A visit with Michael deMeng in Mexico

On Thursday, we ventured out after a leisurely brunch  to pay a visit to  Michael deMeng who was teaching a four day class at Hacienda Mosaico here in Puerto Vallarta. Michael toured us around the large open air  workshop, and graciously gave me an overview of some of the various techniques he employs to create his fabulous and famous shrines and assemblages.

Michael pointed out how often  people don't realize how much of his work involves a number of different paint techniques to create the rich and ancient surfaces that make his art pieces look as though they were catapulted out of centuries past.  He spends  a significant amount of time reviewing and demonstrating many of his paint techniques at his workshops.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to see some of his pieces 'in person' (see below)  No matter how precise the photography, believe me, Michael's art is spectacularly precious and detailed beyond what a camera could possibly  capture.  He truly is a master!

       

in the Hacienda Mosaico studio

Michael invited me to take a sneak peek at his  new book (preorders available here) "Dusty Diablos: Folklore, Iconography, Assemblage, Ole!"   I only leafed through a few pages but from what I saw, it was packed full of instructions and techniques.  I've ordered mine! 

"The Blue Devils" and  "The Lonely Heart Shrines"

The "stash"  in the studio of all things old and rusty - Michael said Sam (the owner of Hacienda Mosaico) had collected this assortment of 'diamonds in the rough'  in anticipation of his workshop.

Another outstanding assemblage piece by Michael deMeng

For more information on Michael's upcoming workshops, visit his blog here

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Sharing Images from Old Town

Partial Cupola

Folding Walls

Spanish Architectural Nougat

I've found a reliable internet hook up and will be uploading  some of my favorite captured vistas and images each day over the next couple of weeks.  I am absolutely captivated by the combination of architectural details and endless textural surfaces.  I'm fairly certain many of my blogger friends also share this adoration for old and aged patinas.

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Two Dresses Studio is

on vacation - see you in March!

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Tweekin and Punkin More Steam...

                            Numero Three - (my favorite) - Digital

T H A N K  Y O U  .....

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I'd like to thank those of you who provided me with great  feedback with my steampunk  post last week. I'm still mucking around with that particular composition  and as you can see above, adjusted  the hues, and contrast again as I tried  to marry all three of the above images.

Your help was much appreciated. 

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Gratitude - Giving and Receiving

Pandora  "Valentine" Charms from my love this morning - Thank you Love!

A charming Poe bookmark  from Red for being the "Early Bird" in Capolan's Poe Tarot Deck  - Thank you Red!

OWOH Giveaway to Gina - Thank you for your visit Gina!

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OWOH Magic Carpet Ride Winner - Gina "Metaphysical Musings"

 I wanted to offer a  sincere thank you to those bloggers who took some  time  during this annual event to read through some of my posts, sign up to follow Two Dresses Studio or were thoughtful enough to  leave me  a comment.  

I've enjoyed visiting new blogs that Lisa's event lead me to and have many bookmarked to continue to visit long after this event is over. 

Using the random number generator on-line  the winner is #167 - Gina from http://metaphysicalmusings.blogspot.com/ 

The handmade pendant I am sending to Gina is photographed above this post.

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More Steampunk

Version 4

 

Version 3 - 6.50 x 8.65  Mixed Media Collage

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Could I ask for an opinion and Freebie?

I've completed my work for the upcoming project but am now stymied with which of the 3 images I should use as the final and am hoping to get some input from other bloggers.

I'll post them as 1, 2 and 3 and if you're reading this, would you mind leaving a message with which one you favor. 

My thoughts -

The first one I thought didn't have enough contrast, the 2nd one I like better, but then in the 3rd version, I added the 3 images of the very proper Victorian man falling through space hopefully implying by his positioning that my Steampunk Diva somehow has the   power to evoke this 'magic.'  Welcome to my inner world of fantasy and indecision :0)  Thanks for your input.

1

2

3

P.S.  If you'd like one for yourself, feel free to double click an image and then click SAVE AS.  If you post it on the web, please credit Two Dresses Studio. 

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Exploring Steampunk - Capolan Project - First and second efforts

I'm enjoying exploring the world of Steampunk - something I'm not familiar with and had it not been for The Capolan Group, I'd continue to be in the fog about this 'genre'.  The challenge for me is to find a way to express it that isn't Punk or Goth or Retro-Revival. 

Below, a second effort with a definitive Daliesque touch -

Effort #3 - combining the 2 above

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"Chelsea Morning" Fabric Skinny Page - back 4 x 8

Oh, won't you stay,

We'll put on a day,

There's a sun show,

Every second.....

If only you will stay....

Still patiently waiting for me to add the embroidery and beads...but almost there!  The image of the man  I transferred onto organza  is from  Flickr's  "Land of Nod" - Thank you!  Hand dyed fabrics - Luscious Layers,  felt and doily remnants - Value Village ....Lyrics - Joni Mitchell :0)

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....ah-ha - that's better...a maintenant fini mon cher!

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"...woke up, it was a Chelsea morning...." Fabric Page

Woke up, it was a chelsea morning, and the first thing that I heard

Was a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the words
It came a-reeling up like christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drums

Oh, won't you stay
Well put on the day
And we'll wear it till the night comes

Woke up, it was a chelsea morning, and the first thing that I saw
Was the sun through yellow curtains, and a rainbow on the wall
Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you, crimson crystal beads to beckon

Oh, won't you stay
Well put on the day
There's a sun show every second

Now the curtain opens on a portrait of today
And the streets are paved with passersby
And pigeons fly
And papers lie
Waiting to blow away

Woke up, it was a chelsea morning, and the first thing that I knew
There was milk and toast and honey and a bowl of oranges, too
And the sun poured in like butterscotch and stuck to all my senses

Oh, won't you stay
Well put on the day
And we'll talk in present tenses

When the curtain closes and the rainbow runs away
I will bring you incense owls by night
By candlelight
By jewel-light
If only you will stay

Pretty baby, won't you

Wake up, its a chelsea morning....

Fabric Skinny Page - 4 x 8

This is a new fabric page I made that's almost finished.  I still have yet to add a few lyrics from one of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs "Chelsea Morning."  The rich orange and golden hues of the hand dyed fabric (from Luscious Layers) remind me of a sunrise.  The door is from Paper Whimsy and that  particular shade of blue places  me right back on the  cobblestone streets in Santorini.  Both the paper flower and petite tags which read Dream, Believe, and Wish came as  part of a surprise package I received  from a dear blog friend - Lorraine Stobie.  There are bits of doilies, a button, beads all  intertwined, embroidered and machine stitched over toile  fabric left over from my daughter's wedding veil. 

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The enchantment of the hoarfrost....best viewed in person, or click to enlarge

 

Backyard Photos - Uncut - February 4th, 2010

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Chilly but Brilliant - best viewed large

Backyard - Frayed Tibetan Prayer Flags - February 4th, 2010

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January FOCUS

 Header and Background

 Sidebar Buttons, Avatars and Hot Links

My plate was full with design work in January as I began working on four different projects all within a week of each other.

"The Muse" and I began working together mid January and I completed this final  blog design a week ago for one of her many blogs "A Diva's Hammer Wielded by The Muse."   I thoroughly enjoyed her company and also her Logophile Games (see below for direct link) are very aMUSing.

I'd tell you more about "The Muse" but I can honestly say, I only know she is a she!  ....and a very talented and gifted  poet and artist.  But don't take my word for it.  Visit her at www.adivashammer.blogspot.com

Still busy with the other projects, I'm hoping to capture some free time to visit the One World One Heart Blog Event, now surpassing 700 blogs, I am told!

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