Debra Disman

Artist

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Visioning the New Year with the Panorama Branch Library

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In December, 2021, we completed our  2021-22 Artist Residency in bookmaking  at the the Panorama City Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

I say “we” rather than “I”, as this was a team effort with the Library Staff, and of course, the DCA, always supportive!

During our residency “CULMINATION EVENT” participants created “Vision Journals” to welcome the New Year, and help them set intentions and goals for 2022.

Our online event was well-attended, fun and inspiring.
A wonderful way to complete the Residency, the year, and gather our strength, resiliency, hope, imagination and creativity to move into 2022!

MOON BOOK: Bookmaking for the Winter Solstice!

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Moon, Luna, Lunar
It was an honor to lead a special bookmaking workshop through my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs artist residency at the West Valley Regional Branch Library to welcome and celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21st, 2021!
We focused on the MOON.

Our participants of assorted ages, cultural backgrounds and experience levels created “Moon Books”, exploring the meaning, metaphor and movement (or phases) of the Moon, inspired by this rich theme, their materials, and the fun and  comfort of creating in community!

The results were inspiring too, investigating, celebrating and exploring the moon in (her) many facets through science/astronomy, story and the elements and materials of visual art: line, shape, color; collaged together into (folded and glued) book form.

 

An inspiring time had by all, including the participating Library staff and myself, teaching and supporting this program! We are always inspired by our participating makers, learners and sharers!

December Brings FREE ONLINE Bookmaking Workshops!!!

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Celebrate the holidays and welcome the New Year by making your own handmade books!

Please see the fliers below, each holds sign-up information, or all the phone number listed!

You  can also email me, Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence Debra Disman, at debra@artifactorystudio.com,  for further information!

We hope to “see” you there!

 

Treasured Memories and The Art of the Book

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Through my Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs artist residencies at the Panorama City and West Valley Regional Branch Libraries, participants have created handmade books to hold treasured memories, including recipes, photos and more.

Especially during these time, to create a repository such as this, can become a vision for the future, as well as a shrine to the past, and preservation of cultural, family and community memories, rituals, experiences and guides.

I am honored to do this work!

 

 

 

Seasons Greetings, Peace on Earth and in Our Hearts, and May You Enjoy Treasured Memories and Currents Events Now and Ever.

Celebrating Día de Muertos with Papel Picado!

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In celebration of  Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), I led a bookmaking workshop that featured Papel Picado (The art and craft of decorative cut paper) as part of my artist residency in bookmaking  at the the Panorama City Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Participants learned the Accordion Fold  technique, and used it to create 11″ high  Accordion Fold Books.

They then created simple Papel Picado  designs, exploring paper cutting techniques using tissue paper sheets, and added these  colorful (or black-) works to our books in various ways.

All of the techniques and materials demonstrated online, through Zoom.

The participants were adventurous, good-humored, and supportive of each other as they moved through the process, and created the  beautiful works pictured below.

BRAVO!

This is truly teaching artistry, and learning,  for the 21st Century!

 


Using the simplest techniques, participants used color and cutting to create wondrous designs, which they layered onto to and into their Accordion Fold Books.


Paper cutting using the thin sheets of tissue paper can be demanding under the best of circumstances,. I marveled at what our participants were able to accomplish guided by an online workshop!


Here, black tissue paper is employed to magical and mysterious effect.


Participants also used origami paper to create their Papel Picado designs.


Participants joined the workshop from Arizona, Montreal, and across Los Angeles County, some with grandchildren, demonstrating the potential of the internet and its global reach.


Photographing through a computer screen can be challenging, but the brilliance of these colors and repeated cut-out designs cannot be denied!

Tunneling Through: Tunnel Bookmaking with the Panorama City Branch Library!

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Through my Artist Residency with the Los Angles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence   I had the opportunity to offer an online program/workshop via the Panorama Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library in which participants learned how to make “Tunnel Books“, and thus how to create their own three-dimensional stories!

Participants learned the accordion fold technique, and how to attach a background/backdrop sheet, and connective strips to create their books, reminiscent of a diorama, or stage. They then went to down developing their stories or scenes, learning a bit of pop-up magic in the process.

 

One motivated participant motivated by opera remade her book after the program, and emailed these images to share with us!

We look forward to more inspiring, educational, creative and FUN online bookmaking programs presented through the Panorama City Branch Library!

All workshops, programs, classes and events will be listed HERE!

Stay tuned, and join us!