Debra Disman

Artist

Mixed media

NEW WORK in 2021: “Forest Through The Trees”

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I was happy to finally be able to have Elon Schoenholz Photography in to photograph works completed during 2021… fast away the old year passes…

Here I share “Forest through The Trees“, 15 x 42 x 12”, made of book board, canvas, hemp cord, ribbon, typewriter ribbon, acrylic paint, wood.
It is part of a monochrome series in black, through the colors of “black” are infinite, and change with light, material, juxtaposition, and how the viewer engages with the piece.

Comprised of two accordion-folded “spines”, the “book”, becomes a “box”, with a “door” that opens, expandable “walls”, and  painted canvas “pages” held up precariously with wooden dowels. The piece can be presented and contemplated in numerous ways, and begs a tactile connection, through all of us working in book, and perhaps sculptural forms in general grapple with how to do this.  How to have viewers engage with the work, participate in it, without having it worn away over time in the process…

We are seekers.
The Journey continues.

Happy New Year.

(exterior, closed)

(exterior, ajar)

(interior/exterior, open)

NEW WORK in 2021: Red Notebook (“Here’s To The Red, White and Blue”)

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I was happy to finally be able to have Elon Schoenholz Photography in to photographs works completed/created during 2021, which continues to race by.

Part of an ensemble, suite, or installation of works entitled, “Here’s To The Red, White and Blue”, Red Notebook is structured as a “traditional” codex, with covers that open and pages that turn.  Moderately, “red” (hence the “red” element of the “Red, White and Blue” theme-meme-trope?) it contains a great deal of black as well.
In the immortal words of  Mark Rothko, “There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend;  One day, the black will swallow the red.”

Made from a repurposed placemat, hemp cord, linen thread, canvas, and lace, it is 8.5″ high, 12.5″ when opened in full, and 6.5″ at greatest depth and opens left to right, from cover through pages to cover, bound together through a single signature.


The red and back play off each other in all their associations


Sewing, stitching, gluing, knotting, coiling, massing


Amassing, accumulation, the RED in


Up next.

California OPEN 2020

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I was thrilled to be a part of the 2020 California Open Exhibition at TAG Gallery in LA.

“I like the ‘openness’ of the California Open concept,” said juror Kate Mothes, “so in my selections I tried to maintain a diversity of ideas and themes, and to the best of ability with the information at hand, include artists of diverse backgrounds. With this in mind, I also considered the craftsmanship of each work, and included a range of media types. It was a pleasure to review all of the submissions to this year’s open call, and I thank TAG Gallery for inviting me to participate as juror this year!”

I was in good company, and documented a few of my favorite pieces…it takes all kinds…of art.
Enjoy.

Photograph

Sculpture

Mixed Media Relief

Documentary Photography

Altered Book

Collage

Like I said…it takes all kinds.
It takes, All Of Us.
Cheers.

Exhibitionista: “EXPRESSIONS 2020”

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Diving into the world of virtual exhibitions, online presentations, and digital shows….

I am honored to be included in:

“EXPRESSIONS 2020”

Presented by The Marin Society of Artists
Juror: Andrea Schwartz of Andrea Schwartz Gallery

I am showing “Torrent and Tangle: Keep Your House in Order” 2019, mixed media (book board, hemp cord, canvas, watercolor paper, lace, ribbon, acrylic paint)


Photography: Elon Schoenholz

“These are extraordinary and unprecedented times with the COVID-19 virus affecting our daily lives. The well being of our visitors, artists and community as well as continuing to showcase artists’ work is of utmost importance. To that end, Marin Society of Artists has decided to present our Expressions 2020 exhibition in a virtual gallery venue. The virtual gallery will be on view for six weeks, commencing May 14, 2020.” The show runs through June 27, 2020. Tour the show!

Drawing Spirit Drawing

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Looking back on still relevant drawings….

Although these drawings/mixed media works were done over 20 years ago, I am still looking at them, and they relate to my current work as regards to texture, palette, and the themes of energy, transformation, new media/materials and mixed media,. They feel very related to the work I am doing now. I currently work in the form of the book, in forms inspired by the book, and in new sculptural media of my own devising. Although the work remains tethered to loose definitions of the book as structure, it is moving progressively into other sculptural and conceptual realms where labor, repetition and a passion for the haptic become powerful motivators and themes.

“Fertile World“, 1994, ink/colored pencil, 15 x 11”

“Insert With Care“, 1994, acrylic/collage/mixed media, 5 x 7”

“Pound With Energy“, 1994, ball point pen/collage/mixed media, 11.25 x 4.25 x 1.5”

 

Exhibitionista: Fresh Art

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Fresh Art

November 7  – November 30 , 2019

I was excited to participate in the exhibition “FRESH ART” juried by Donna Seager of
Seager/Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, CA. Donna is known to show Artists’ Books, and is a supporter of the form.
A native of New Orleans, Donna Seager’s education was at the University of Texas where she received her degree in Art History and English. She began in the art business in 1978, working in galleries in New Orleans and was the director of the Marlborough Gallery in Boston before moving to California in 1989. In 2001, she partnered with Suzanne Gray to form Seager/Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, now a cornerstone of the Marin arts community. Donna Seager has distinguished herself for her discerning eye and commitment to the arts. She has served on the board of the San Francisco Art Dealers’ Association and the San Francisco Center for the Book and is currently a member of the Marin County Cultural Commission.  Seagergray.com.

Tour the Show!

“How do you define “Fresh Art”? Something new and different, new to one’s experience, not encountered before, or a new approach to your art. Artwork that is forward or bold, expressive, engaging, stimulating, creative, infused with imagination….”

I showed “Maximum Security”, a mixed media, sculptural Artists’ Book, pictured below.

And though I could not make it to the Opening, I appreciate dear Marin/Sonoma Bay Area friends who did…Laurelyn and Dianna, Thank you!