Debra Disman

Artist

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Scrolls

In Resonant Residence (6)

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In Resonant Residence (6)

I formally began Studio Residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab

in Santa Monica Wednesday January 10th.  I share the sunlit space, located within the beautiful Mid-century building overlooking Palisades Park, Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific with textile artist and fellow Studio Artist-in-Residence Huong Nguyen.
“About the Art Lab and Camera Obscura

1450 Exterior
Vintage Camera Obscura
 
 
 
 
Step inside the Camera Obscura Art Lab and you’ll find a welcoming space with fantastic views of Santa Monica Bay and the Pier. The Camera is located in a midcentury time capsule in Palisades Park between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd on what was once the site of the Pacific Electric Railway’s North Beach Station. Designed by noted architect Weldon J. Fulton (who’s work can be found around town including the classic Camera Obscura sign and font, the Montana and Fairview branch libraries, and the former Zucky’s building on Wilshire Blvd), the building’s exterior features walls clad in chunky Palos Verdes stone, glass walls, sloping roofs, and projecting canopies and rafter beams. It was donated to the City of Santa Monica by Marcellus Joslyn in 1955.”

The huge studio windows look out on palms, walkways and a huge assortment of passers by, strollers, park wanderers and beach combers. The Studio is a magical place to work.

Fourth Workshop, February 3, 2018:
Making the Fireworks Book, A whimsical pop-up book project, designed by UK Book Artist, Paul Johnson, who derived it from an Eastern European paper engineer, who was inspired by…you get the picture. We are links in the chain. A long chain, potentially, that folds up and then “explodes’ open…like fireworks…

Fireworks Book Workshop!

Folding

Adding pop-ups to the pop-up folds…

Cutting…

and pasting…

Adding the “wings” (pop-ups folding out, and in…

Color and pattern…

“s-t-o-p???”…No- keep going!

Putting it all together.

 

In Resonant Residence (5)

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I formally began Studio Residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab


in Santa Monica Wednesday January 10th.  I share the sunlit space, located within the beautiful Mid-century building overlooking Palisades Park, Santa Monica Beach and the blue Pacific with textile artist and fellow Studio Artist-in-Residence Huong Nguyen.

“About the Art Lab and Camera Obscura
1450 Exterior
Vintage Camera Obscura
 
 
 
 
Step inside the Camera Obscura Art Lab and you’ll find a welcoming space with fantastic views of Santa Monica Bay and the Pier. The Camera is located in a midcentury time capsule in Palisades Park between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd on what was once the site of the Pacific Electric Railway’s North Beach Station. Designed by noted architect Weldon J. Fulton (who’s work can be found around town including the classic Camera Obscura sign and font, the Montana and Fairview branch libraries, and the former Zucky’s building on Wilshire Blvd), the building’s exterior features walls clad in chunky Palos Verdes stone, glass walls, sloping roofs, and projecting canopies and rafter beams. It was donated to the City of Santa Monica by Marcellus Joslyn in 1955.”

The huge studio windows look out on palms, walkways and a huge assortment of passers by, strollers, park wanderers and beach combers. The Studio is a magical place to work.

Third Workshop, January 27, 2018:
Scrolls and Paper Marbling

The Marbling Reveal…Creating luminous color.


Creating the scroll form, and adding marbled and Shibori papers.


The pièce de résistance…elegant in its simplicity!

Scrolls & Paper Marbling with Debra Disman

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Scrolls & Paper Marbling with Debra Disman

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.

Design a book that can be rolled up! Create gorgeous marbled papers and while they dry, assemble a scroll substrate. Write a proclamation, draw/paint something wonderful, or leave blank for later. Just add a hanger for wall display. Bring an apron and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a stray splash on.

“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.

LACMA Workshops at NoHo Plaza

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LACMA Workshops at NoHo Plaza

August 19th @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Free

Summer Nights at NoHo Plaza (People St.)

Saturdays, August 5, 12, 19, 26 | 6–9 pm

During the month of August, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will be in the NoHo Arts District on Saturday nights from 6–9 pm! Stop by NoHo Plaza for art projects connected with LACMA’s collection and exhibitions and enjoy a live DJ set.

Design a book that can be rolled up! Using paper and wooden dowels, assemble a scroll then add decorative and narrative materials. Inspired by LACMA’s collection of Japanese hanging scrolls.

North Hollywood | NoHo Plaza (People St.)
Free, no reservations required
Note: This program takes place off-site at NoHo Plaza (People St.) between 5223–5225 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601 from 6–9 pm.

WORKSHOP: SCROLL AWAY WITH DEBRA DISMAN

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WORKSHOP: SCROLL AWAY WITH DEBRA DISMAN

Intergenerational Art Making at The Fowler Museum of UCLA

308 Charles E Young Dr N,
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 825-4361

The exhibition How to Make the Universe Right features large scroll paintings from Vietnam and China. Take in these magnificent art works and be inspired to create your very own scroll painting with marbled paper.

This is a drop-in workshop for all ages.
No registration required and all materials provided.

Parking available in UCLA Lot 4, 221 Westwood Plaza off Sunset Blvd
$3/hr or max $12/day