Debra Disman

Artist

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Handmade Books

EXHIBITIONISTA: PULP: BOOK & PAPER ARTS

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I am thrilled to participate for the second time in:

PULP: Book & Paper Arts

Book Arts: Handmade artist’s books or book art objects, showing excellence in bookmaking or altered book techniques, including books made of any medium (not just paper), as well as the art & craft of letterpress printing, bookbinding, book art sculptures, etc. 

Paper Arts: including innovative or traditional explorations of paper sculpture, papermaking, etc.

The Sebastopol Center for the Arts is one of the most vibrant arts organizations in Northern, California. Since 1988 it has engaged and inspired the community through presentations of contemporary art, music, dance, film, and literary events. Through classes and workshops it strives to educate and deepen the interest in the arts for adults, teens and children. The Center is located in a 17,800 square foot building in downtown Sebastopol where it offers a large variety of arts programs and is a creative force in California. Sebastopol, located 60 miles north of San Francisco, is one of America’s premier destinations for food, wine, and the arts, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Juror: Donna Seager of Seager Gray Gallery:
A native of New Orleans, Donna Seager’s background is in Art History. She received her
education at the University of Texas. She began in the art business in 1978, working in galleries
in New Orleans and was the director of a gallery in Boston before moving to California in 1989.
She continued to work in galleries in the Bay Area until 2005 when she opened Donna Seager Gallery. In 2011, she partnered with Suzanne Gray to form Seager Gray Gallery and moved the
gallery to Mill Valley where they are a cornerstone of the Marin arts community. Seager has distinguished herself for her discerning eye and commitment to the arts in her area. She has given lectures on the art of the book at international fairs in Miami and San Francisco and curated an exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library entitled “Ten Years of Artists’ Books” and “This is Not a Book, Chapter 2” for the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. She has served on the board of the San Francisco Art Dealers Association and The San Francisco Center for the Book.

Welcome Springtime at the Canoga Branch Library!

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Join us to create a sewn book to celebrate springtime and new beginnings!

Learn the pamphlet stitch, and deck your book out with springtime flowers!

All materials provided.
This program is part of my Artist Residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library, and is supported in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Please click HERE for details!

Springtime Bookmaking at the Canoga Park Branch Library!

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Join us to create a sewn book to celebrate springtime and new beginnings!

Learn the pamphlet stitch, and deck your book out with springtime flowers!

All materials provided.
This program is part of my Artist Residency at the Canoga Park Branch Library, and is supported in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Please see HERE for details!

Be My Valentine at the Canoga Park Library

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February 14th, 2024, was a sweet day at the Canoga Park Branch Library!
A group of wonderful and creative participants joined us for “Valentine’s Day Bookmaking”.

Using the accordion fold and sized covers, they created colorful books to which they added stickers, collaged images, drawing and writing, and love!


This program was part of my artist  residency “We Write the Book” at the Canoga Park Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!


Hearts galore!


Librarian extraordinaire Marcia Melkonian helps our participants, along with their exemplary caregivers.


Creativity in action.


Gina, an accomplished artist and supporter of our program sets up her own creative space.


The caregivers get into the act.


Lending a helping hand.


The talented Hilary loves orange.


All of Hillary’s elements work together to create a cohesive whole.


It is fascinating how she used the orange-striped washi tape, and extended the pattern upward to create what looks like a fence. Everything os orange color-coordinated.


Then, she added the calendar image of a pinky orange sunset to the top, to complete the scene.


Completed book, with ribbon!

See the participants enjoying the workshop HERE!

In Reflection: “Three Sisters And Their Mother” and more

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I was thrilled to have a solo exhibition last winter at ReflectSpace Gallery, part of Glendale Arts and Culture, in the Glendale Central Library which opened Saturday January 28th and was on view through March 19,2023.
The show, a dream come true that I did not even know I  had, was curated by the wonderful Ara and Anahid Oshagan of The City of Glendale and founders of the gallery..

I was fortunate to have master photographer Gene Ogami document the show.

I share here two images featuring a work entitled, “Three Sisters And Their Mother”, which  engages a concept and presentation I am still exploring.

“Three Sisters and Their Mother” (2022),  made of canvas, acrylic paint, hemp cord, sunlight and gravity, is approximately 30” x 72”. Its dimensions are variable depending on how it is installed, the intervals of space between the components or sections, the way its ever-tangling cord/string wanders across each section, how high or low to the ceiling or the floor it is positioned, and how much in relief from the wall it is hung. As Eva Hesse once said about a work or works of hers… Can it be different every time…? (paraphrase). Naomi Spector writes beautifully about these ideas as regards to Hesse’s work.

Also pictured are: (below and clockwise from “Three Sisters And Their Mother”)
“I Can’t I Won’t I Will I Do”, (The titular work in the show), 2022,13 x 71.5”, repurposed table runner, acrylic paint, linen thread
“Finally”, (can hang on wall in slight relief), 2022, 48 x 19.5”, canvas, lace, hemp cord, sewing thread
“Excavation of the Interior”, 2021, 12″ x 28″ x 12.5″, wood, mulberry paper, canvas, muslin, watercolor paper, hemp cord, linen thread
Our human connections, gossamer though they may seem, form a tangled web that is always changing, and in some ways unfathomable, but there and always mysterious.

 

“Be Our Valentine” at the Canoga Park Library!

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Join Us To Create Your Own Special Valentine’s Day Gift or Card!

Add beautiful materials to personalize your Valentine for yourself, or that special someone!

All materials included.
Part of my residency “We Write the Book” at the Canoga Park Branch Library, supported by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs!