn. She works closely with her lover Azopol.
· Azopol – The Destroyer. Azopal is god of death but differs from his lover. He is the physical ender of everything. When Otremia’s book requires the end of some existence, it is Azopal who is charged with the destruction of that being’s physical form. He is then charged with transporting the sentient remains (the soul) to Otremia for safe keeping. He is a symbol for the impermanence of all things.
· Boopom – The Devourer. Boopom is the god of fire. His big mouth devours all things, especially those things that are dear to the goddess Terres. He is a dancer, but unlike Zhinka, his dances are unpredictable and follow much more complex rhythms. He engages in a fiery dance as he consumes, and the more he devours the more erratic and uncontrollable the dance. If not for the necessary intervention of the water goddess Mayam, Boopom would devour until the end of all things. It is believed he will bring the end of the world.
· Magish The Healer. Magish is the he god of medicine. He holds the secrets of healing hidden in the natural world. His work often finds him at odds with the darker aspect of Bib who is known to spread disease.
The Monsters and Me
One question I get regarding my art is "Why is it soooo dark?". Which is usually followed by the comment, "You don't seem like a dark person". My response to this is that ironically it is the shadows and monsters are what help me navigate from those dark places. By embracing the shadow I've found a way to control the sadness and negativity that sometime overwhelm us mere mortals. Over the years I've tried to understand this and here's what I've come up with:
The monsters and I are one. My creations and I cannot be separated. My darker side is a conjoined twin that cannot be removed. We are forever entwined. I believe this to be the case with all humans. The shadow is ever present. What I've found useful and, in fact healthy is to give the monsters a place to roam. What I've found is that in my art the monsters and shadow can be more playful with a sense of humor. They come out and play for a while on my canvas or in a sculpture and then, after a bit of a stretch, they call it a day. Now, If they were cooped up in my head all the time who knows what sort of mischief they would get into. Shadows can be a dark force that create negativity, HOWEVER, I believe that having an "off leash" area in my artistic endeavors allows me to transform the negativity into something positive. The shadow now becomes a way of creating light...or at least defining it.
In my case, monsters have become buddies with a pretty good sense of humor, so they typically hang out in all my art pieces. I'm not saying they don't pester me with sadness or self doubt every so often but I do believe that there is a huge reduction in negative thoughts.
So my recommendation, make a monster a day. Whether it's a sketch, a painting, a clay figurine, realistic or abstract... create something daily and give it all your frustration and angst. Let your monster relieve a little bit of your burden. Give it a try...you don't need to be afraid of monsters.
An Odd Place To Put Odd Things
Do you need a place to keep your bizarro collections...me to. I'll be teach this at a few places across the U.S.
Always Be Creating - Fort Collins Colorado,
Donna Downey Studios -North Carolina
Idyllwild Arts - Southern California
Back in the olden days they sure had style, especially when it came to housing their wares. If you were on the go you were assured to have a stylish kit. It didn't matter if you were a doctor, a shoe repair person, or a vampire hunter...if you were on the fly you had a nifty kit filled with nifty devices.
This concept interested me soooo much I've created a number of them for various uses over the the years here are but a few where not only have I created the carrying case but also created and/or modified the strange gizmos that fit inside. I've created a workshop where students can explore these themes in whatever direction they choose.
deMengian Apothecary Cabinet
A place for this, that, and the other thing.
deMengian Apothecary Kit
Not sure what those things actually do...but they look cool
deMengian Aritst Kit for the Vampire-phobic
Complete with stake pencils and religious icon brushes.
Art Kit for Vampire Phobic Artists
Art Kit for Vampire Phobic Artists
Art Kit for Vampire Phobic Artists
deMengian Mad Artist Kit
For creative types who are a bit unusual.
Thumbelina Theater
Recently I was rewatching a favorite film of mine from days of yore...the original Clash of the Titans. It is a film I have seen many many time but this time I took note of a scene where Zeus moves tiny clay figures around a stage; these, of course, are the representations of the mortals under the control of the Olympians. This got me thinking about the idea of play in regard things like dollhouse dolls, toy soldiers and/or action figures. It made me consider why children seem to have the desire (perhaps even need) to create worlds that they have dominion over...Zeus-like control where the child is able to manipulate the destinies of the tiny characters in their hands.
The world is an uncontrollable place. Even when we think we are in control, the truth is that we are tiny beings on a big rock spinning through space. Because of this it seems reasonable that one would find comfort in creating manageable scenarios. This is probably especially true for children, who, after all are recent arrivals to the planet Earth.
I suppose many grow out of the need to create these realms and scenarios...I never did. Part of that stems from the fact that I've always felt a bit out of place in this world , so I still play. In my art I can concoct a universe where I am more comfortable or as I would like it to be.
My most recent series of puppet theaters addresses the this topic more directly than anything I've ever created because they encourage the art of play. Recently I started making very tiny versions of these stages where the characters are not much bigger than an inch or two. I call these Thumbellina Theaters. To us they may seem small and insignificant but, I assure you, that they may be small but I imagine them with all the complexities of you or I.
(I've actually turned it into a workshop for a few special locations....Eugene Oregon this September, for those who need a little more control in their destinies).
The Persistence of Mythology
Okay so if you're familiar with my work you will know that much, dare I say, all of my inspiration comes from ancient tales of heroes faced with impossible tasks. Ever since I was a wee lad the stories of gods and monsters from around the globe consumed me. I wondered what led me to this fascination and why it continues to this very day. So with the arrival of my 51st birthday I decided to try and trace my fascination to some of the key influences.
Momotaro, the Peach Boy - When I was a wee lad between the ages of 2 to 7 I lived in Hawaii, and because of that I was exposed to a variety of Asian influences. During this time mother used to read to me the Japanese legend of Momotaro the Peach Boy. This is a tale of a large peach that floats down a stream into the possession of an elderly couple. The couple go cut open the peach but to there surprise a young boy pops out (actually I think that would surprise most folks). This strange incident was, of course,destiny; little did the elderly couple know that one day an adult Momotaro would set sail of on a mission (with a dog, a bird and a monkey) to defeat a band of treacherous ogres that plagued their lands. This particular publication had spectacular illustrations...especially the ogres. I suppose this sort of tale resonated with me because there is something seductive about the concept of being born to fulfill a cosmic mission. This is called the "hero's journey"'; it is the basic formula of most myths and legends. A naive person wanders into the a dark and unknown situation and must overcome some challenge or villain and when the battle is won, they return but... they have changed...they have attained growth and enlightenment. Perhaps, what is fascinating to me is how early this idea resonated. I'm not saying that I understood the complexities but the basic ideas were obviously compelling to my tiny brain. To this day my mother still has that book and I wonder how many times I have perused those pages...probably thousands. This book was the start of a long journey.
Jason and the Argonauts - Late one night, while visiting my grandparents in the Los Angeles, I was up way past my bedtime for a 7 year old, watching Fright Night with host Larry Vincent (aka Sinister Seymour). This was one of those Creature Feature shows which showed monster movies on Friday or Saturday nights. The room was dark and I was curled next to my grandmother as I watch the most amazing thing I had every seen. It was a stop animation film by Ray (this guy is the shit) Harryhausen called Jason and the Argonauts. In the film, Jason is sent on a quest by the gods, and in doing so he must face a variety of obstacles...really cool obstacles like harpies, a seven headed hydra, a battalion of skeletons. I'm pretty certain this was my very first introductions to Greek gods. Harryhausen is also famous for his Sinbad movies, similar idea (though his he had a tendency to mix and match his mythologies) where the hero battles everything from Cyclops, to Kali-Ma effigies, to sabertooth tigers. About five or six years later, to my delight, he returned the the myths of Greece made the unforgettable Clash of the Titans with togas, gorgons, and the Zeus releasing the Kraken.
The Golden Book Encyclopedia (yes, you heard me right) - Somewhere in the span of time between Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans, I was up late doing some heavy duty elementary school research in my illustrated children's encyclopedia when I came across an entry for "Days of the Week". This was now ho hum entry...instead there were images of helmeted deities, mostly Norse, who the days are named after: Thursday is Thor's day, Friday is Friggs day etc. The really cool part (at least at the time) was that the article cross referenced a number of other articles... "see Greek gods" or "see Roman gods". So this "Days of the Week" entry l had me dancing around the encyclopedia checking out all the various mythological entries from around the globe. . At that moment I was faced with the concept of variant pantheons; suddenly my interested wasn't limited to Zeus and Poseidon, now I was surrounded by a plethora of wild and fascinating deities from all over the globe. Kali, Shiva, Maui, and Quetzalcoatl were now creeping there way into my creative mind. It might sound strange that an simple entry in a children's encyclopedia had such an impact...but it's true.
The Power of Myth - Fast forward to my sophomore year in college. I was an art student struggling to find my artistic voice. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was sipping on a Corona watching reruns of Monty Python's Flying Circus. After the episode was over I was about to flip the channel when something called the "Power of Myth" popped on the screen. I decided to give it a watch. Holy crap! I was hooked. Bill Moyers interviewed one of the most compelling people on the planet...Joseph Campbell, a expert (dare I say maestro) of comparative mythology and religion. To be sure he was one smart dude, but he made the information so yummy and down to earth. By this time I had a fairly good understanding of various religions and mythologies but what this interview did for me was to reveal the strange connectivity culture to culture, religion to religion. I watched the entire "Power of Myth" series in awe, and I was reminded of the story of Momotaro, the child floating down the river inside a peach, and how similar that was to Moses being set adrift as infant, or the baby Perseus abandoned to the sea inside a wooden chest. All of which, destined for great things beyond themselves. Different parts of the world, but the "hero's journey" quite similar in nature.
Joseph Campbell said, "It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure". Through the years my obsession with myths and legends has worked it's way rather prominently into my art. Very few pieces (if any) don't have some kind of nod to a magical odyssey. Afterall, I tend to view myths are metaphoric clues that help humanity through the complexity of life. The journey of my life and each challenge I must face is no different than that of the peach boy. In fact, you could even say that every piece of art I create follows the same hero's journey: I start off naive and confused, and set sail to uncharted waters to battle the demons of self-doubt until I find resolution. Ultimately, Momotaro and I are one and same. So...if you'll excuse me, I have ogres to defeat. Don't we all.
The Imperfect Perfection
Epiphanies are strange things and can often come at unexpected times and in unexpected places. I was recently having a chat with a student of mine (who will be called Kerry just in case they prefer to remain anonymous). It was a pleasant chat about art and inspiration over a few martinis, she preceded to tell me about her son who had a severe disability; she continued to tell me that in many ways those were the reason she was drawn to my art. I found this fascinating because this seems to be something I and other instructors come across, parents with special needs children are often drawn to art retreats for one reason or another.
I ordered a second martini and pressed Kerry about the reason she was drawn to my class in particular. After all, my style of art can often be rather foreboding to some, so, what she told me came as quite a surprise. She felt that my creations and characters were unashamedly "imperfect" and that in her world what she was faced with was imperfection...and in that imperfect world, she has found beauty.
I was quiet for a moment as a bolt of lightning came crashing down on my head. This perspective had never really dawned on me. For me, my creations were explorations of souls working there way through the issues of mortality. What I hadn't really realised was that my characters were also about the disenfranchised, the freaks, the isolated, the lost...just trying to find a home in a difficult and sometimes uncaring universe. It immediately made me think back to my very difficult high school years, a geeky kid with a severely acne scarred face....lonely and imperfect trying to find a path in a world that sought perfection.
As an artist, I don't know if you every entirely know the reasons why you create what you create. If an artist is honest with his or herself, I think the best one can do is to come up with glimpses and hints. To date, this gin inspired conversation was perhaps one of the most profound clues to my aesthetic tendencies and artistic obsessions. Who says martinis aren't good for you?
The Unknown History of Things
Early morning is when I have my most profound thoughts...at least they seem profound early in the morning. Today I started thinking about "things", in particular, the variety of "things" I have acquired over the years for the purpose of transforming into a work of art. Admittedly, I have become more reserved with my collections; the days of clutching on the every item that passed my gaze are long gone. Perhaps it means I have become a connoisseur of bric a brak.
So in my early morning thoughts, I pondered the various items that I have collected. Glass eyes from Mexico, timepieces of all sorts of sizes, gears and more gears, costume jewellery, plastic toys of all sorts, not to mention the multitude of objects whose function is unclear. The list goes on and on, and as I mentally catalogued my collections, it dawned on me: each object, from the simplest marble to more elaborate cuckoo clock has a history. Every single object in my studio has had a life experience, albeit an unconscious one...and this is a marvellous thing.
Some items I know a little bit about their past. Once in a blue moon, my family will pass something along in which I know something about the origin, like a broken music box that might have been my mother's, but even so, I don't have a full understanding of it. How many times had my mother turned the windup key? What was she thinking the first time she watched the ballerina spin?
Of course, it's easier to get a sense of history when you have a personal connection, but the vast majority of items I've collected over the years have a much more mysterious past. This forces me to imagine a history. My mind concocts strange scenarios and glimpses of it's past. I once purchased a beautiful typewriter repair kit, from the 1940's most likely. It was housed in a crusty leather case, and it was filled hundreds of strange tools and devices. If that kit could talk, think of all the strange tales it could share. As for the dozens of tools...each one those might have a slightly different story to tell.
It has crossed my mind that it is highly probable that several objects of historic significance have wandered into my studio, and subsequently, into a piece of art. It seems highly likely something in my collection has, at some point, touched a profound event. Perhaps I've owned a gear that was part of a pocket watch travelled on the Titanic, or a doll once passed through the hands of Marylin Monroe as a child. A simple tie clip could have been worn by an attendee of the Civil Rights March in 1963. Each found object has countless stories that will never be told, quiet stories that never make it into history books but are equalling compelling. I believe it to be true that multitude of historical dramas fill the shelves in my studio, and it is left to my pondering mind what those tales would be. Perhaps some day science will allow us to track an object through time, following its path backwards, and though it sounds a bit Star Trek-ish, I know, but it certainly not outside the realm of possibilities.
From my perspective, it is the wonder that makes these objects more intrguing however. I suspect if I knew something's historic significance, I would never use it in a piece of art for fear of tarnishing its sacredness. The ignorance gives me liberty. It gives me the freedom to transform these items and set them on a new path. I suppose that is my role. I take items that have lived an interesting life, and just when their journey seems to be coming to an end...I set it on an entirely new and different path. The life of "thing" is no less compelling than the life of a human, it is just unable to share it. So instead I do what artists do...they imagine the possible and the impossible.
“A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm” ― William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Skullduggery Online Class
REGISTRATION STARTS JULY 1st. CLASS STARTS SEPT. 9th
Coming this Fall. Just in time for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos!
Every year I visit Mexico during Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Not only is this a marvelous event where relatives celebrate the memories of the deceased, but it is also a chance for the living to mock the reaper. It’s a way for the living to say: “Neener, neener you haven’t got me yet”. One of the ways that Mexicans do this is with little skeletal toys known as “calacas”. Usually they are playful scenes where the skeletons are in the engaged in everyday activities, riding bicycles, walking dogs, dancing with devils (okay, so this one is perhaps not an everyday activity). The idea is to have a little fun with ones mortality. Well, that is what we’ll be doing in class. Using doll parts, action figures, and other found objects student will create little skeletons that will tickle your funny bone.
Class is $99.99
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
Class starts Sept. 9th 2016
Here's Where to Register:
http://www.michaeldemeng.com/skully/
- Chapter List
1.Intro to Dia de los Muertos
2. Junking for Skullies
3. Tool Talk
4. Crackin' and Crusty Skully Textures
5. Dapper Cadaver Fancy texture
6. The Clay Calavera
7. Busty Dead Dudes
8. Colores de los Muertos
9. Boney Glow
10. Dem Bones
11. Day of the Dead Squiggly Doos
12. Calacas - Traditional Day of the Dead Toys
13. Newly Deads and Just Burieds
14. Curse of the Calavera
15. Tintype Masquerade
16. Dia de los Muertos Cinema with Bruno
Questions You Might Have: - How much does it cost? $99.99
- When can I register? July 1st 2016
- When does it begins? September 9, 2016
- How long can I access the videos? Forever and ever. You will have to ability to download the videos right to your computer.
- 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 150 of minutes of protected video that only students will be able to access.
- Will it be live? For the most part, no. However I am considering do a FaceBook Live Feed at some point in the process. There will be setting up a special FaceBook group where I will be available to discuss your questions. Each week I will record a video responding to all the questions posted in the group.
- Can you tell me more about the FaceBook Group? Students can access this anytime and discuss ideas with other students. They can also post art they might be working on that relates to class topic.
- Is the class segmented or do I get everything at once? I have designed the class so you will have access the information at once and can play with it as you like, at your own speed. New weekly videos will pop up with additional project, tidbits and tips.
- What kind of site is being used to host this class? I'm using a protected website.
- How will I access the website? When class begins I will send out passwords to all the students.
- What else will be on the site? Along with the workshop videos 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 willyou accept payment? Stripe as well as PayPal. If you prefer or even a check..don't worry...we can work something out. Just send me and email. mdmuerto@gmail.com
- What will happen after I sign up? I'll send you a confirmation to say "howdy" and invite you to the FaceBook group. Then on Sept. 9th 2016, I will send out the secret codes, etc.
- How do I sign up?
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL
Mama Was A Serpent and Daddy Was The Sea
About two years ago I created a Pegasus piece, given my recent explorations into mythic beasties, it seemed appropriate to delve the flying horse theme once more.
The Myth and Legend and Symbolism
So the basic myth of Pegasus. I'm sure you've seen Clash of the Titans...or a least you should...the original (why? because Ray Harryhausen is the coolest stop-motion animator in the whole universe of monsters...that's why). Well as the tale goes Pegasus was born from the blood of Medusa's severed head, which drizzled into the sea foam. Thus...indirectly...Mommy was a Gorgon and Daddy was Poseidon.
If I were to get all Symbolism about this...to me this a perfect metaphor for how the offspring are not the parents. Blood does not assume a similar destiny. Pegasus's wings are the freedom from the past ...especially when the past that is morally corrupt.
The piece started with a weird barometric device and a hokey horse wall thingy. From there I pushed the aquatic/reptilian ancestry, making Pegasus at least partially aquatic with slithery influences.
A ship rocks in the background...Olympus up above and Medusa's snakes are like sperm to the sea (sort of a gender swap with the gods in this case).
Below Poseidon's hand reaches through a porthole...presumably to create Pegasus.
The finished creation is about 3 ft high and 1 ft wide.
Hope you enjoyed your flight.
Nemean Lion 45" x 30" x 12"
The Nemean Lion - He's One Bad Ass Beasty
As many of you know, lately, I have been intrigued by the idea of reinterpreting mythic animals of yore. It started with a rhino based on a Durer etching, then a giraffe, then some small Alternate Evolutions.
The Nemean Lion - My latest creations is based on the ferocious beast of Greek mythology
Nemean Lion - Peter Paul Rubens
So who is the Nemean Lion? Well as the story goes his father was Typhon (a Titan god/monster sent to mess with the Olympians. Typhon is often described as having serpent legs and wings...sometimes as having many heads...either way he's bad news) and his mother Echidna (who is also rather reptilian...sort of a mermaid but with a snake tail instead). The lion's siblings are a list of baddies: the Hydra, Cerberus, the Sphinx, and the Chimera among others. He had some pretty famous aunts too...Auntie Medusa as well as the Graeae sisters (you probably remember them from Class of the Titans...the three hags who shared and eye). Needless to say the Nemean Lion wasn't raised in a well adjusted home.
Nemean Lion Family Tree
Now the lion, which has no name, was sent by the goddess Hera to the area of Nemea to cause havoc to the region. This was done to piss Zeus off...she was angry at him for some reason, most likely philandering, as he was wont to do. The lion was sent interfere with the locals worshiping a the temple of Zeus, which just so happened to be in Nemea. If you want to make offerings to Zeus...you get eaten. Them's the rules.
The Nemean Lion was no ordinary lion. He was said to be twice the size of a normal lion, his fur was impenetrable to steel and his claws could pierce armor. It is said that the lion devour the local livestock, as well as lure soldiers to there doom by abducting family members.
The 1st Labor of Heracles
Because of all this tomfoolery, Heracles (also know as Hercules by the Romans) was called in to take control of this situation. Heracles had labors to complete to atone for sins (killing his family...though technically Hera is to blame because she made him temporarily insane). The first task was to defeat the Nemean Lion (some of the other tasks were to kill the Hydra, and capture the three headed dog/guardian of the Underworld Cerberus).
The basic story is this...Heracles comes to the bone filled cave and the Lion appears. He shoots a few arrows, which have no effect and just bounce off the animal's hide. The Nemean lion lunges, and Heracles pulls the beast close and strangles him. (There are a few versions of the lion's defeat). Using the claws of the beast, Heracles removes the hide (knives wouldn't cut it) and it becomes his protective garment. I was recently in Rome and Florence I was amazed how many sculptures I saw that made reference to the the first labor of Hercules...usually a statue of Herc wearing his lion cloak.
More Inspiration: Pitti Palace
I admittedly have a bit of empathy for the large feline. Because of this, I wanted him to be fierce yet noble. Much of this inspiration came from the Pitti palace in Florence. The building was lined with massive carvings of lion heads. Gorgeous and powerful.
The Process
This piece I created all started with an enormous door knocker my wife, Andrea found at a thrift store. It was a very simplistic Art Deco-ish design. So I need to use clay to create a bit more detail to the face. From there I wanted to give the sense of armor...not fur, but armor. Decorative designs were added on and around the face to achieve this. Also, I wanted the mane to be heavy duty looking too. I wanted them to look like scales...so I used wooden biscuit joiners that you use in woodworking to create this. Designs would be added later with the use of clay.
The Finished Piece
The piece has some subtle references to the beasts family tree. Snakey forms surrounding him...to honor his snakey parents. A medusa emblem for his sisters.
The sphinx is another one of his sisters. Up on top is the protective (or at least commanding) hand of Hera who employed the beast to do her bidding in Nemea.
The lion started on being rather blue in color and big tour de force came when I started pushing the blue/green back with the warm reddish gold colors. Prior to that I found the piece really boring in its verdigris-ness. The red really jazzed things up. The power of complementary colors.
So I hope you've enjoyed your journey to Nemea. If you do travel that way, I'd recommend either staying away from bone filled caves...which is good advice no matter where you go.
Krampus is Coming to Town
Polly Pickles
Lil' Acrid Ellie
Krampus Portrait Sale on Saturday November 21st starting at 9 a.m. PST.
Click here to go to the Sale Page
So to get ready for the Holiday Season I thought I'd create some of my favorite Christmas naughties. In particular...Krampus. What's that you say...you don't know who Krampus is? Well in alpine regions of Europe it was believed that Saint Nick was accompanied by a sinister long tongued devil who would take care of all the nasty children. Back in the Victorian era he was quite a popular character...usually terrifying young children. So recentIy I collected a number of vintage cabinet cards and photographs of people of all sorts...then using the magic of paint I transformed them into a collection of Krampuses.
I reimagined them not as one devilish character but as a curmudgeonly crew of all sorts and sizes.
Edgar Raventhorn
Milton Moonlover
I reimagined them not as one devilish character but as a curmudgeonly crew of all sorts and sizes.
The Grinch Series
I also created a few Grinch portraits...kind of a Krampus but not exactly. Nonetheless he is a classic Holiday villain...with an great ditty to match.
Heat Miser and Snow Miser
Some of you might remember a Xmas special called A Year Without A Santa Claus. The were a couple of pesty brothers in that...Heat Miser and Snow Miser who I was quite fond of. I reimagined them in the form of a married couple.
Need to jar your memory? Here's a little video reminder of the Misers.
Portland Exhibit at True Measure Gallery
I'm heading back to Portland! This time I'm exhibiting some of my pieces a Jesse Reno's True Measure Gallery. Hope to see some of you at the opening September 4th.
For more information about True Measure Gallery or the work of Jesse Reno:
True Measure Gallery
http://truemeasuregallery.com/
email: contact@truemeasuregallery.com
phone: (503)235-8549
3022 E Burnside, Portland, OR 97214