Debra Disman

Artist

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COMMUNITY BOOKMAKING

Freedom of Expression and More…

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It has been exciting to lead programs at the Granada Hills Branch Library of the LAPL, as part of  my Artist Residency there:  “We Write the Book“, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and freedom in all its forms, participants created “single signature” sewn  and glued books, and then used their Freedom of Expression to develop and embellish the covers. A “signature” is a gathering of folded sheets that create pages for a book. Single signature bookbinding refers to a group of sheets (usually paper)  folded in the middle and bound together through sewing through their folds.

Although our program was originally planned for teens and “tweens”, several families attended including a number of dads with children. We had a wonderful time!


Sister and brother enjoy the delight of adding to their books after working step by step sewing and gluing to create them.


The glory of patterns. This young participant is age 3!


She attended with her mother.


In the background, mom and dad look on, taking a well-deserved break and enjoying the fun from the sidelines as their children worked and played.


Father offers support and presence to his son.


Our fearless leader, Branch Manager Pam, enjoys some creative “play” time, adding washi (decorative paper) tape to her book.

There is something very satisfying about hand-sewing a book together. It feels real…permanent. The work of our hands on a whole other level.
Hopefully, these books will continue to be developed at home, and most importantly, used!

 

Bell Library

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A simple post sharing about a simply lovely program I was privileged to lead at the Bell Library  one of the many fine Los Angeles County Libraries serving their patrons with devotion, commitment and love!

Parents, children and Library Staff participated. The wonderful Library provides programs every week, so if you are in their vicinity, please check them out and take advantage!

 


We had a beautiful creative group. Many participants knew each other, and had fun chatting during the program.


Mother and daughter duo, doing.


The younger brother in a family of four sibs, this young artist reveled in all of the materials, and the opportunity to create.


A beautiful soul creates a beautiful book, heartfelt.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: A Bookish Celebration

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In our recent program at the Granada Hills Branch Library of the LAPL,  23 participants created “folded fan” books, comprised of an accordion spine, front and back covers, and fan pages.  In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, they added their own “Picado Papel“, decoratively cut and punched papers, which added a special touch to their creations.

Families turned out, and parents worked closely with children to achieve their artistic visions! Especially heartwarming was the number of Dads who devoted themselves to supporting their sons and daughters through the process, while creating beautiful works themselves. And let’s not forget the Moms! It is wonderful to see adults give themselves over to the creative process. Parents, and all people, so need this time.

This workshop was part of my artist residency project: “We Write the Book“, supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles.  Gratitudes!

 


Children’s Librarian extraordinaire, Alice Schock, engages with a young patron, artist and participant.


Like Mother, like Daughter…


The work of our hands…and creative ways of using shaped hole punchers to create Picado Papel!


Sisters and friends work together.


This young teen, age 13, took off with a Halloween theme.


Through careful work, discerning choices, and elegant handicraft, she designed a book that we hope she will keep forever!


This young maker transformed images of a noted Los Angeles mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and used the beautiful colors as a surface to create a repeated design with a butterfly-shaped hole puncher.


Piper and her Dad attended an earlier workshop, and were back again creating happily together.


Father and daughter work closely on her book. her Mom said that though she herself loves scrapbooking, she could never get Dad to do it. Now, maybe he might, after seeing how much fun cutting, pasting and arranging are!


Here is Mom at work on her own masterpiece, along with older daughter.


Sebastian and his Dad work side by side. spending precious time together.


Yellow blossoms drift across a luminous pink ground,  floating in a world of warm colors. Washi tape is used to good effect as a framing device on the covers.

 


Benny and Mom have fun. Who says one has to sit on chairs?


These two friends had a blast, and worked with very different color schemes in their projects.


This is Greer’s second workshop. She loves to work with her hands, and even contributed some extra  Washi tape  to the cause!


Our scrapbooking  Mom works on a mini-masterpiece. What patience it takes to punch out all those butterflies, then arrange and glue them to the cover!

But how worth is it was…here is her magnum opus…a treat for the eyes, heart and soul.

Thank You All.

 

Jam out on the Big Beach Book with Debra Disman

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Jam out on the Big Beach Book with Debra Disman

Join bookmaker Debra Disman and embellish the ‘Big Beach Book,’ a people-sized book structure she developed with the community during the course of her recent Residency. Use paint pens, maps, repurposed book pages, collage materials and more, and add your special signature to this community driven project, inspired by the Camera, Palisades Park, the Santa Monica Beach and mountains, and of course, the blue Pacific! All are welcome.

“We Right The Book” VI

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“We Right The Book” VI

I was honored to serve as Artist in Residence at Verdugo Hill High School in Tujunga,  CA (Los Angeles) for a group of 41 Senior English class Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) students.

Our project ,  “We Right the Book” was supported by an Artist in Residence grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.  I worked with the students on a series of bookmaking projects during weekly workshops held right in the classroom from September – December, 2017.

The students’ completed book works were exhibited at the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library on December 13, 2017.
Accordion fold books, flag books, tunnel books, scrolls, and side bound books…the results were stunning.
Below is a digital tour through the show.

Each student’s works were displayed together, except the scrolls, which were hung on the walls.

Students created extraordinary Tunnel Books with whimsical, innovative and imaginative use of materials.

They made Flag Books…with “Found” (collected from existing print media) Writing.

and Accordion Fold Books…

with elaborate pop-ups.

The students completed their final projects for the class in their side bound books…the theme: IDENTITY…Who they are…Where they want to go…How they see themselves.

A Junior VAPA English student peruses the side bound books. She looked at each and every one.

I would love to work with her next year!

Fingers Crossed for next year’s Residency!
Thank you, LA DCA.