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.
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| 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. |
