Debra Disman

Artist

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AIR

Wide Open Bookmaking

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I have been 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.

It was great fun to lead a bookmaking workshop in early February for a group that meets at the Library called, “Wide Open Reading”. What a wonderful-sounding activity!

Participants came together to create single signature sewn books, with pockets created by an “inner cover” or casing, and glued on covers. A

A creative time was had by all!

Participants learned about signatures (a gathering of folded pages that comprise the text block of a traditional western style codex book structure),

and sewed signatures that had been prepared for them into an inner cover, with folded pockets.

They then had a blast using all kinds of materials to develop, embellish and adorn their inside and outside covers, and even a few pages!

Camaraderie and interaction among the group is a big part of the fun.

And, of course, pride in the final (or not so final) “product”.

Wide Open Reading deserves wide open bookmaking, and the makers certainly achieved this.

Bravo!

Accordions, Books and Stories at the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library

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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.

To kick off the new year and decade, I taught an accordion fold book with pockets workshop, and engaged families and individuals in creating their own books to hold memories, hopes, dreams, wishes and other treasures.


Participants folded prepared pastel paper into accordion pages and pockets.


and added covers, then developed content, embellished and decorated!


One young maker created a highly developed work telling the story of Little Red Riding Hood, in her own way.


Complete with text and illustrations.


Don’t forget the jewels!

Treasures to hold treasures to last a lifetime….

Happy 2020!

Seeing 2020: Making a Calendar at the Granada Hills Library Part II

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As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs,  we welcomed a new year and new decade with a calendar-making program!
Using an Asian-style side stab binding stitch, participants sewed their calendar pages between a front cover made of watercolor paper to allow it to bend, and thus open, and  a back cover made of board, to keep the calendar pages from bending.
Once they had completed the labor of putting the pieces together, the proud makers proceeded to embellish their creations with zeal!

Teen Council members served as assistants, and participants! We were so lucky to have them.

In a digitized world, working with our hands becomes even more precious.
Mom looks on….
.
Mom participates!
Grandma gets into the act!
A family of sisters.
A family of makers.
 
Caring and devoted Children’s Librarian Stephanie encourages a happy family to proudly share their calendars with the camera.
2020 is off to a good start.
Happy New Decade!

Seeing 2020: Making a Calendar at the Granada Hills Library Part I

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As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs,  we welcomed a new year and new decade with a calendar-making program!

Participants sewed together their calendar pages between front and back cover, and proceeded to embellish their creations with zeal!


Some ambitious participants covered their covers in decorative papers before binding!


inside and


outside cover designs.


We were blessed with a great group of teens that both assisted and participated in the making process.


Mother and Daughter work together creating their calendars step by step.


When the calendars were bound, participants were encouraged to add  content to the reverse of each page and add highlight each month’s special dates.


Nothing could surpass the glorious adornment of the front covers (made of watercolor paper), a celebration of materials in a riot of color, pattern and texture.


Some of our wonderful and industrious teen helpers from the Library Teen Council took it upon themselves to sort through all the binding cords and arrange them by color. WOW. Not even I have ever had the patience to do that! Thank you!


The caring and devoted Children’s librarian Stephanie encourages a happy family to share their calendars with the camera and be proud!
So were we all.
Happy 2020!

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

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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

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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!