Debra Disman

Artist

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Flag Books

Hanging in Hawthorne

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I was honored to conduct a bookmaking program for children and families at the
 Hawthorne Library

We made flag books.
Numerous families joined us, and a grand time was had by all…


What will this maker say, with their work, letters, design?


Mothers, grandmothers, friends, and daughters.


Lovely lady line-up!


Sons and Brothers


Families and friends worked together.


Proud maker.


Mother and Daughter.

The devotion and commitment of these families of makers, in their family, friendships and making was just stunning.

Making Books, Making Community at the Brentwood Art Center!

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Teaching community workshop in June on Flag Books and Found Text at the Brentwood Art Center was pure joy!


“Fun with Flag (pages)” was had by all.


Adults and children alike created marvelous flag book creations and had a blast in the process!


Participants learned to fold an accordion spine, add covers, and attach the flag pages on alternating sides of the spine to create a pattern that changed as the book was opened.


After the flag book was “built” (books and buildings have a lot in common…but that is a subject for another post…)


the real (well, that depends on your definition) fun began…filling, embellishing and developing the book!


Participants used images and text from magazines,


expressing their interests, thoughts, and ideas…


choosing what they wanted to express


with the materials at hand.


Some chose to draw by hand.


Some laid forth their content using repeated elements, like a graphic designer.


Others asked questions.


And some put it all together thematically.

All in all, a most remarkable experience.
Bravo!

 

enRICHment IV

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enRICHment IV

Kindergartners have a blast making their own books in  Santa Monica’s CREST Enrichment program which provides a variety of after school classes in Santa Monica Public Schools.


Which is more adorable, the book, or the dimple?!


What will happen with “The Three Kittens”?


The smile is the winner, and this little maker is a wonderful writer and visual artist too!


Peruse, cut, paste…


Draw draw draw…one of our most immediate visual art forms…make your Mark!


Industrious and serious writers.


What shall I choose?


Combining the visual and the written…


Kindergartners learning to write, and spell. Impressive.


They create the pages, they fill the pages.


Working with accordion fold / concertina books.


Influencing each others work?!


“Folded Fan Book”: accordion fold spine, with covers and pages attached.


Layering texture, shape and color.


Robert helps us out. Thank you, Robert of the CREST Enrichment program Staff!


An elaborate fairy tale…involving a path, a house, and fairies.


Working side by side, two creative solitudes in community.


This maker has a fascination and love of Mythology…and the Greek gods.


Checking out each others’ work. And each other.


The magic of Washi Tape!


One of our student’s Dads, a fun-loving dentist, joined us for this class…and made his own book


Students thrive in a supportive environment filled with materials, laughter, learning, and patient adults.

We were so fortunate during this class to have both CREST Enrichment program Staff Diana and Michelle be with us, as well as our dentist Dad, and a CREST  staff trainee. The students really felt the support!

To. Be. Continued. It is the Story that never ends…Creative Expression.
Let’s keep starting the process young!

 

LACMA LOVE: We Make Books

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LACMA LOVE: We Make Books

At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), families made books together.

This past March and April, we gathered together and learned how to create the Accordion or Concertina Fold, Folded Fan and  Tunnel Book  structures.

And we had FUN!


Learning to fold the accordion book. There is a step by step process!


Then comes the reward…embellishment!


This young maker know exactly what she wants.


Using decorative papers galore, textures, colors, patterns and shapes are explored and employed.


Pink and blue…must be Spring.


A large group convened to create the “folded fan” book, a version of the flag book, with full-sized pages attached to just one side of the accordion-folded book spine.


Parents had the opportunity to create alongside their children, and also do their own thing.


Makers used stickers, origami papers, washi tapes, magazines and more to dive into the meaning and content of their books.


Bookmaking can engage all kinds of skills, such as writing (and the requisite spelling and grammar),


intricate cutting,


and gluing.


Making books can be the ultimate mixed media experience. Fabric, string, feathers, and just about anything can get into the act, serving at the behest of the maker, and adding layers of meaning.

 

 

 

“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.

Flag Books & Found Writing with Debra Disman

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Join us for public workshops in bookmaking and more at the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica!

These workshops are being offered as part of my Studio Residency at the Art Lab, January 13-April 14, 2018. I will be creating and teaching in the beautiful Mid-century building that houses the Art Lab, overlooking Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific.

Learn the fun and innovative flag book structure.
Fold an accordion spine, add book covers, and attach your flag pages to a kinetic book whose parts move as you page through.
You can write in or use preexisting print media to add text to your flags. As they move and flip, poetic connections in your found writing appear!