2026 03 Stray Dogs Pick The Moon’s Bone Clean

Here is the history of the project I made in Oaxaca, Mexico, with Michael deMeng in the workshop Fandango Fantastico: Puppet Creatures Inspired by Oaxacan Carnival. Here is Michael's course description: “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!”

I bought this art from the state of Guerrero. Art like this, with a wood carved head and a linen body, is what inspired Michael to create this project for this workshop

Here are the class samples created by Michael deMeng

From home I brought a Bat Man plastic mask, a drawer pull and a few other odds and ends to add to my canvas body. Let's just say things changed when I got to Oaxaca. 

For a previous deMeng workshop Michael had taught us how to paint a brick road. I also saw an exhibition in the Quad Cities of an artist who did Salvador Dali like paintings with stone as his main background. Both inspired me to make my creature a stone guy. 

I was very fortunate that a generous fellow workshop attendee brought stuff to share including fabric, beads and findings. All of her stuff got incorporated into my work. 

It may surprise you to know the exposure was a complete accident.

That's better

Michael's workshops always end with a class critique,

the highlight of the workshop for me

Thus we have Stray Dogs Pick The Moon’s Bone Clean. The title comes from the poem Days And Occasions by Octavio Paz. The piece is 23"H X 10"W X 2"D. It consists of a Batman Mask, Drawer Handle, Muslin, Mirrors, Metal Rings, Fabric, Cloth Ring, Sari Ribbon, Waxed Linen Thread, Casting Plaster, Aves Clay, Beads, and Paint.