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.
As I only had one wing and needed two, I cast made the other one out of two part Apoxie Clay.
I couldn't find any bird feet, so made some out of two part Apoxie Clay and wire.
The body is made from a wooden top to a bannister.
Adding the legs and wings and feathers.
The back.
Some wooden tail feathers adds to it.
Playing with different colors and embellishments.
I think it's done.
The critique on the last day. It's wonderful hearing Michael's input on each piece and getting to see everyone's projects.
Parades and Costumes
Music
Optional Workshop- Beautiful Beasts Coat of Arms Banner Workshop with Andrea deMeng
My Banner "Knowledge is Power"
Dinner and tour of MovieSet: Reel Venue
Time to walk around and admire NOLA
New Friends
Wonderful dinner at Brennan's
Swamp AirBoat Tour
The magical water
The Insectarium and bug tastings, yes, I did eat some. gross.
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.