Thursday, February 12, 2026
I was up at 6:30 a.m. this morning so that when I ate breakfast at the hotel I could have enough time to do a walkabout.
I have fun labeling the walks I take where it is just me and my camera alone as a Walkabout. My walkabout today started around the hotel, went on Perfio Diaz to the zocola and then back up the aqueduct street to return to the hotel.
WALKABOUT #1
I once had a photography instructor say that the technical aspects of photography
mean nothing unless you are there to take the photography
Class with Michael deMeng began at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Here is the class description.
The Workshop – Fandango Fantastico: Puppet Creatures Inspired by Oaxacan Carnival
“I think it’s about time for a weird little fiesta! In this wall-hanging workshop of wildness, we’ll be channeling the beautifully bizarre energy of Oaxacan Carnival—those costumed characters you see dancing through the streets—and shrinking it down just enough to fit on your wall without scaring the neighbors too much. Each piece clocks in around 14–16 inches tall, with a flowing painted fabric body and a noggin that’s part clay, part found-object fever dream. These aren’t just decorations—they’re puppet-sized protectors, grumpy growling party guests, and maybe one or two trickster deities. You’ll start with some humble scraps, a piece of canvas, and a few gloriously weird bits from your stash. Then we’ll coax these creatures into being with clay, paint, a dash of trickery, and a whole lot of imagination. Just a little chaos, a lot of charm, and a creature that looks like it stumbled out of a dream and got lost in a mercado. Let the Fandango begin!”
The workshop space in the Holiday Inn
My workshop space between Mija and Denice
Our hosts--Mija and Jon
Our workshop professor--Michael de Meng
This puppet, purchased in Oaxaca, is a sample of what inspired our workshop
Michael's class sample #1
Michael's class sample #2
Michael's class sample #3
My piece begins
Today we worked on building the heads for our puppet creations.
The break for lunch was at noon. I used it for an unsuccessful run to three art stores, all of which were closed for siesta. However, I did get some good pictures.
WALKABOUT #2
Crossing El Llano park I ran into something very Mexican. These people were protesting something and had blocked a major downtown city street. In America, they would be tear gassed and dragged away in zip ties. In Mexico, the police politely direct both vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the protest.
When I got back to the workshop I got to work on my mask by using casting material to toughen up the plastic Batman mask I brought from home.
Some Aves clay and a drawer handle begins to bring personality to the piece. I worked until 5:00 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. the group walked to the CLOS Gallery for our opening dinner.
We got to meet Clos, another amazing Oaxacan artist.
Mija, Clos (Carlos Arango), Michael
His first floor exhibition was art created after he lived briefly as a homeless person. The work upstairs was to commemorate his son who died recently.
One clown to another
To remember his lost son, he made art out of son's possessions
Speaking of upstairs, look at the view this artist gallery and studio has of the downtown and the Santo Domingo.
For the rest of the evening, Danny B. and I joined Michael and a host of artists at the rooftop bar La Terraza de Barro. After much storytelling and laughter, we stumbled home at 10:00 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment