The Day Called for Demented Toys and then some Relief

I am so fortunate to call Tangerine shop owner Gina Gabriell a friend. She has the most generous heart, and always knows how to bring art into the lives of those she knows. So it was with lots of excitement some months ago when she told me that Micheal DeMeng would be stopping for a 3-day teaching stint at the shop. I couldn't believe it! He was going to be right here in our backyard. So without hesitation I signed up!

I was not available for the first day of his classes, but was able attend on Monday and Tuesday for Demented Toys and What a Relief. His amazing art was on display (pictured above) and when you see it in person, you see how much detail goes into each piece.

We learned a variety of painting techniques - including his recipes for some creepy effects and how to deconstruct and recontruct a variety of objects including lots of Barbi dolls and every toy imaginable. What each student came up with was an eclectic array indeed! Each toy had the stamp of its maker on it, and at the end of the day, we came together to discuss how each of us felt about our work.

I was surrounded by dear friends and boy, did we have fun! We all shared the bags of odds and ends we had brought to possible use in our project and laughed and  learned all at the same time.

Pictured from left are Julee Herman, Susan Bartolucci, Ms. Gina, and me. Among the 15 students the first day of class were also friends Lana Kloch and on day two of my learning adventure, Colleen Moody joined us.

At the end of both days and with the song of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" playing, we all placed our projects on the table as Micheal went through each one discussing the good points. Mine is the little horned-China-head-doll-rolling-serpent-mermaid-toy-thingy pictured at the bottom far right on the white paper towel. (It was still dripping with layers of paint!)

 

On the second day of classes with Micheal, we learned all sorts of methods to manipulate paper and use it within our framed pieces. My creative wheels were spinning with ways I am going to incorporate what I learned into my own art.

Thank you Micheal for sharing your creative secrets with us and thank you Gina for making the learning experience possible!

Comments

[AwtemNymf]

Wow- what a fun workshop that must have been! Wish we had things like that in my town?!
Flying around and visiting Cassie's party goers! Fabulous place you have! I enjoyed my visit!
Be Enchanted!

Opal Moon Enchantments

[Sylvia Anderson]

So glad that you all had fun Iva, and learned a bunch too!! I can't wait to see your piece in person. :)

[Barbara]

I love your artwork Iva. I hope to own more of it in the future.
Barbara....aka Colleens' mom!!