The Alchemist’s Book:
Rust, Reliquaries and Illuminated Manuscripts in a Latin Land

$1600 for 5 days of classes and 6 nights
lodging (based on double occupancy).

What could possibly be more inspiring than to create art in a Mexican Villa?
Not much, I tell you. So off to Puerto Vallarta we go?

Using a variety of found objects we will transform hardback books into found object shrines and/or reliquaries. These will be special three dimensional books that literally jump off the page.

These can be used as art books to house your secrets or as art to proudly display skills as an assemblage alchemist. The cool part is that we will find most or found object goodies in Mexico…Mexican rust is the best.

Since we are dealing with books we might as well play with paper. I love those old maps and manuscripts from days gone by. You will be incorporating techniques to age, color and antique paper, which can be included in the Alchemists book or displayed as works of art on their own.

Supply list - some of this stuff may be easier to get in Mexico
than to bring over… check with Sam.

1. Old books…mostly the covers is what we are looking for but don’t throw out the pages we can use those too.
2. Photographs, tintypes (could be from the books you bring to class).
3. Variety of found objects that correspond with the size of the frame. These will be used in the book but also for corresponding alchemical instruments. Some of this stuff you could bring but much of it we can find in location. Could literally be anything.
4. Bits of ephemera, text, and other paper images.
5. Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size).
6. Wire a variety of different gauges.
7. Wood screws…small but a couple different sizes.
8. Basic Tools…pliers, scissors.
9. Paint (acrylic…preferably Golden brand…either fluid or heavy body will work).
1. Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold.
2. Black (Mars or Carbon).
3. Titanium White.
4. Pthalo Green (blue shade).
5. Dioxazine Purple.
6. Van Dyke Brown.
7. Paynes Gray.
8. Quinacridone Crimson.
10. Sand paper or sanding sponge.
11. Duct tape and masking tape.
12. Adhesives. We’ll should be able to find some glues locally the as well.
1. Dap Kwik Seal for kitchen and bath - White. Should say paintable or water base acrylic or latex.
2. Clear Liquid Nails or E6000.
13. Optional Things:
1. Mica.
2. Transparencies with images on them.
3. Mesh or bits of fabric, string etc.
14. Optional Paints:
1. Interference Colors (blue, violet or any others).
2. Iridescent colors (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper, etc).
3. Micaceous Iron Oxide.
15. Optional Tools:
1. Heat gun.
2. Dremel with cut-off wheel.

Visit Web Site:
www.michaeldemeng.com

For questions about lodging
contact Sam @