Michael deMeng Assemblage Workshop
After two of the most intense, fun days of workshop, fingers still tacky with Dap and matt medium, evidence of Michael deMeng's signature colors spotting my hands (and, oops, a little on my clothes:), I must say his Assemblage workshop is a most amazing learning experience. I noticed as I worked well outside my 'box' (excuse the pun) how far I was stretching artistically, which isn't always possible in the comfort of one's own studio. Of course, that's what workshops are for; this, however, is my first one. Straight to the top. Studio to deMeng - ha. The Secrets of Rusty Things indeed, and verdigris and copper and burnt paper, and when I return home I will approach each new project from a radically altered point of view, in terms of technique, perspective and, well, joy.
A warm, witty and very funny man, Michael is the best kind of teacher - so outwardly comfortable in his own skin that if he does have an ego, he doesn't unpack it along with his favorite paints, tubes of goo, power tools and metal stuff. Rather than using formal, technical terms, he has his own vocabulary and, in the way thingy is so descriptive, we were able to spend all our time immersed in process rather than trying to decipher what exactly it was he was trying to convey.
For any of you who have yet to take his workshop, especially in my new favorite place - Saluda, North Carolina - big enough to sell Dap at the hardware store and small enough so that the diner is part of the same building - avail yourself of any and every opportunity. Pictures to come.
Comments
Jane
John
the way you summed up michael's class and teaching style is PERFECT- and interesting how you describe having a new POV- that is something i came home with as well.
nice work-
lorraine