Daily Art Muse » Workshops

michael demeng transforms the common into the sacred

Susan Lomuto — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:40:44 +0000

Michael deMeng is a mad alchemist. When the assemblage artist finds a discarded shoe or an empty sardine can he doesn’t see garbage, he sees a personal shrine. deMeng’s gift, transforming the common into the sacred, becomes clear when you study pieces like ‘Urning Rubber’, a mixed media reliquary meant to hold treasured objects, and ‘Hell Mask’, that boasts teeth made from a row of matchbook matches.

Urning Rubber, mixed media urn

Guadalupe of the Heeling Sole, mixed media, 12″x 16″x4″

deMeng dementing doll parts

Using mostly cold joins, deMeng deconstructs and reassembles various elements, adding flourishes of drama and painted details, allowing the story to unfold until close inspection makes you feel as though you are inside the dark humor of a macabre comedy.

A Strange Case, mixed media assemblage

Daughters of Lilith {click image to see large}

He does copius amounts of research when he is working on a piece and he shares some of his insights and process on specific assemblages, like ‘Daughters of Lilith’, pictured above. Read the story behind ‘Daughters of Lilith’ here. deMeng also describes many of the components of this piece and how he came to use them. Fascinating.

Hell Mask, mixed media

Heeling, mixed media

“These assemblages are metaphors for the evolutions and revolutions of existence: from life to death to rebirth, from new to old to renewed, from construction to destruction to reconstruction. These forms are examinations of the world in perpetual flux, where meaning and function are ever-changing.” Michael deMeng

Michael’s new book Dusty Diablos: Folklore, Iconography, Assemblage, Ole! will be available next month and his 2007 Secrets of Rusty Things: Transforming Found Objects into Art is still wildly popular. Next up for deMeng is a live 2-part Craftcast Masterclass beginning this Wednesday, February 17th, where he will demystify the process of creating an assemblage piece and teach you “how to stick it all together.” You can also follow deMeng’s blog and become a fan on his Facebook Fan Page.

Hipolite Rafael Chacon on deMeng:

“He characterizes his creative process as an arduous and hellish journey of self-reflection, but making art is also salutary, a cathartic release of internal demons. As in the ex-votos of Latin American altars, need and desire are balanced with belief and hope and deMeng’s works of art mediate between the ancestral past, the life of the living and an unknown future. In his shrines, color, pattern, texture, and repetition of form symbolize the cyclical nature of life and death. His process, evident in the work itself, embraces trial and error and reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of endless regeneration.“

ronna sarvas weltman, hacienda mosaico, remembering beginner’s mind

Susan Lomuto — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:09:55 +0000

One of my intentions for 2010 is to nurture my creative self. I’m off to a good start: In January I set up a brand new studio (I’m still organizing and getting used to the wonderful large space), and I took an online class. Next month I head to Baltimore for the Synergy II conference and March will find me in Mexico attending Ronna Sarvas Weltman’s week-long workshop/retreat at Hacienda Mosaico.

Pendants, Ronna Sarvas Weltman

The workshop will include plenty of technique, as Ronna teaches about resins in addition to polymer clay, wire, shaping and texturing fine silver, copper, bronze and brass, but there will also be a strong focus on connecting students to their own artistic voice and helping them ‘hit the sweet spot’ in their work. Students who have taken classes with Ronna say that her classes are empowering – couple that with a spectacular setting and you’ve got a winning combination for nurturing your creative self. Here’s what Ronna says about the week:

“This week-long workshop will help you find your unique artistic voice through polymer clay and wire. We will experiment, play, laugh, create and transform as we explore and expand ideas about art as adornment. Rounding out the experience will be twice-daily optional (but free) guided exercise by Janis Levine, open studio at night, forays into Puerto Vallarta, and gourmet spa food for breakfast and lunch.” Read the entire workshop description here.

Ronna Sarvas Weltman, Pink Ring, polymer clay, wire

The venue is Hacienda Mosaico, a bed and breakfast in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico that specializes in art retreats. In addition to Weltman’s workshop, the 2010 schedule includes workshops with Michael deMeng, Robert Dancik, Hadar Jacobson and Opie and Linda O’Brien.

Hacienda Mosaico

“You will find cobbled streets, where tortillerias and markets catering to the locals rather than the tourists…..craft shops, cantinas, night life and adventure. Hacienda Mosaico is ideal for small retreats and intimate parties as well as a quiet respite from the busy world….a tranquil vacation destination in a tropical environment for adults.” From Hacienda Mosaico’s website

Hacienda Mosaico Workshop

I am excited about attending Ronna’s worshop – and I will approach it in the way that I now move through all of my days – with Beginner’s Mind. Beginner’s Mind is the Buddhist concept of approaching the study of any topic with openness, eagerness and a lack of preconception – even if you are at an advanced level of study. Last week I was listening to Tara Brach’s podcast (she helps me quiet the chatter of my ‘monkey mind’) when Brach related what is widely considered the most famous line in the book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.”

I find peace, release and comfort in exploring the world with a beginner’s mind. Won’t you join me – in Mexico, in Beginner’s Mind, in exploration?

Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

polymer clay in the news: articles, online class

Susan Lomuto — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:14:45 +0000

Polymer clay is up front and center in the current issue of Art Jewelry magazine (January 2010). Art Jewelry editor Hazel Wheaton lets us in on her conversation with Kathleen Dustin, one of the most eminent artists working with the medium today. Dustin never disappoints and the magazine is worth the price just to see the juicy images of her work and read her philosophy about sharing techniques.

Also in this issue, Seth Savarick taps into the trend we are currently seeing regarding large-scale jewelry in the article “Go Big with Lightweight Polymer Clay.” This is a terrific 6 page how-to for making a BIG, BOLD BANGLE. Savarick will talk about this further at the Synergy2 conference in his seminar, Think BIG / Work Big: Polymer Clay Jewelry On A Grand Scale and in this hands-on workshop.

More polymer clay news this week – on Wednesday, December 2nd, Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily will share her technique for making faux polymer clay beach pebbles in a LIVE, online class hosted by Alison Lee. More from Tinapple about the class here and read what Lee has to say about the polymer pebbles here. If you haven’t tried polymer clay yet, this is a terrific introduction to the medium taught by the author of the premiere blog about polymer clay art. I’ll be attending the Craftcast Masterclass on Wednesday - hope to see you there.

Can’t get enough? Art Jewelry is showing a ‘bonus’ slideshow of Kathleen Dustin’s work on their website in addition to a free ‘wallpaper’ image of a Jeff Dever piece.

dancik’s faux bone masterclass, new dvd and giveaway

Susan Lomuto — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:45:52 +0000

I’m sitting here on this rainy Friday watching Robert Dancik’s recently released DVD, Faux Bone Jewelry: Tools and Techniques. [Don't know what Faux Bone is? Read about it here.]

I’ve watched the DVD, but I haven’t had a chance to experiment with the material yet. First I will attend Robert’s virtual masterclass, Faux Bone: An Exploration, hosted by Craftcast’s Alison Lee on Monday night, September 14th.

Faux Bone: An Exploration, with Robert Dancik

Why attend an online workshop when I already have the DVD? The answer is easy. DVDs, online workshops and face-to-face classes all support and strengthen our ability to learn. Powerful tools separately, yes, but even more so when used together.

The way we learn is changing – I’m happy to participate in a live, online class and use both the DVD and the recording of the live class as important reference tools at a later date. I get different things from each experience and I like having many learning vehicles available.

In Monday’s class, expect Dancik to show us, with his usual humor and come-play-with-me style, that it is all within our reach.

Giveaway!

Lee is sweetening the deal by hosting a giveaway for everyone who registers. Three lucky class participants will win either a copy of Dancik’s new book (which I will cover in another post), a copy of the DVD or a Faux Bone Kit. More details about the giveaway here.

See you Monday night?

susan lenart kazmer: circus troupe and beadfest class

Susan Lomuto — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:40:19 +0000

I am enchanted by objects that do double-duty and I have been intrigued by Susan Lenart Kazmer’s free-spirited mixed-media art since 2006, so I was delighted to see that her new series incorporates removable, wearable art jewelry.

The Opera Singer, sterling silver wire and sheet metal, resin, fiber, feathers, paper

The Circus Troupe will include six figures – The Opera Singer, pictured here, is Kazmer’s first completed figure in the troupe. Made up of a collection of removable jewelry and wearing several rings as her hats, this lady is also adorned with two pairs of earrings, three bangle bracelets, a stack of twelve sterling silver bangles and a charm bracelet skirt. Wow!

Next week Alison Lee and I will be students in one of Kazmer’s classes at Beadfest Philadelphia. Her book and Metalwork DVD have tickled my muse already – I look forward to learning how to craft my own mixed-media rings.

Will we see you at Beadfest Philadelphia? Let me know!

Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists

Read more about The Opera Singer’s story and removable components here and if you missed it, you can still listen to Kazmer’s 2008 Craftcast interview here.

tory hughes in france, in print, in life: practicing creative action

Susan Lomuto — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:07:02 +0000

You get to a certain place in your work, where you have been essentially expressing who you are for a really long time and you realize that even if somebody else tried to express you, they will never be able to, because they are not you. When we as artists or creators are willing to be really present in the moment, then there is an integrity, an authenticity. Tory Hughes, Ornament Magazine, Volume 32, No. 4

Best known for her groundbreaking imitative work in polymer clay, Tory Hughes’ real gift is the way she approaches art, life and the journey of blending the two.

Tory Hughes

In the current issue of Ornament magazine, Jill DeDominicis explores The Path From Nothing to Something with Hughes, including what DeDominicis’ describes as Hughes’ philosophy of “creativity as both a highly personalized act and a common drive that unifies humanity across time and place.” Articulate and well-informed, Hughes’ wise-sage wisdom, playful nature and generosity of spirit are evident throughout the four page spread.

Ornament Magazine

In September Hughes heads to France to lead a small group of artists in Perception and Play, a creativity retreat for artists working in any medium. With a genuine curiousity about the world that spills over into her art and her thoughtful words, she is the consummate workshop leader. This time she puts away her polymer clay tools and techniques and instead, engages participants in an exploration of how to “connect you more deeply to your own creative, innovative abilities, goals and resources” as only she can.

Still need convincing? Four years ago I attended a five day workshop with Hughes and today I still draw on the tangible and intangible gifts I received while studying her art, absorbing her vast knowledge about polymer clay and her deep understanding of the artistic process.

I was told that there are only a few seats left in her upcoming retreat. If you are looking to break down self-imposed barriers, navigate uncharted waters or simply relax into a new understanding of your journey, don’t miss this opportunity to revisit your childlike sense of wonder with Hughes.

For more information about the September retreat, Perception and Play, click here (there it is – the start of practicing creative action – clicking on the link is where it begins!).

Read more about her own journey of play and risk here.

La Cascade, France. Are you ready for the adventure?

tim mccreight is coming to my house

Susan Lomuto — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:00:15 +0000

Tim McCreight is coming to my house to teach me how hammers and other tools can assist me in my design process. I had dinner with Tim at the Synergy conference last year and he is as he seems: warm, accessible, down-to-earth, engaging. It was during our dinner with Tim that night that Alison Lee (CraftCast) had an idea for a series of online workshops and she produced her first Master Class a few months after that dinner.

I’m pretty excited that Tim is coming to my house on Monday night. Sweet! But wait, there’s no reason to be envious – he can come to your house too – even if you live on the other side of the globe!

On Monday, May 11th at 8pm (EST), McCreight will teach “Design, a Blow by Blow Approach”, the newest Master Class. Watch, listen and learn from the comfort of your living room with another cutting edge online workshop from CraftCast.

Tim McCreight, a renowned metalsmith, teacher and author has published two dozen books and videos. In Monday’s online workshop McCreight shares his design expertise, including how a hammer became as important as a pencil in his design process and how his new experience of trusted tools helped him develop a deeper appreciation for chance and spontaneity. I’ll be there. In my living room. With Tim. Won’t you join us? Click the image above to register.

dan cormier is peeling polymer!

Susan Lomuto — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:00:38 +0000

Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes are winding down a stellar Southeast USA teaching tour with one more weekend workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina this coming weekend. There are a few spots left in the 2-day Cutting Edge, Decorative Veneers in Polymer Clay class, and if you hurry you can snag one! For more information and to register, click here.

This will be the fourth and final Cutting Edge workshop on this trip – workshops in Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta sold out and were a resounding success. One student, who has been working with polymer clay for more than 20 years said that she learned more in two Cutting Edge days than she has in two decades!

Join Dan and Tracy in Raleigh, won’t you?
Where: ArtSpace, Raleigh, North Carolina

When: Saturday & Sunday, March 28 & 29 10am – 5pm each day

What: The Cutting Edge

Why: Learn how a peeler can become your favorite new tool for this medium, and see why students in eight countries are calling this workshop “fabulous… fun… awesome…inspiring…a revelation… mind-blowing… truly Cutting Edge.”

dancik’s amulets & talismans on craftcast

Susan Lomuto — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:06:32 +0000

Robert Dancik’s first Craftcast Masterclass last December was so well received (more than 100 people attended the online class) that Alison Lee is bringing Dancik back in March for a triple play!

This time Dancik will teach, Amulets & Talismans. The class will meet (virtually, of course) for three consecutive Mondays starting March 2nd. Dancik will guide students as they craft their own amulet, exploring design, process and techniques in each of the three 90 minute sessions. See more of Dancik’s work here.

Amulet made with reflector from bicycle – maybe your childhood bicycle?

Why do we keep things like old ticket stubs, keys to cars we no longer own, a lock of someone’s hair, an earring with no mate, a used book of matches? Why? Because these are not just objects, these are the reservoirs of memories. They protect us from forgetting. They afford us comfort. Robert Dancik

Lee will be utilizing a new interactive software that allows for an easier, more satisfying online-learning experience. Great way to start a new month.

More information and registration here!

cormier and holmes: spring break!

Susan Lomuto — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:58:34 +0000

Like all the cool kids, Dan Cormier and Tracy Holmes are flying south for Spring Break. This is the first trip to our warm and wonderful southeast border for the Vancouver, British Columbia based polymer clay artists. Although the globe-trotting couple has taught their original techniques in eight different countries and across most of the United States, somehow they never managed to make it to the southeast corner of the U.S…until now!

They begin their visit in Tampa, Florida with back to back 2-day workshops and if you hurry you can still get a seat in the March 5-6th class, The Cutting Edge. But please hurry – the Building Better Beads class on March 7 and 8th has already sold out!

Tracy and Dan’s next stop is the 2009 Orlando Clay Fandango Retreat in St. Augustine Florida (March 13-15th) where they will teach The Cutting Edge and A Day at the Beach (Tracy’s really unreal polymer clay pebbles!). Rumor has it that these classes are also sold out so I’m thinking a road trip might be in order. Atlanta anyone? Dan and Tracy will be in Georgia March 20-22nd. Here’s what the dynamic duo has to say about this opportunity:

For the last weekend of our teaching schedule, we have just added three days in Atlanta, offering ’A Day at the Beach‘ and ‘The Cutting Edge.’ These workshops are sponsored by the Greater Atlanta Polymer Clay Guild, and will be hosted at Barbara McGuire’s lovely Art Estate Studio near Lake Lanier in Buford. Another debut destination (and one that likely won’t be on our schedule again for a while), this is a rare opportunity for anyone in Georgia or the neighbouring states to join us for one or both of these workshops.

Ready for some warmer weather? More details? Ready to register? Contact Tracy: tracy[at]dancormier[.]ca.

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savarick class at barnsdall art

Susan Lomuto — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:41:40 +0000

This just in: Seth Savarick’s studio jewelry class at Barnsdall Art Center in Los Angeles California starts tonight – if you act quickly you can grab a seat at the table for this Winter Session class and learn from one of the best. Hey, is there really a “winter” in LA?

Explore the use of polymer modeling clays in creating fine studio jewelry. For students of all levels. Course to include Basic and advanced cane creation, lamination techniques including mokume gane and chatoyancy effects, image transfers and surface techniques as well as hollow form construction, fabrication and fine finishing techniques.

Call 323-644-6295 for more information or click here.

c-c-c-c-old c-c-c-c-onnections

Susan Lomuto — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:40:27 +0000

I live in the woods. Well, I live on a property that backs up against 1,000 acres of woods. Surrounded by some suburbia but hours away from the nearest big city. Why am I telling you this? Because it isn’t always easy to find workshops that are near enough to make the cost reasonable. You too? It’s not easy, right?

CraftCast MasterClass with Robert Dancik

Until now. Modern technology meet Alison Lee. Lee took a kernel of an idea and quickly ‘mastered’ the technology necessary to bring quality classes to the masses. The online classes make it easy for me to enjoy creative classes from the comfort of my living room, interacting with teachers at the top of their game in the art-making world. The classes are gaining popularity as she teams up with well-known studio artists like Seth Savarick, Dayle Doroshow and now Robert Dancik.

Robert Dancik – see how he rivets

For tomorrow night’s MasterClass with Robert Dancik (8pm EST), Lee will connect people from all over the world to Dancik’s wildly popular workshop “Forming Meaningful and Lasting Attachments”. The class features cold connections including riveting, tabbing and micro fasteners. There will be video, audio, pictures, digital handouts and a healthy dose of humorous interaction that you only get when you put two high energy creative characters like Lee and Dancik together and all the world is their stage!

Robert Dancik

90 minutes of tips, techniques and inspiration from the always entertaining and uber-generous Robert Dancik. 90 minutes of quality high-tech fun provided by our favorite host, Alison Lee. This workshop is not just for artists using metal – pick your medium – paper, polymer, fiber…there are tips for everyone.

Jump on over to CraftCast for more information about the class and about the online workshop process. Then register and join more than 50 people who have already signed up! See you there!

artistsnetwork.tv

Susan Lomuto — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:00:27 +0000

ArtistsNetwork.tv, a division of F+W Publications, offers online video instruction from leading artists. Launched earlier this year, most of the workshops are for painting and drawing. There are two about collage and acrylic techniques by Merle Rosen that looked interesting for non-painters (like me). The site provides video previews so potential students can get a glimpse of the content before purchasing a workshop. Nicely done.

creative sparks with dayle doroshow

Susan Lomuto — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:13:38 +0000

On Monday, October 20th Craftcast host Alison Lee will welcome mixed media artist Dayle Doroshow into the Craftcast studio to teach us how to build a fire…a creative fire. The Creative Sparks MasterClass, a 90 minute live workshop accessible via computer or phone, promises to ignite our imaginations.

For those of you who couldn’t be at Synergy 2008, now is your chance to experience a taste of what Synergy was all about – Creative Sparks is the presentation that Doroshow shared with us at the conference, and she told me that for the MasterClass she is taking it up a notch or two.

Learn to nurture creative kernels and grow them into ART…Discover new creative habits to keep momentum going strong…Explore ways to incorporate play in the artmaking process…Learn to embrace chaotic moments when things go wrong and use them for fuel

A new feature of the audio MasterClass is the addition of images that attendees will be able to view during the class. Dayle will have exercises and homework to jumpstart your creative mind, so get your pencils ready!

One exercise will explore how thinking about color in a different way can lead to a new approach for a series of jewelry or other work. This exercise can help you embrace color palettes – even those out of your comfort zone. This is an exciting place to journey to- I promise!! Dayle Doroshow

If you would like to join this spirited conversation (students will have the chance to ask questions during the presentation) visit the Craftcast website to register.

Psst: I almost forgot to mention that everyone who registers for this class is instantly entered into a fantastic giveaway worth $175! Do it!

weekend plans: cota in new paltz

Susan Lomuto — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:00:40 +0000

If the weather holds up I’ll be heading to New Paltz on Saturday for COTA. The second annual Celebration Of The Arts promises to be an interesting event, “a day when professional artists pay it forward and create community by nurturing those just beginning their journey.” On the schedule are a variety of seminars, arts networking opportunities, performances, fine art and two installations that I am eager to see.

Maybe I’ll see you there? [Just read that COTA will be held on the raindate - Sunday, September 28th. That gives you more time to figure out how to get there. See you Sunday!]