The Wizard of Odds

The Workshop

January 18 – January 23, 2016

 

I don’t know anyone…and I mean anyone who wasn’t somehow influenced by the Wizard of Oz as a child. Personally, I was petrified, yet strangely drawn to those flying monkeys. And then there is the Wicked Witch theme song: da-na da-na da-na naaaaa….(one of the most iconic seven notes in film history). What about that giant green glowing head of the Wizard with flames erupting…or those weird striped stockings of the Wicked Witch of the East shriveling up beneath the house?

Did I mention the Winkies? Those green poofy hatted guards chanting: “O-ee-yah, e-oh-ah!” (admittedly, as a kid I thought they were saying “Oreo, yum, yum”). And for those who are just into just out right weirdness….nothing…I mean nothing can top the Popeye looking Munchkin Lollypop Guild dudes (and in the name of the Lollypop Guild they wish to welcome you to Munchkinland). Mesmerizing and such rich fodder to inspire our creative juices. The Wizard of Oz is the perfect theme for a workshop in and a place as unique and otherworldly as New Orleans.

In this class you will pick a character from the books or the film(s) and using various found objects and doodads you will create a contemporary interpretation. This could be a freestanding sculpture, a shrine, or even an wearable piece…perhaps a ruby slipper. The sky’s the limit. Whatever you choose to create, I will assist you in the process of assemblage, sculpture and of course…the ever-essential painting process. Speaking of painting….I’m going to come up with a bunch of new Oz themed paint color washes….such as Slipper Envy Green, Rusty Tin Man, Cowardly Yellow, and Bubble Glinda Pink. Are you interested? Okay all you have to do is close your eyes, click your heals, and say: “There’s no place like a Michael deMeng workshop….there’s no place like a Michael deMeng workshop.” Just do that….oh…and register….and then you’ll be in New Orleans.

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Optional, add-on Workshop

Whatever your Oz affiliation, you just might need a banner to announce your comings and goings as you parade down the Yellow Brick Road through the French Quarter. Perhaps you’re a Winged Monkey, a Munchkin or a Winkie. Maybe you represent the Lollypop Guild or the Lullaby League. In this one day optional Parade Banners workshop we are going to create our very own Wizard of Odds themed parade banners.

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Workshop Gallery

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About the Instructor

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Instructor Supplies

Michael will be supplying ALL the paint and the Two Part Clay. A material fee of $25.00 will provide each student with golden paints and clay. The material fee will be collected on the first day of the workshop.

• Aves (Two Part Clay)
• Acrylic Paint
• Dremels, Drills and Tools
• Acrylic Latex Caulking

Student Supplies

1. A stage or a pedestal to house your character…this could be a box, or a frame, a hubcap or a hollowed out clock…just about anything really. It could be something that hangs on the wall or is free standing.
2. Old figurines, dolls, or doll parts- these will be the base of your Oz character
3. Doodads that will adorn your chosen character. (For instance if you are creating the Tin Man, you would probably want to bring some metal bits, a fake heart, funnel for a cap etc.)
4. Variety of other found objects that might be interesting symbolic additions to myths. Items like watch parts, gears, typewriter parts – just about anything, really. Look for things that are interesting shapes or designs, but also things that might have symbolic significance.
5. You may want some canvas or some slats of wood if you choose to create a banner or placard for your character.
6. Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
7. Wire a couple of different gauges
8. E6000 adhesive
9. Optional Things to bring if you want your own tools
   1. Heat gun
   2. Dremel with cut off wheel

• Downloadable Supply List