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February 6 -11th 2017 I attended The Beautiful Beasts ArtVenture in New Orleans put on by deMeng and Engen. It was not only a workshop but a total art immersion and experience. We were to bring items to create our own fantastical creature that would be part human and part animal. I chose to make a Sirin.
I started with a porcelain doll head and made hair out of two part Apoxie Clay.
A Sirin is a mythological creature of Russian legends, with the head and chest of a beautiful woman and the body of a bird. They were usually portrayed wearing a crown or numbus. Sirins sang beautiful songs. For mortals however the birds were dangerous. Men who heard them would forget everything on earth, follow them, and ultimately die.
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As I only had one wing and needed two, I cast made the other one out of two part Apoxie Clay.
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I couldn't find any bird feet, so made some out of two part Apoxie Clay and wire.
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The body is made from a wooden top to a bannister.
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Adding the legs and wings and feathers.
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The back.
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Some wooden tail feathers adds to it.
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Playing with different colors and embellishments.
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I think it's done.
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The critique on the last day. It's wonderful hearing Michael's input on each piece and getting to see everyone's projects.
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Parades and Costumes
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Music
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Optional Workshop- Beautiful Beasts Coat of Arms Banner Workshop with Andrea deMeng
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My Banner "Knowledge is Power"
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Dinner and tour of MovieSet: Reel Venue
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Time to walk around and admire NOLA
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New Friends
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Wonderful dinner at Brennan's
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Swamp AirBoat Tour
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The magical water
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The Insectarium and bug tastings, yes, I did eat some. gross.
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Photography stop at St. Roch Cemetery
Despite the 7 tornados that touched down while we were there, it was a wonderful week! Thank you Michael deMeng and Katherine Engen.