Debra Disman

Exhibitionista: 2020 LA Open

January 11, 2020 By Debra Disman

I am honored to be part of the 2020 LA OPEN Exhibition at Tag Gallery in Los Angeles, juried by Juri Koll.

2020 LA OPEN

December 17 – December 21, 2019
January 2 – January 17, 2020

TAG Gallery is proud to announce the 3rd annual LA Open Exhibition for 2020! This juried exhibition aims to serve as a gateway for a diverse range of artists in the greater Los Angeles area to display their artworks on Museum Row, home to four major Los Angeles museums.

TAG’s calendar year commences with this vibrant exhibition of works by local artists. The focus of this exhibition is to illustrate that artists are strong and impactful when they come together to facilitate dialogue amongst varied styles of works. To this end, the viewer and artist alike are encouraged to make unapparent connections between works in an effort to facilitate an intimate and unique experience for each viewer.

I am showing “Torrent and Tangle: Keep Your House in Order”, 2019, 10.5 x 25 x 18”, mixed media

Check out this fun and varied show soon if you can. It closes January 17, so hurry over to TAG!

Exhibitionista: The Artful Book…revisited

January 8, 2020 By Debra Disman

The Artful Book show at the Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, CA just closed.

What a great experience to be part of it.

Tour the exhibition!

It happened October 4, 2019 – January 5, 2020

I was honored to show three pieces, and be in the company of stellar book artists.

“Today, artists who work in the Book Arts create fine and design bindings, fine press and letterpress editions, calligraphy, broadsides, handmade paper, and artist books. Visitors to The Artful Book will see outstanding contemporary examples of the Book Arts created by members of the California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers. From finely crafted and superbly designed limited edition books to one-of-a-kind sculptural art objects, these artists let their imaginations soar and put their skills in the service of one of man’s best creations, the book….” —The Artful Book

The Artful Book will be remembered.

Drawing Spirit Drawing

December 28, 2019 By Debra Disman

Looking back on still relevant drawings….

Although these drawings/mixed media works were done over 20 years ago, I am still looking at them, and they relate to my current work as regards to texture, palette, and the themes of energy, transformation, new media/materials and mixed media,. They feel very related to the work I am doing now. I currently work in the form of the book, in forms inspired by the book, and in new sculptural media of my own devising. Although the work remains tethered to loose definitions of the book as structure, it is moving progressively into other sculptural and conceptual realms where labor, repetition and a passion for the haptic become powerful motivators and themes.

“Fertile World“, 1994, ink/colored pencil, 15 x 11”

“Insert With Care“, 1994, acrylic/collage/mixed media, 5 x 7”

“Pound With Energy“, 1994, ball point pen/collage/mixed media, 11.25 x 4.25 x 1.5”

Making Books Together: Creating Folded Fan Books at the Platt Library

December 23, 2019 By Debra Disman

A glorious time was had as families gathered at the Platt Branch Library to create folded fan books together!

The program was designed for children, and families turned out en mass!

Grandparents got into the act!

Working on unique projects, together.

One of the things I love in conducting these programs is the opportunity for parents to have the opportunity to work with their hands alongside their children.

It is amazing how often makers choose colors that they are wearing to put into their work. Was this little fellow influenced by his Superman tee?!

Contemplative siblings focus in on their projects.

All that glitters,

is good!

Working together, but always working. A parent’s job is never done.

This beautiful family with twin daughters hunkered down and created with great joy and gusto.

Encouragement….

Layers of color, texture, pattern and materials created ravishing results.

The “pièce de résistance“….a masterwork of creativity by this proud young maker. Using foam beads he built onto his cover, creating another level of dimensionality, fun, and…intrigue?

Of course!

Books and Cookies

December 20, 2019 By Debra Disman

I am honored to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Sunland-Tujunga Library, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, conducting a series of bookmaking workshops for the community.

In celebration of the holiday spirit, I taught participants to create the fun and useful “envelope book”, which can indeed be sent through the mail! The envelope book can be used as a book and/or a card, and is an engaging project for the whole family.

The wonderful Children’s librarian Kirsten Xavier laid out cookies, making the whole experience that much sweeter, and adding to the festive atmosphere.

Mother and son work side by side, creating their envelope covers, and adding their folded accordion pages.

Cookies, a butterfly hole puncher and golden swirls, what could be better?! A green marker?!

Families worked together and devoted parents got a chance to create in tandem with their children.

Now that’s the holiday spirit!

All that Glitters….

December 12, 2019 By Debra Disman

As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, I led a “gift bookmaking” program for the community.

As we found out, all that glitters may not be gold, but shiny stuff can be really fun to work with and inspire us to add a jewel-like quality to our handmade books.