2022 12 Toolin' Samples

 In June of 2023 I will be teaching an assemblage class at Shake Rag Alley in Mineral Point, WI. The ability to register for the class starts on January 4th at the Shake Rag website. 

Here is the course description: "What is assemblage? According to the Encarta Dictionary: Assemblage (is) a work of art made from a collection of different objects. Have you ever wanted to do assemblage but feel like you do not have enough stuff? That has never been a problem for Gary. He has been collecting tools for 15 years in order to add them to his art and he has way too many in his basement. So Gary is offering an assemblage workshop where ALL THE TOOLS YOU COULD WANT TO SEE are going to be provided. Gary will be teaching the basics of assemblage construction plus mixed media techniques so that you will be able to create a work of art from a tool that will become your core central object. You will be able to select found object tools for your projects from Gary’s stash and then learn how to build an assemblage. Attach objects together and decorate them into a unified work of art with the goal of creating an assemblage work made from found objects that tells a story. The three days should allow for more than one project to be started if not completed. Throughout the class there will be time built in to share ideas, review our work and learn from fellow participants. 

3 days, free crap, cool works of art and lots of fun—what more are you looking for?"

I made two samples to explain some of the ways a "tool" assemblage class could go. 

My Picture Drowned In A Transparent Tear

Tell Every Dream That Knocks To Go Away

2022 11 Oaxaca With Michael deMeng Dia Nueve

Thursday, November 3, 2022

With our class over and our excursion set for 10:00 a.m., I did not go down to breakfast until the shockingly late 7:30 a.m. 

After that I decided to walk up to do the other half of the Xochimilco cemetery that I did not see yesterday but the gate was locked. I guess I did not realize that after Dia that would happen. However, I was still able to walk the neighborhood on the other side of the cemetery that I normally walk.

At 10:00 a.m. we boarded the van for our extra excursion on this after class date.

Out the Window #8

The weird thing about street photography is that you shoot to get a photo like this:

a guy juggling all by himself

A photo about fotos

Gotta go

This morning Mija, Rex and I went with a driver to the Tierra Antigua weavers in Teotitlan. We learned about dying and weaving from one of the grandsons of the founder. It was very personal with such a small group. Had a three course lunch (taco, soup, beef with mole) that was elegant and excellent.

This rug was made in the style of Diego Rivera.,,and yes I did see the sin fotos sign but well...

The natural dyes

Mija with her rugs

Out the Window #9 and the last

After we returned to the hotel I went out for a walk.

Walkabout #11

I walked to the Instituto Oaxa Queno de las Artesanias (the Artisan’s museum).

Next was a stop at the Photography museum which had an exhibition of photos, "Veinte Anos de Dia de Muertos" by Ernesto Bazan. 

Also on exhibition was "Archivos del Antropoceno" by Luis Paredes.

Next I walked down to the Benito Juarez market where I got to buy some tin and a shirt.

My last stop was the Taller-Galeria Siqueiros where I bought a print of a photographer with hummingbird, a fitting work of art to close out my experience in Oaxaca with my camera.

Why not end the day with a rainbow?

Tonight's Farewell dinner at 7:00 pm is at Criollo.

Thanks to Jennifer McGee for this photo

I was back to the hotel by 9:15 pm to do final packing and get to bed by 10:00 pm as I need to rise at 3:15 a.m. to get ready to catch a 4:15 a.m. taxi to the airport. 

Friday, November 4, 2022

On this return home day, I catch a United Airlines out of Oaxaca to Houston at 6:45 a.m. After about a two hour layover, I am on the next leg to Chicago and arrive around 2:30 p.m. I was able to catch a Coach USA bus back to Milwaukee and Denice picked me up at the bus depot at 5:00 p.m.

And so with that, the 2022 version of Oaxaca with Michael de Meng comes to an end. I want to thank Michael, Colleen, Mija and all my art buddies for another magical time in a magical place.