Debra Disman

Artist

Single Signature Books

We Invited the Community to “Make Your Own Journal” at the Panorama City Branch Library, And They Did!

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Through my Artist Residency with the Los Angles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence   I had the opportunity to offer a program/workshop via the Panorama Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library in which participants created  “single signature” bound books they could use for writing, drawing, note-keeping, poetry, homework, lists, photographs, recipes and more!


People of all ages were welcomed into the program, creating books that reflected their interests, their needs, and their feelings.

Some books were focused on theme and utility, others on design, color, texture and shapes.
All expressed the makers and served as a form of sharing with the group as well.

We look forward to more!

All workshops, programs, classes and events will be listed HERE!

Stay tuned, and join us!

“Make Your Own Journal” at the Panorama City Branch Library!

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Join us and start the school year of by learning how to make your very own handbound journal!

Los Angles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence Debra Disman will lead you in creating  a “single signature” bound book that you can use for writing, drawing, note-keeping, poetry, homework, lists, photographs, recipes and more!

Materials packets available.
Please contact the Panorama City Branch Library for details, and how to pick up your materials!

Making Journals at the Granada Hills Branch Library

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It was a pleasure to lead a “journal-making” workshop/program at the Granada Hills Branch Library as part of my Artist Residency there, supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Who knew creating a journal, traditionally a place to record daily thoughts, ideas, activities, fears, concerns, dreams and wishes would be so salient?


Families joined together to learn how to fold a “signature” (gathering of folded pages),


glue cover and spine boards to white-prepped canvas to create the book structure and “house” the pages,


then sew the signature  into the book through the spine using durable, earthy  hemp cord.


Having exerted this labor to create their book structure,  participants had the glorious pleasure of developing and embellishing their journals with decorative papers, washi tape, markers, beads, and other collage materials. The canvas book covering, functioning as a book cloth is a wonderful surface for painting, stamping, printmaking, stenciling and any other wet or dry media.

May journaling help all and any through this very difficult time we are in.
Journal on!

Make Your Own Book at the Sunland-Tujunga Branch Library!

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Join us and the Wide Open Reading group at the Sunland-Tujunga Library and learn to bind together your own book you can use as a journal, sketchbook, diary, dream catcher or idea book!

Learn what signatures are in bookbinding, and how they become book pages.
Create your book, then design, embellish, decorate and personalize your cover for inspiration

All materials provided.
All ages welcome. Bring the family and create together!

This program is part of my Artist Residency at the Sunland-Tujunga Public Library and is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department Cultural Affairs.

All that Glitters….

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As part of my Artist Residency at the Granada Hills Branch Library supported by the wonderful Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs,  I led a “gift bookmaking” program for the community.

As we found out, all that glitters may not be gold, but shiny stuff can be really fun to work with and inspire us to add a jewel-like quality to our handmade books.

Adults and children and teens/tweens alike enjoyed cutting out shapes from shiny, glittery adhesive-backed sheets!

The primary colors of red, yellow and blue never get old, especially when there is a glittery twist!

A very talented young maker created a “jewel”-studded book!

And he is a radiant Jewel himself…look at that 1000 watt smile!

A young reader tried  his hand a t bookmaking, cheered on my his Mom.

 

Here are his younger brother’s very seasonal works.

The fruits of their labor.

 

Participants made their way through the inevitable tangle of colorful ribbon to choose and use pieces to enhance their works.

Ribbon of wonders, just like the participants and their bookish creations!

 

Make a Gift Book at the Granada Hills Public Library!

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Give the gift of books, that you make yourself!
Make a Gift Book at the Granada Hills Public Library!

For the Holiday Season, come join Artist-in-Residence Debra Disman and make a fabulous gift book. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.