Gene Ogami photographs
Handmade Books
Flag Bookmaking at ArtShare LA!
Join us and learn to create the fun and fabulous “flag book” with artist Debra Disman while being inspired by the “Paper Route” exhibition at ArtShare LA. Learn the accordion fold, add book covers and alternating flag pages, and play with “found writing” to create a kinetic book that can be opened and used in multiple ways.
Please sign up with Eventbrite!
Debra Disman is a Los Angeles-based artist known for her work inspired by the book, both as a solo practitioner and in the public sphere of community engagement. As a maker and teaching artist she creates work and projects which push the body and boundaries of the book into new media and materials, inviting altered ways of viewing the world and how we inhabit it.
Halloween Tunnel Bookmaking at the Canoga Park Branch Library
Book arts are alive and well at the Canoga Park Branch Library!
I am thrilled to continue my artist residency there, working with the community, teaching all manner of how-to bookmaking workshops, or “programs” in library parlance!
The series, entitled “We Write the Book”, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included!
Participants from children to teens to families to seniors learned how to create the three-dimensional Tunnel Book structure, creating their own Halloween scenes and more, combining theater, books, stories and celebration into their movable dramas!
Getting Organized with Bookmaking at the Canoga Park Branch Library!
We held our second “We Write the Book” artist residency program at the Canoga Park Branch Library on August 19, 2023.
The series, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included
In the spirit of getting organized for the new academic year, I taught participants ranging from small children to seniors how to create an accordion-fold book with pockets, add covers, then sew in “signatures” (gatherings of folded pages), to make their books super organizing tools, with places to store notes, make notes, and take notes!
The series, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer 11 hands-on bookmaking workshops and a culmination event to the community free of charge, with all materials included!
Participants from children to teens to families to seniors learned how to create the accordion fold book structure and add pockets, then develop their books with a variety of decorative and print materials to make them their own. A good time was had by all, as those attending learned new skills, socialized and inspired each other with their book creations!
Even the Librarians got into the act!
Children’s Librarian Luz and teen volunteer Scott supported participants while creating their own books!
Scott cuts lengths of beautiful striped and glittering paper cord for participants to use in sewing their signatures into the folds of their accordion structures.
Library volunteer Carmen and participant Laura move through the process.
Stellar participant Gina helps fellow student.
We were joined by an energetic family of five, helmed by this intrepid Mom!
Playing with color, textures, design and form are the nuts and bolts of the process. Participants made creative decisions and learned about themselves in the process, while gaining skills in folding, cutting, sewing and gluing.
We hope to see everhone back next month, at 12:00 noon on Saturday September 23rd!
Making Flag Books at the Brand!
I was thrilled to lead a fun and fabulous flag book workshop at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale!
Supported by The Associates of Brand, the workshop was held in conjunction with Brand 51: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, now on view in the Brand Library and Art Center galleries.
I am honored to be showing in this exhibition, and it provided an excellent context the workshop, in which participants learned how to make the versatile accordion folded spine and combine image and text in a way that allowed them to become author, artist, designer and writer in one fell swoop!
We dedicated the workshop to the creative efforts of all those facing challenges caused by the fires that raged on Maui.
A meaningful time was had by all.
Assembling the components, Covers, flag pages, and accordion spine (to be folded).
Using a wooden tool designed for ceramics to assist in folding.
Cutting up treasures to create more treasures!
Adding personal writing.
Writing in a personally created language and alphabet!
Adding maps.
Using origami paper, and origami methods!
Here’s to the black, white and brown!
Creatively employing the exhibition postcard as book covers.
A beautiful marriage of image, text, design, art and craft!
The message of this piece says it all….
May it be so.
Creating the Fun and Fabulous Flag Book at the Brand!!!
I am thrilled to lead a fun and fabulous flag book workshop at the Brand Library and Art Center!!!
The Associates of Brand invite you to join us in a special event workshop to learn how to create a fun and fabulous Flag Book! You will combine art, craft, bookmaking and creative writing in a paper-based project inspired by the Brand 51: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, now on view in the Gallery at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale!
Learn how to make the versatile accordion fold and combine image and text in a way that allows you to become author, artist, designer and writer in one fell swoop!
Workshop leader and Brand 51 artist Debra Disman is known for her work inspired by the book. As both maker and teaching artist, she invites you to explore the book as art by mixing media and materials to express yourself and invite new ways of viewing the world and how we inhabit it.
When: Saturday, August 12, 2023
11 am-12:30 pm
Where: Brand Library & Art Center
1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale
Who: Free and open to people of all ages
We ask that children be 6 years old and above and accompanied by an adult
How: Limited to the 25 participants
RSVP to Debra Thompson, President of the Associates by August 10