deMenging of HalloVine as presented by Michael deMeng!

How lucky can one person be to have a class with Michael deMeng! I do know ...........pretty lucky..I first met Michael almost a year ago October. I was privileged to take a class with him. He is truly joyous about sharing his love of all things junk and his artistic secrets. Even the most insecure in their artistic abilities would find comfort and encouragement in his gentle, and positive teaching style. However, I know I am not alone in meeting Michael. He has traveled the world sharing his talents, and insights with many other fortunate souls. He is accomplished in many fields, and has an eager spirit for adventure whether it be finding bits and pieces of junk to use in his creations, traveling , or trying new things. He work defies description. He has the imagination, and artistic vision to take castoff junk and turn it into the most incredible works of art. This is what he says about his work, "My work is about transformations. It is about the transformation of the common into the sacred. Discarded materials find new and unexpected uses in my work; they are reassembled and conjoined with unlikely components, a form of rebirth from the ashes into new life and new meaning. 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."
It was during class that wine and our family winery, the subject of my other life, as well as, Halloween the favorite subject of my artistic life presented itself. I am very pleased to announce that Michael is the artist for our family winery's Halloween HalloVine wine label this year. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, and instructional skills, Michael is the author of two books, Secrets of Rusty Things, and Dusty Diablos. We feel very honored to have the artistry of his work and the artistry of our wine combine to make a truly beautiful presentation, and memorable taste experience.

To see more of Michael’s work you may go to http://www.michaeldemeng.com/ Following is his contact information assemblage@michaeldemeng.com

Michael will be teaching classes at Tangerine (a little artistic shop) 7038 Village Parkway in Dublin CA on September 26th, 27th and 28th. On Sunday September 26th from 5:00 until 6:30 there will be a special reception to reveal Michael’s HalloVine label and the HalloVine wine. He will also be signing his new book Dusty Diablos. If you miss this reception he will be available to sign his label and his book at noon on all three days of the class, and he will also be available after class (5:00) on Monday and Tuesday as well. If you would like to view more information, or get directions to Tangerine please go to this website http://www.elevenmorningstangerine.com/

The HalloVine wine this year is something very special. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2005. This wine has been aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, and then bottle aged to perfection. It is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Napa Valley fruit, 13.8 % alcohol. It has strong notes of black current, and is a rich and zesty wine that will continue to age beautifully, potentially for another 10 to 15 years. It has berry jam and supple tannins with a long sweet oak smooth finish. It pairs well with mildly seasoned beef, beef stews, and of course dark Halloween chocolate.

The wine may be ordered from the winery by going to the winery website http://www.madonnaestate.com/, and and then click the online store, or by calling Brette, or Roxane (Monday –Friday) at (866) 724-2993, or emailing brette@madonnaestate.com

Thank You Michael.......the perfect complement of art and wine!

Necklooses'.........Abound!

Does "neckloose" sound too much like neck noose? If it does then good..........why not invent your own word for something. I think everyone should have their own dialect.......and dictionary of words etc. that mean something to them. I mean we all mostly misunderstand ourselves, and others anyway, so why bother. Besides with art it's good not to be understood.......that way everything you do is open for interpretation, and meaningful in an individual way. I had this discussion over the weekend with friends.......it doesn't matter what the truth is........it's everyone's perception that counts.........Anyway, why do we have to wear jewelry in a conventional way, or call it by some universal label? Wear your necklooses' draped down your back.........you should look at least as good going as coming. Or scatter some pins, like a fabric dog and his bone in different spots.............dog on your shoulder, bone on your knee......but only if you are wearing pants. Here are some necklooses, as I call them to be worn in your own individual way!

My Great........Grandparents from Sweden who like to hang around.........
Looks like a watch and when people ask the time I just make up one...........

Same story.........looks like a relative, and when people ask..........it's always a different one....I personally like it's my cousin on my Mother's side once removed...........

This always gets me........it's true people are always trying to be politically correct........they ask if this a relative..........look closely.........I don't think so........I say in my mind............but then again I guess Americans are are a composite of many different cultures............

Perfect for some unknown reason......... a Victorian figure with a cartoon background.....

I call this an odd bit.......fabric and a bit of recycled whatever.........formerly known as jewelry........

This was a mistake........which of course is my fave piece................the best things come from unexpected places..........

Old ribbon befitting an old woman..........who came out of the shoe.....

Scatter pin.......where is her fan?

Yes, I do wear all the pieces I make.......try them out.....discovering if by chance that it get in the way of what I am doing, or catches on a doorknob.....ornamentation is the spice of life!

Never take yourself or anyone else too seriously...........

The Way I Roll..............

I was thinking about how many ways we create art and the inspiration for our creations, and I decided that probably I might be a little weird in the way I approach both. I don't want to sound like I think I may be unique in how I approach things........that idea got shot down in third grade when the teacher explained that is there is not much new in the world, but only different ways in which to re-invent things in it. Soooooooo, my way of re-inventing things for the sake of agreement.......I will say is different. I do not plan what I am going to make, other than to make sure that I have random piles of "good", as opposed to bad junk surrounding me at all times for inspiration. Art has a life of it's own....so it really is futile to try and plan a creation. I rely on instinct at that moment when I see something.........I grab it.......I see something else I grab it and somehow it all comes together. That is why I probably could never teach a class on what I do.........because I don't know what it is until I do it. It is risky to create this way, because I am in fear that maybe the right mix of things will not come together. So far that has never happened. I always seem to find the one thing I need to add to the next. The frustrating thing about this is though, that I know I have boxes and bins of great junk.........stored that I may be missing out on using. I can't store everything I have in my studio. A couple of other things that makes my methods madness is that I like to think of stories, and titles of works before the works are created.........then if something I happen to make clicks with a story or a title it's a match. I like to work in the late evening and into the early morning. There is just something odd about creating during the day. There is not the same vibe as in the night. Maybe what I do is a secret from myself and when I wake in the day.........I can surprise myself with what I have made. I do that you know...........things look differently in the daylight.

I get inspiration from a variety of sources........below are a few pictures from a recent vacation to Alaska. I am true to myself today I created four totally unexpected unplanned pieces for the Tinsel and Treasures on September 18th.

Off The Cuff..........

First Cuff.......Fista Cuffs........... Old velvet and found bangles.......

Who would think that the word cuff, with a variety of meanings, would be that big a deal. Apparently, I would.....I am fascinated by cuffs of all kinds. I decided to create my version of a cuff. I had some old material sample books that were crying out to be used, plus the fact that I was always tripping over them. The material from the small books was just the right size to fit around my wrist........serendipity......did I really write that? Anyway, it is no small feat to get the material out of the sample books. It was a struggle to take out the gigantic staples, and then scrape all the paper off the back of the material........but I must live up to the myth of the struggling artist. I timidly created the first cuff, and then was reminded....that there are no rules when creating art. What other pursuit can you do exactly what you want to do, and when you want to do it? What I want to do is everything, and my time of choice is between the hours of 11 PM and 3 AM........The cuffs below are just the beginning, and will continue until I am on to something else. They are one of a kind, and I plan to wear them at the end of a shirt that is either long sleeved or short sleeved. Word of warning, however, it's not the smartest thing in the world to wear them on a cruise ship.......they can be mistaken for sea sickness sea bands.........trust me I know.

Photo transfer/fabric.....treated to simulate oil cloth......

Handcuffs also have their place........but for now......it's Just these BeCuffs! And you know what I like best about them........they do not look "robotically" created.

Hold It..............SNAP!

Do you think my relatives, or my pets would have held it.......if I had said hold it......or they knew what I had in mind for their picture?

Grandmother............on mother's side............

Grandma Mabel from Texas, as the Horseless HeadWoman............ She looks mean, doesn't she........I guess if you were stuffed and stuck inside a box with only a rope day in and day out you would look mean too.
Mabel small.................. Little did she know what was in store for her. ...........to sit in a wire chair all day long wearing a crazy Halloween hat.

Even my dogs Jethro and Ellie Mae were unaware.....

that were about to co-mingle with my dad Franklin and his mother Gertrude from Sweden..............

Then there are the countless others that are relatives of someone who have unknowingly posed for all manner of art.

Like this brother and sister.........in The Night of the House of Tiddly Winks....
And these Foundlings Three...........who might not be orphans at all.........but being forced to carry all their belongings with them wherever they go.....for eternity.....

This family below is destined for greatness........something to do with Halloween I suspect.........they look like vintage relatives of the Munster Family...complete with crow and all.
So, be wary when someone asks you to pose for a photo...........it could, and most likely will be used in some mysterious work of art....especially if I am taking the picture.....imagine an image of you living many lives throughout the ages. In art everything is fair game for me, and not too much is held sacred.

Give Georgia a Rest.....Halloween is On My MInd!

It is very hard for me not to think about Halloween everyday, because it is my favorite Holiday. I can see Halloween in most everything. A tile, or cracks in a wall, can look spooky. The wet ring left by something on a smooth surface can also give off an eerie vibe. Even though I see the symbols and signs of Halloween everywhere I look, I also consult more conventional means for Halloween inspiration. An example of that would be the book Dressed for Thrills/ 100 Years of Halloween/Masquerade Costume by Phyllis Galembo. She is a fine art portrait photographer, and author of books on ethic cultural, Halloween, masquerade, and ritual ceremony from Haiti, and Africa. I first came across her work, however, when I was researching a project on Vodou. I was intrigued with her great sense of color and style. Go to her website ( http://www.galembo.com/ )if you wish to see pictures that are very colorful, and inspire thoughts of Halloween. I have spoken with Phyllis on the phone, about perhaps doing a project out here in the west, and I hope to meet her one day. Please enjoy a prelude of pictures from Dressed to Thrill that will be perfect to get you thinking about all the possibilities of Halloween.

Masquerade.........Parade......Possibilites are endless.............

I Yam What I Yam.........I'm EYE Pop!

OK.........to reveal a little more of one's true artistic nature, or not ............that is the predicament. No matter what, it will probably end up being a love/hate situation. Because at one time or another don't we all love/hate what we create. We all battle with our inner selves......and which souls we should bear to the world. Here is a sampling of weird Halloween from the past. Spirits that may still live with me, or may have passed on and changed guides. Weird Halloween let me count the ways................. From the Graveyard........to the Bone Yard....and beyond.........

Cat Impodster...........

Ghosts of Financial Spirits Passed........

Memorial "Guard" In Witch..........

Chatty Catty...........

Krampus on Campus.......
She Devil Lamplighter........with a Radish Lamp Pete Loaf your worst Halloween comfort food nightmare......
You are never alone............these spirits will follow you home from the Bone Yard!
Cher Crow
Cat..... Canabull.............
Ah Spare Us Gus......
Ever Herd of Cats in a Catgo Line?.............

Eva Fangoria.........Desperate and Dressed to kill...........

Goth Bat Boy

Ghost Whisperer.................

Not shaking the bush here boss.......but bearing the soul!