Please see VIDEO of the “KnoW Safe Place”
Candid Conversation with Kristine Schomaker: “Art, Community, and the Beautiful Chaos of Creative Life””
“A Candid Conversation with artist Debra Disman: Art, Community, and the Beautiful Chaos of Creative Life“
Conversation with Kristine Shomaker
Founder and Director of Shoebox Arts
It was wonderful to talk with Kristine, and I thank her for this opportunity to share!
“I’m excited to share this heartfelt conversation with the incredible Debra Disman, an artist whose generosity and support of the LA art community never ceases to amaze me. What started as our usual Instagram dialogues evolved into this deeper YouTube discussion about the realities of being working artists in Los Angeles.
In this conversation, we dive into topics that I know so many of us struggle with but rarely discuss openly: the overwhelming guilt that comes with LA’s abundance of art events, the paralysis of wanting to support everyone while managing our own creative needs, and the constant juggling act between community engagement and studio time.
Debra shares her thoughtful daily practice – from morning walks and I Ching readings to the “wonky” reality of studio life at 18th Street Arts Complex. We explore how authenticity means accepting our imperfections (yes, I’m talking about being a messy painter!), the geographic challenges of our sprawling city, and how some of our best ideas come when we least expect them.
This isn’t a polished conversation about artistic success – it’s an honest look at the beautiful messiness of creative life. We talk about anxiety, health challenges, the pressure to attend everything, and the importance of forgiving ourselves for being human. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by opportunities or guilty about not doing “enough,” this conversation is for you.
Whether you’re part of LA’s art scene or creating anywhere else, I hope you’ll find something that resonates. As Debra wisely notes, we all need practices that help us reset and come back to ourselves throughout the day.
Thank you, Debra, for always being such a supportive voice in our community and for being so open about the real challenges we face as artists. Your wisdom and authenticity shine through every word.
Watch the full conversation below, and let me know in the comments what resonated most with you.”
—Kristine Shomaker, Founder and Director of Shoebox Arts
“A Candid Conversation with artist Debra Disman: Art, Community, and the Beautiful Chaos of Creative Life“
Raw Sound: The Podcast with Erika Sukstorf
In Conversation with the inimitable Erika Sukstorf….
We listen, we talk, we listen again…
Raw Conversation Podcast Part 1:
Raw Conversation Podcast Part 2
Flag Books for Flag Day at the Manhattan Beach Library!
It was a great pleasure to lead a Flag Bookmaking program on Flag Day at the Manhattan Beach Library!
Due to a fabulous donation of designer wallpaper samples,
I was able to offer a mix of exotic materials to the participants to work with!
And they employed them…
in all kinds of different ways, making use of their colors, textures, patterns and imagery
to enhance and enrich their books!
Different makers used the same pattern…
in different ways!
A wide variety of pre-cut “flag pages” were available and used creatively.
Maker Stacy Wong shared her completed Flag Book, which she further developed after the program!
A truly colorfully creative time was had by ALL!
Craft Contemporary 2025 GALA
Some moments of the 2025 Craft Contemporary GALA!
For Your Viewing Pleasure!
Before, in the courtyard
The auction room second floor gallery, our piece, “drift” (myself and Luciana Abait)
Carrie’s piece
Ahree’ piece
Rosie
Alma
David
Frida’s husband Mick (in my Monm’s vest!) (Luis behind)
Andres
Auction
Alba
Liberty and Jay Worth, Victoria May in mask
“We Write The Book” CULMINATION EVENT at the Northridge Library!
It was both moving and thrilling to complete my 2024-25 Artist Residency at the beautiful Northridge Branch Library .
This Neighborhood Engagment Artist Residency has been supported by the wonderful City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
I have been honored to serve as artist-in-residence at the Northridge Branch Library, conducting bookmaking workshops and events for the local community and library patronage from February through May 31, 2025, on selected Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00PM, and Saturdays 11:00am – 12:30PM
Our workshops have been completely free to community with all materials and refreshments included, supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Attended by participants of all ages including families, I was thrilled to see the explosively colorful and exciting projects our participants created, and their joy in working in community. many of our participants have attended multiple workshops, and some of them have attended all of the bookmaking programs!
During our CULMINATION, participants shared and read from their handmade books, enjoyed refreshments, created a mini-travel journal and learned how do the “Turkish Map Fold” which they could then add to their books!
Turkish Map Fold incorporated into mini-travel journal!
Families enjoy bookmaking together, a blend of generations!
Participants help other participants.
Renata shares one of her amazing books!
A young boy’s dream, and I think we can see what it is!
Such a pleasure to see Ardem Tajerian again, with who I worked on my first Neighborhood Engagment Artist Residency supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs back in 2017!
