http://www.debbicommodore.com/book-arts daily 0.75 2025-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1714492212882-CZ1DPCFR0GXSUZV2ZPHA/Commodore-D-01c.jpeg Book Arts - Spaces to Receive No. 3 Spaces to Receive continues the exploration of the ordinary spaces of a day and the connection to water as a space of transformation since time immemorial. The push of discomfort, the pull of hope We move in the ordinary spaces of the days Warm water gently awakens Skimming across the surface the cool salt water tingles The inviting pull of the incoming tide The wonder of her reach across time and place Her dark depths of mystery, the unknown, and time We are received like those since time immemorial Together invited in wonder connection in spaces to receive transformation Coptic stitch; unique water colors; BFK; 80 pages; 6 x 5.5 x 1.25 inches; varied edition of 3 ©Debbi Commodore 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1714492212882-CZ1DPCFR0GXSUZV2ZPHA/Commodore-D-01c.jpeg Book Arts - Spaces to Receive No. 3 Spaces to Receive continues the exploration of the ordinary spaces of a day and the connection to water as a space of transformation since time immemorial. The push of discomfort, the pull of hope We move in the ordinary spaces of the days Warm water gently awakens Skimming across the surface the cool salt water tingles The inviting pull of the incoming tide The wonder of her reach across time and place Her dark depths of mystery, the unknown, and time We are received like those since time immemorial Together invited in wonder connection in spaces to receive transformation Coptic stitch; unique water colors; BFK; 80 pages; 6 x 5.5 x 1.25 inches; varied edition of 3 ©Debbi Commodore 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1740118073512-EL8WEIG3ZM3MXFR0EOWT/Commodore+01.jpg Book Arts - I Can Not See Myself A part of the “Other, Object, Me” series from Split Fountain, I Can Not See Myself reflects on seeing and humanizing the ‘other’. Asking—How limited is our vision? Do you see the object or the other? Are you able to see the other as you see yourself? Prints on Kozo paper, photos used with permission from the Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, one-of-a-kind, 2023. Photographs by: Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1714492021600-8OGB0GOLD1NHO6S7Y0I0/A-Commodore_Debbi_Dont+Keep+Secrets.jpeg Book Arts - Don't Keep Secrets Everyone has a few, sometimes we let one slip. If you choose to reveal a secret could a flower help you spill the beans? Are flowers more than their beauty? Can they convey a message secrecy? The unassuming bouquet of the white rose, snapdragon, foxglove, lavender, mock orange, maidenhair fern, and geranium symbolize the elements of secrecy—deceit, deception, and distrust. And to some, are more than just another flower in the vase. Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.” Square flexagon structure; relief print, BFK Rives; 2023; Edition of 11; 6 x .25 x 6 inches (height/width/length) White rose (carrier of secrets); Snapdragon (deception); Foxglove (deception); Lavender-(distrust); Mock orange-(deceit); Maidenhair fern-(secrecy); Geranium-deceit Photographs by: Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1683599826568-WG6Z4P11L9QISI0AUUQV/Commodore01a.jpg Book Arts - Meeting the Alchemist Along with six other artists “Meeting the Alchemist” was created. We combined our unique backgrounds, experiences, and talents with our passion for words, images, and curiosity. “Meeting the Alchemist” was inspired by our exploration of creating mono prints which have been used in this varied edition of 8. Using a few agreed upon elements each artist created one book and contributed to the one shared version. The lessons learned in the story represent the real life experience of the seven of us working together. Just like the spirits of this story evolved so did each of us. Single sheet maze structure on BFK Rives, assortment of mono prints layered with a beads, and woven paper; hard cover with book cloth and beads. Varied edition of 8 8 x 6 x 2.5 inches, 48 inches when stretched out, 30 pages Created in 2023 Photograph by Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1684189363162-SWD7QEP1SCYNN6I0Y4H3/image-asset.jpg Book Arts - Meeting the Alchemist-2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1683605358384-9O4RHDEZLSAVE1W2DU8K/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Take a Moment Beginning pre-pandemic, this piece continues exploring the ordinary spaces of my days and the connection to water as a space of transformation. I designed the work to push the traditional book form and to use the movement of the structure as a symbol of a year. Each time the book is arranged it is uniquely sculpted with hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments and mountains and curves representing life’s grief and celebrations. With the realities of 2020 the piece evolved to hold the views and reactions of Americans to the pandemic in the signatures (Pew Research March 2021 survey). Structure/Medium/Materials: Coptic stitch structure with 366 signatures; assorted one-of-a-kind paste papers, Kozo paper, assorted paper and expired work journal pages Created in 2022; one of a kind 2 x 2 x 39 inches; 4,392 pages Photographs by: Rachel Watson ©Debbi Commodore 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1607286539320-FYGMCKER2KFACSL2IPRH/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Revealing Invisible Patterns: A binding sampler Stitching is visible and invisible revealing of pattern. Visibly the pattern of stitches bind the section to the cover. Quiet stitches made over the course of time hold memory of daily hopes, despairs, joys and pains until one is ready to look back and hear what they have to reveal. Rilke’s lines capture the invisible patterns in stitching: In the traffic of our days may we attend to each thing so that patterns are revealed amidst the offerings of chance. All things want to be heard, so let us listen to what they say. In the end we will hear what we are: The orchard or the road leading past. A collection of samples from 1-2-&3-Section Sewings Non-adhesive binding volume II (Keith Smith); bib0adgesuve exposed spine bindings; signatures from The New York Review of Books, January 1971-January 1972; 7.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches; one of a kind ©Debbi Commodore 2019 Photograph by Ross Maulhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1714494806197-CBWXCR4THMJWCYBP85KD/Commodore02b.jpg Book Arts - This In the second year of the pandemic my day has new rhythms and routines. In THIS, two anchors move together, intersect, and frequently live in tension—my calendar, with its beauty and practical function, and the morning newspaper with its headlines of pandemic life. The predictability of the calendar and the unpredictable daily headlines weave a repeating rhythm—up and down, down and up through my days of 2021. This Second year Is it different? Unimaginable loss Calendar pages turn Months blend Days blur Heavy headlines Followed by heavier headlines A foggy, dull, numbness is this a real thing? Calendar pages turn Their shots My shots Devastating loss This year. Dragon fold book structure (aka “Burst” fold); 2021 calendar (Nikki McClure); 2022; one-of-a-kind; 3 x 3 x 3 inches; 48 pages Photographs by: Rachel Watson ©Debbi Commodore 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1607294666347-4Q929L8M16V6PHIJ3A5X/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Spaces to Receive The push of discomfort, the pull of hope I move in the ordinary spaces of my days Warm water on my face gently awakens me Gentle mist tickles my skin as I rush out the door Puddle ripples mark where I have been Cool water from the glass provokes my finger tips Still water of the slack tide reflects an image of a stranger Hot water unsettles me as I wash up after a meal Droplets of rain race down the window distracting my gaze Hot steam from the kettle dances and sings beckoning me back In the ordinary spaces of my days The water receives me Might these be a baptism? Might these be my spaces to receive transformation? Artist designed paste paper covering a unique coptic bound book with 12 signatures of woven pages from an expired work journal providing the space to house 24 pastel interpretations of water. 9 x 8.75 x 1 inches ©Debbi Commodore 2020 Photograph by Ross Maulhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1683600197004-90N23WM3GFD49WQF2WJR/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Spaces to Receive Video https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1740118161114-HK44DJ3UKAYSW16AY21Y/STR2-b2-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Spaces to Receive No. 2 The push of discomfort, the pull of hope I move in the ordinary spaces of my days Warm water on my face gently awakens me Gentle mist tickles my skin as I rush out the door Puddle ripples mark where I have been Cool water from the glass provokes my finger tips Still water of the slack tide reflects an image of a stranger Hot water unsettles me as I wash up after a meal Droplets of rain race down the window distracting my gaze Hot steam from the kettle dances and sings beckoning me back In the ordinary spaces of my days The water receives me Might these be a baptism? Might these be my spaces to receive transformation? Flag book structure with woven pages from an expired work journal and artist designed paste paper. Photographs by: Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1714494493637-AZH44T9Q5A5PRET8NBOR/IMG_5205+2.JPG Book Arts - Reversal of Destiny Inspired by the Esther Scroll Scroll structure with walnut handles hand-made by Sonny Raines; relief prints on Encyclopedia Britannica pages; 19 inches x 6 inches (scroll rolled on rollers) ; 126 feet (scroll unrolled) 4 print designs; 144 printed pages ©Debbi Commodore 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1607295809143-LFG17LRAV96SSK9VUR7C/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Revealing Invisible Patterns: A Binding Sampler Revealing Invisible Patterns: A Binding Sampler Stitching is visible and invisible revealing of pattern. Visibly the pattern of stitches bind the section to the cover. Quiet stitches made over the course of time hold memory of daily hopes, despairs, joys and pains until one is ready to look back and hear what they have to reveal. Rilke’s lines capture the invisible patterns in stitching: In the traffic of our days may we attend to each thing so that patterns are revealed amidst the offerings of chance. All things want to be heard, so let us listen to what they say. In the end we will hear what we are: The orchard or the road leading past. A collection of samples from 1-2-&3-Section Sewings from Non-adhesive binding volume II (Keith Smith), 59 non-adhesive binding structures, sheets from The New York Review of Books, January 1971-January 1972, 7.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches, one of a kind ©Debbi Commodore 2019 Photograph by Ross Maulhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1607295278646-LWJLF6IENMIK2HP1063E/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Chronos and Kairos At what points in a year will Kairos, moments or opportune times, be revealed? What if the chronological year was shaped like a book that had not been yet been written? And what if this book pushed the traditional book form and included markers where Kairos were sculpted along-side the hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments—mountains and curves of grief and celebrations—what shape would the year take? Would it have many small gentle bends or overlap weaving over itself forming and opening itself to what might come? Coptic stitch structure with 365 signatures; assorted one-of-a-kind paste papers, 2.5 x 2 x 39 inches, 365 signatures; one of a kind ©Debbi Commodore 2018 Photographs by Ross Mulhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1607289230534-E0K292YAVPG3R4TNLYPC/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Tussie Mussie No. 1--Lasting bond: Joy and friendship This book was inspired from tussie mussie bouquets and draws from the language of flowers. This bouquet consists of dahlias and yellow roses. Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.” Reproduction of tinted paper cut, 8 x 8 x .5 inches, limited edition ©Debbi Commodore 2018 Photograph by Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1740117781809-59VQ4LIGP1JNT6NELA8J/commodore02a.jpg Book Arts - 29 Nations Washington state is home to 29 tribes. Indigenous people have experienced a culturally rich and tragic history. Their influence on this area is not just found in the history books it can be found in our place names, current conservation efforts, leadership, state culture and the arts. Modified accordion, image from University of Washington Library Digital Collection; Texts from Shinn’s History of the American People (1893) and Washington Indian Tribes Today (Seattle Times 2016) 5.25 x 8 x 1.5 inches, (one of a kind) ©Debbi Commodore 2017 Photograph by Ross Maulhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1496711406802-IV8HEHSBA0SLVDE7F47K/commodore01a.jpg Book Arts - Rain The story of a place is told in part by its climate. The climate impacts how people dress, what/how vegetation will grow, how time is spent outside and the structure of homes. Western Washington, in particular the greater Tacoma area, experiences about 155 days of measurable rain per year. And while that may only represent on average 3 days a week it often seems to be a constant. This piece takes a whimsical look at the different types of rain fall in a structure often associated with a traditional children’s toy. Reproduced tinted-papercuts, Jacob’s Ladder structure 3.25 x 4.5 1.75 (edition of 3) ©Debbi Commodore 2017 Photograph by Ross Malhausen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1457835351486-LU4JPEHROONW11I8HG25/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - 365 What will be revealed in a year? What if the year was shaped like a book that had not been yet been written? And what if this book pushed the traditional book form and could be sculpted with the hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments—mountains and curves of grief and celebrations—what shape would the year take? Would it have many small gentle bends or overlap weaving over itself forming and opening itself to what might come? Coptic stitch structure with 365 signatures; assorted papers and watch parts. 2.25 x 2.25 x 37 inches, 365 signatures (one of a kind) ©Debbi Commodore 2016   Photograph by Chris Tumbusch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1457835660260-CJH5AKPMJJ4OFVWXBZHL/image-asset.jpeg Book Arts - Visible Make visible what without you, might perhaps never have been seen. ~~Robert Bresson   Eight unique paper cuts accompany the quote from Robert Bresson in a unique accordion fold structure.   5 x 5 x 1 inch (12 inch diameter when formed into a circle); 9 pages; one of a kind   © Debbi Commodore 2016   Photograph by Chris Tumbusch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611761455-T9HGQXKN779ZEFHTUO0S/Seductive-Abuncance-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Seductive Promises of Abundance This piece is inspired by the mark in time each winter—the cold, dark, dormant days when the seed catalogs arrive bringing promise this season will pass and a new one will soon begin filled with hope of abundance. Her dog-eared pages mark a place in time where we dream of what is possible and escape the realities of inexperience, uncertainty, failure and disappointment. We move between remembering past harvests and dreaming. We make our lists, plans, and schedules; we begin to look forward—she teases us with what will be given, celebrating before there is a bounty. Drawn to her lush images, poetic descriptions, and yield promises we ready ourselves, counting the days, waiting. We become like the seed germinating in the soil. The neatly planted rows become overgrown; the simple seed catalog has given permission to dream and perhaps reflect beyond the harvest. Materials: seed catalogs Dragon-fold structure 12 books housed in a 8 x 10 x .75 box; books open to 20 inches (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611856514-ZVOTJU234ZEUY2LXKV0M/Instrument-Measurement-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Instruments of Measurement The variable book edition was designed in celebration of the 5th anniversary of the Puget Sound Book Artist Annual Member Exhibition. Variable copy no. 1 was presented as the PSBA Annual Exhibition award for the Curators’ Award to Gabby Cooksey for "Monsters and Beasts". The book contains the quote by William Fleming; Arts and Ideas; “To understand the spirit and inner life of a people—the joys, values, and drives that caused it to find life tolerable and meaningful—one must examine its art, literature, philosophy, dances, and music, because these are the instruments by which humankind takes its own measure.” Materials: assortment of wood veneer panels Accordion binding 5 x 5 inches; variable edition of 5 © Debbi Commodore 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447966738220-8B8RJ42RENPMLQ16QRVG/Neighborhood-N3-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Neighborhood No. 3 This piece is a part of a on-going series exploring the urban city. Working within the context of my own neighborhood, with all of our differences, I honored our connection. I am inspired by how this little city neighborhood block of ours with our collection of varying sizes, shapes, colors, styles and beliefs fills such a basic need we all have and adds deep value to the quality of life.   Linocut relief print Flag book strucuture 4.5 x 4.5 x .75 inches (opens to 13 inches), 5 pages (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2014   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446439026035-HBDREZNL9I81OPDVSAUJ/w_Neigborhood_N1_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Neighborhood No. 1 This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Working within the context of my own neighborhood, with all of our differences, I honored our connection. I am inspired by how this little city neighborhood block of ours with our collection of varying sizes, shapes, colors, styles and beliefs fills such a basic need we all have and adds deep value to the quality of life. Linocut relief print Flutter-style accordion structure 4.5 x 4.25 x .75 inches (opens to 12 inches), 3 pages (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611941146-NVR8EGXLU8ZK4BHIY6ES/Circles-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Circles Circles began as an expression to mirror the messy realities of life and evolved to an unforeseen experience of movement with the all-familiar, symbolic circle. Holding tight to the tensions between the extensive symbolic meanings of the circle and intertwined with whimsy and inspiration-from-nature Circles winds through the dark corridors of time. Relief print Accordion structure 2.25 x 3 inches; edition of 6; 4 books © Debbi Commodore 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447969591552-4Z5BY5ZRV6679R5GV4X2/Threads-Hope-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Threads of Hope The most solid and important things in our lives are ever-changing, either very slowly or quickly. Hope explores the rhythm and pattern of everyday life with the ups and downs of complex uncertainties. Intertwined in the hills and valleys of our journey is anticipation, faith, desire—hope. With its fragility, power and promise hope has the ability to beckon us, moving us further along in our journey. Accordion flutter book 4.25 x 2.5 x .75 inches (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611967236-QPCHOG9T3HSNJBOBG0ZO/1948-Fall-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - 1948-Fall 1948-Fall uniquely chronicles my grandparent’s lives for three months through their counter checks (bank checks and their bank statement). Counter checks were a commonplace at the stores much the way the credit/debt processing machine is now found at the register. This book gives pause for reflection to a simpler time without usernames and passwords as the viewer notices the absence of an account number on the check; the checks were processed on recognition of signature alone. Counter checks with walnut covers Signatures sewn on tapes 3.5 x 4.75 inches (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2012   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611919908-BI7906H9AAWWKGPZ9SFE/Dahlia-Inspired-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Dahlia Inspired The book, dahlia Inspired, contains 20 unique dahlia inspired flowers using 6 relief cuts. I am captivated by flowers—their geometry, color, names and the emotion and memories they can invoke. In this book each flower in in full bloom, with a showy lack of discretion, and have been selected for their color, size and durability. Dahlia Inspired continues the quest for the perfect flower. Long-stitch binding with 30 linoleum relief cuts (see Relief Prints) 10 x 11.5 inches (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2011   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611891630-ZSH8PKFDH9ON8CGNAYMG/Get-More-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Get More In the winter of 2007 a mailbox filled with a wild collection of catalogs and credit card applications is a demonstration of the easy credit era before the market crashes. In Get More I break apart these bulging packages of the easy credit era in a series of 13 books housed in four boxes. Each boxed grouping of books is created from a different component of the credit card application. Materials: credit card applications Various bindings (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2008   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611823883-EI657V8ZWIHVWILCCCHU/Paintbox-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Paintbox-the place where light dances Mesmerized by the intensity of color, visiting the hardware paint department gives a dizzing sensory delight. Incredible colors coupled with their seductive names—Autumn Fire, Sonic Plum, Deep sea Diving and Snowy Dusk, to name a few. Paintbox—the place where light dances was inspired by the delight in color and Victoria Finlay’s book Color. Materials: paint chips Stiff leaf binding book structure housed in a divided clam shell box 8.5 x 18 x 2 inches; 10 books (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2010   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611838659-7BJST1QUPWC2BP77N82W/Ordinary-Important-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Book Arts - Ordinary Important I explore shifting something perceived as ordinary and temporary to valued and important. By altering the format from catalog to a book structure housed in a wrapped-in case I want to challenge the common perception of disposable catalog to treasured book of catalog pages. Materials: catalogs Edge sewn binding 6.25 x 4.25 x 1.5 inches (one-of-a-kind) © Debbi Commodore 2008   https://static1.squarespace.com/static/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/5636e638e4b09ef9b6255d8e/645cf67ad6458050c3e44801/1714493603174/ Book Arts http://www.debbicommodore.com/relief-prints daily 0.75 2025-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447968067634-7ONI7MM0VFLV2L6F1UHK/Neighborhood-1-Debbi-Commodore-new-wr.jpg Relief Prints - Neighborhood No.1 This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Relief print (Hand-tinted) 8 x 12 inches © Debbi Commodore 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447968067634-7ONI7MM0VFLV2L6F1UHK/Neighborhood-1-Debbi-Commodore-new-wr.jpg Relief Prints - Neighborhood No.1 This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Relief print (Hand-tinted) 8 x 12 inches © Debbi Commodore 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447969080388-AUWK6GDGF5KN1HJ3LPES/Neighborhood-N3A-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Neighborhood No. 3 (A) This piece is apart of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Relief print (Chine-collé) 5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2014 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447969038027-FRJSMN3TIV06FSHCBXYG/Neighborhood-N3B-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Neighborhood No. 3a This piece is apart of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Relief print (Chine-collé) 6 x 6 inches © Debbi Commodore 2014 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860417511-WUFDLTN6JFPSCL4X98YE/wr-Dahlia-Inspired-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Dahlia Inspired From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860443505-2YLQDSWM11E6TOHLB8XD/wr-Sunkissed-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Sunkissed From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860434817-9XN32P5ORGPYWCU4TXXF/wr-Moonglow-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Moonglow From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611508697-D52BFPXOU31JMIKKX408/Delicate-Beauty-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Delicate Beauty From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860415866-Y6RLLA6X3ZKXKLKP6WZ4/wr-Bliss-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Bliss From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860447397-4KQ651NO4GZX9KEXSJNE/wr-Sweet-Spring-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Sweet Spring From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860430227-IP61HQBM1CMB9MHYD9GS/wr-Mid-Night-Moon-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Mid-Night Moon From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860449295-FL89D68EADXFVVKVIUBV/wr-Sweet-Youth-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Sweet Youth From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860426375-RUK644JSOMSHGH689UGB/wr-French-Vanilla-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - French Vanilla From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860437919-LEMDO2MDISR8WPUGCEF7/wr-Raspberrry-Delight-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Raspberry Delight From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860432603-4Y21XQE39PKXKGAKBPI0/wr-Paparazzi-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Paparazzi From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860434792-JZFNLKW415IDQH5I63D9/wr-Prudence-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Prudence From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860442196-J3TORYEIIXR5SUD12YVH/wr-Simple-Elegance-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Simple Elegance From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860429234-R4AP06QAW7UTWSOL3RG5/wr-Grace-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Grace From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860437566-5KGI3907OW2FN8XRTI83/wr-Rhubarb-Fool-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Rhubarb Fool From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446913888902-FJWJ9Y14GH654X6DMLMN/wr-Splendor-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Spendor From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446912334903-ZMMP7Y9FXJ8MWV0VZ23Y/wr-Glorious-Day-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Glorious Day From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860423479-1HADD5YPVWP8N6QISM71/wr-First-Blush-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - First Blush From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860423366-MFMJ6VL4KSPK5NRY6HFC/wr-Firecracker-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Firecracker From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860444833-7DWUPVOYPZLE8N48IYAL/wr-Summer-Night-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Summers Night From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446913888337-0I79LO60SNZPMD2HPCPV/wr-Splendor-2-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Splendor 2 From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446914875649-N4K1MU25D7G8OM9NH5W9/wr-Enchantment-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Enchantment From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860449346-KAY1ECV10FJS820J6W29/wr-Sunlight-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Sunlight From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446911362448-COOV313OF3O4G3WLTFNY/Justice-Debbi-Commodore-4x6.jpg Relief Prints - Justice From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446911396212-1QYFNQ0NA0VT0G93OFS3/wr-Delicate-Beauty-2-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Delicate Beauty 2 From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446911426630-2Z039HTEB5BBMYVNGUOJ/wr-Hopeles-Love-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Hopeless Love From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446914089226-0LNC0LDCWZHPGDWON86Q/wr-Modest-Beauty-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Modest Beauty From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446911448658-6566ARWADSK84B0SUTXQ/wr-Champagne-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Champagne From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446911471574-UWCCGAXCEF2Y57SJVXRK/wr-Good-Fairy-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Good Fairy From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 3.5 x 5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446860430142-AU22NP35EK5Y29BV7N6I/wr-Hope-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Hope From one-of-a-kind artist book Dahlia Inspired Hand-tinted relief print; open edition 5 x 3.5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1447824965733-JMR6GROT644I812WDJ27/Leap-frog-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Leap Frog Hand-tinted relief print; edition of 10 12 x 12 inches © Debbi Commodore 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446611436341-NH6S43NOH8CK8YPYS57M/Pissed-Off-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Relief Prints - Pissed Off Hand-tinted relief print; edition of 5 8 x 10 inches © Debbi Commodore 2014 http://www.debbicommodore.com/paper-cuts daily 0.75 2024-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446612752608-NYLEKPBQG7AFUDIHGZJW/trafficbox_neighborhood_side_a_debbi_commodore_artist.jpg Paper-cuts - Neighborhood No. 4-A One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project. They will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Hand-tinted paper cut 14 x 16 inches © Debbi Commodore 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446612752608-NYLEKPBQG7AFUDIHGZJW/trafficbox_neighborhood_side_a_debbi_commodore_artist.jpg Paper-cuts - Neighborhood No. 4-A One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project. They will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Hand-tinted paper cut 14 x 16 inches © Debbi Commodore 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446095795717-EMCZAXHGSDLYKCDMEFHN/traffic_box_neighborhood_top_debbi_commodore_artist.jpg Paper-cuts - Neighborhood No. 4 (top) One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project. They will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. 11 x 7.5 inches © Debbi Commodore 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446095781966-VJQS8A7G3NF5QHO85R2S/traffic_box_neighborhood_side_b_debbi_commodore_artist.jpg Paper-cuts - Neighborhood No. 4-B One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project. They will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. This piece is a part of an on-going series exploring the urban city. Hand-tinted paper cut 14 x 16 inches © Debbi Commodore 2105 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1446095757223-RXRMRU6NFOBD2WLK0INW/jellyfish_no.1_debbi_commodore_artist.jpg Paper-cuts - Jellyfish No. 1 Part of a body of work on the study of jellyfish (in progress). Hand-tinted paper cut 9 x 19 inches © Debbi Commodore 2015 http://www.debbicommodore.com/prints daily 0.75 2015-10-29 http://www.debbicommodore.com/boxes-1 daily 0.75 2025-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1483757864070-UXO5DKMNP7V8JC6584P5/Of_Twenty_all_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Boxes - Of Twenty (2016) An exercise of handmade boxes Boxes, quite ordinary, functional, utilitarian. For those of us who delight in having everything in its place boxes are a foundation. It is very satisfying to come into possession of a good box. It is a keen sense to know if a box is categorized as good. A good box can be both structurally wonderful and also beautiful. I desire to be able to make a structurally sound, beautiful box. This takes practice, a lot of practice. I have been told, and know it to be true, that to know how to do something well you must practice it, a lot. An artist teaching a book structure challenged his students to make the structure he taught them twenty times declaring that after making the structure twenty times then they will begin to know how to make the structure. My desire to know the craft of structurally sound, beautiful boxes and the need to practice led me to Of Twenty. In an exercise to be a more skilled box maker I have made a variable edition of twenty lock-top clam shell boxes. Each box in this series of twenty boxes is handmade with perfect imperfections. If you are so inclined to look closely it is likely you will find unwieldy glue, mis-cut cloth and slightly sticky lock-tops. Don’t be distracted by the perfect imperfections, but rather be inspired to use the box. I am distributing my edition in the hopes the new box owner will fill the box with something, something important, or something ordinary, or something fragile, or something you don’t want to misplace. Use the box, enjoy the box, hopefully the box will bring you some joy. Of Twenty is not just about me making and distributing my boxes. It is an interactive project between me, the box maker and you—the new box owner. I would like to document what/how you use the box—whatever it is that you fill the box with take a picture of the item in the box and share it with me for my documentation of the ordinary, and not so ordinary life of this box in the edition Of Twenty. The documentation of the boxes use will be bound in a book and housed in a box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1483757864070-UXO5DKMNP7V8JC6584P5/Of_Twenty_all_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Boxes - Of Twenty (2016) An exercise of handmade boxes Boxes, quite ordinary, functional, utilitarian. For those of us who delight in having everything in its place boxes are a foundation. It is very satisfying to come into possession of a good box. It is a keen sense to know if a box is categorized as good. A good box can be both structurally wonderful and also beautiful. I desire to be able to make a structurally sound, beautiful box. This takes practice, a lot of practice. I have been told, and know it to be true, that to know how to do something well you must practice it, a lot. An artist teaching a book structure challenged his students to make the structure he taught them twenty times declaring that after making the structure twenty times then they will begin to know how to make the structure. My desire to know the craft of structurally sound, beautiful boxes and the need to practice led me to Of Twenty. In an exercise to be a more skilled box maker I have made a variable edition of twenty lock-top clam shell boxes. Each box in this series of twenty boxes is handmade with perfect imperfections. If you are so inclined to look closely it is likely you will find unwieldy glue, mis-cut cloth and slightly sticky lock-tops. Don’t be distracted by the perfect imperfections, but rather be inspired to use the box. I am distributing my edition in the hopes the new box owner will fill the box with something, something important, or something ordinary, or something fragile, or something you don’t want to misplace. Use the box, enjoy the box, hopefully the box will bring you some joy. Of Twenty is not just about me making and distributing my boxes. It is an interactive project between me, the box maker and you—the new box owner. I would like to document what/how you use the box—whatever it is that you fill the box with take a picture of the item in the box and share it with me for my documentation of the ordinary, and not so ordinary life of this box in the edition Of Twenty. The documentation of the boxes use will be bound in a book and housed in a box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1483758889045-MAYCRE4SXEJNV22RLU7W/Of_Twenty_group1_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Boxes - Of Twenty Box 1-5 in the Of Twenty edition by Debbi Commodore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1483758924124-LB0697N757SE9AWTQYNN/Of_Twenty_group2_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Boxes - Of Twenty Box 5-13 in the Of Twenty edition by Debbi Commodore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1483758937741-1KZY9944LAMHTEONH5P7/Of_Twenty_group3_Debbi_Commodore.jpg Boxes Box 14-20 in the Of Twenty edition by Debbi Commodore. http://www.debbicommodore.com/new-gallery-wexley daily 0.75 2025-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457024162806-XH03IVFMI26S05KB074J/31.jpg portfolio - Caravan In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Fusce eu erat tincidunt, dapibus sem scelerisque, dapibus nibh. Proin fringilla, est non fermentum cursus, elit nibh hendrerit velit, vitae congue neque augue sed odio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457024162806-XH03IVFMI26S05KB074J/31.jpg portfolio - Caravan In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Fusce eu erat tincidunt, dapibus sem scelerisque, dapibus nibh. Proin fringilla, est non fermentum cursus, elit nibh hendrerit velit, vitae congue neque augue sed odio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457034507462-JR4KZT5NAGZ87QILTAC6/28.jpg portfolio - Cliffs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031763440-E82H0LAZIG2XLL26AAY2/30.jpg portfolio - Dock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031553141-2EDGFCXBDANWD56XX4YY/76.jpg portfolio - Solitude https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031906980-BVOFDIJSL7YE2U2DMUD0/16.jpg portfolio - Morning Fog II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031825066-V3EBUJH0IML6AK82T43U/80.jpg portfolio - Dive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457032139359-ZKWD9I711OE2K2SMSHY8/97.jpg portfolio - Dry Fire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031682086-BIUEI6WPDYWKESP3YXHH/27.jpg portfolio - Morning Fog I https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031630093-2WADUXNMOKPANBYFCUKY/96.jpg portfolio - Autumn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457032067576-FPDEJ7CNVUO90W56XX0N/13.jpg portfolio - Yacht https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457024303952-E8OMFUNZVW3SJVA424ML/74.jpg portfolio - Minions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457031995688-DIRQI4DDQ6K246BMK4CJ/52.jpg portfolio - Wood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457024233961-13OQC2U6Z5U9NLKY87AH/25.jpg portfolio - Valley Fog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457034945436-EUEYEHWWC8966HIIR7SN/29.jpg portfolio - Squad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457034841481-DOYPXHBBXZFIVA7XEVQK/36.jpg portfolio - Risk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cddecb2b8ddeef8fbf9088/1457034849831-ZJJVL3M2HD4GGBU1BHR9/34.jpg portfolio - Lineup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1740173220691-ZYQDYU4Q3ZXO1CI0S52O/image-asset.jpeg portfolio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/67b8ef63e00d327b35321d98/67b8ef678f831b6d54ac48b6/1742926478089/ portfolio http://www.debbicommodore.com/otherobjectme daily 0.75 2025-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742931283876-87WS1P3Y0GPKD0VVXESW/Copy%25252Bof%25252BABBY%25252BWILLIAMS%25252BHILL%25252BARTIST%25252BBOOKS-27.jpg Other-Object-Me - I Can Not See Myself I Can Not See Myself features Abbie William Hill between 1902-1906 when she was commissioned by the railroads to paint western landscapes. And specifically her time at Trout Lake, Washington (neighboring Yakama Reservation) and Flathead Reservation, Montana. This piece draws from Abbie’s 1902 journal entry of an experience with a Native woman insisting that Abbie sketch herself just as she had sketched a young Native man. After Abbie’s objection to the idea because she “can not see herself” the woman returns with a mirror and Abbie becomes the object as she hastily sketches herself. This experience shifted who was the other, the object, and opens an opportunity to look closer at how we humanize the other. It is easy to look back and see, and judge, how past societies othered groups that were different. I am interested in both asking what did Abbie see and experience, and how do we today continue to other and objectifypeople that are different? In Abbie’s experience with the Native Americans she encountered, I wonder did she see their realities—the loss of identity, language, culture, and place? Did she see their loss from disease and boarding schools? And today, do we have the courage to ask ourselves—How limited is my vision? Can I see the other as I see myself? What are the ways we continue to other? Accordion structure, mono-prints, photos used with permission from the Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound | X pages; H x W x D inches, opens to X inches| Unique| 2023 | Photograph by the Collins Library This book is in the University of Puget Sound Collins Library collection. ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742931283876-87WS1P3Y0GPKD0VVXESW/Copy%25252Bof%25252BABBY%25252BWILLIAMS%25252BHILL%25252BARTIST%25252BBOOKS-27.jpg Other-Object-Me - I Can Not See Myself I Can Not See Myself features Abbie William Hill between 1902-1906 when she was commissioned by the railroads to paint western landscapes. And specifically her time at Trout Lake, Washington (neighboring Yakama Reservation) and Flathead Reservation, Montana. This piece draws from Abbie’s 1902 journal entry of an experience with a Native woman insisting that Abbie sketch herself just as she had sketched a young Native man. After Abbie’s objection to the idea because she “can not see herself” the woman returns with a mirror and Abbie becomes the object as she hastily sketches herself. This experience shifted who was the other, the object, and opens an opportunity to look closer at how we humanize the other. It is easy to look back and see, and judge, how past societies othered groups that were different. I am interested in both asking what did Abbie see and experience, and how do we today continue to other and objectifypeople that are different? In Abbie’s experience with the Native Americans she encountered, I wonder did she see their realities—the loss of identity, language, culture, and place? Did she see their loss from disease and boarding schools? And today, do we have the courage to ask ourselves—How limited is my vision? Can I see the other as I see myself? What are the ways we continue to other? Accordion structure, mono-prints, photos used with permission from the Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound | X pages; H x W x D inches, opens to X inches| Unique| 2023 | Photograph by the Collins Library This book is in the University of Puget Sound Collins Library collection. ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1740191995427-BQ0UMBCPC794OC8M8IFQ/commodore02b%2Bcopy.jpg Other-Object-Me - 29 Nations Washington State is home to 29 tribes. Indigenous people have experienced a culturally rich and tragic history. Their influence on this area is not just found in the history books it can be found in our place names, current conservation efforts, leadership, state culture and the arts. Modified accordion, image used with permission from University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, NA729 |Texts from Shinn's History of the American People (1893) and Washington Indian Tribes Today (Seattle Times 2016) | X pages; 5.25 x 8 x 1.5 inches, opens to X inches | Unique | 2017 | Photograph by Ross Mulhausen ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742926357591-2VMWMZH9IG2ZZ43N142I/editedIMG_6011.jpg Other-Object-Me - Race As a country we have deep tension and struggle with acceptance we all are equal within our race—Human Race. In the short history of the United States, racial identification has been one of our country’s most complex and dominating issues resulting in genocide, riots, civil war, segregation, assimilation, extinction of groups, extraction of cultural identity, and the multi-generation impact of oppression. Race explores how our eyes read the words Human Race when the letters have been reordered. My intent is to recognize that in spite of the devastation, destruction, oppression and the countless attempts to classify people we ultimately all remain members of the same group, the same race. It is important to recognize the complex, and often untold, realities of our history with racial identification so that we can walk stronger alongside the groups that have suffered and support them in rebuilding. Flag book structure, letterpress printed | 8 pages | 5.25 x 5.25 x .75 inches (up to 45 inches stretched out) |Edition of 3 | 2014 | Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore http://www.debbicommodore.com/spaces-to-receive daily 0.75 2026-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1773444017528-I9Y2A3FFZOACTYGHEEEC/Commodore_D_1a.jpg Spaces to Receive - Becoming Becoming is a set of three artist books—Persistence, Attention, and Courage—reflecting on fifteen years of becoming the artist I am and imagining the years ahead. Recurring imagery moves through each book: bold, layered colors in Persistence speak to the past; Attention inhabits the present, holding what is known, the uncertainty of what is unfolding, and the recognition that I arrived here through the support of others; Courage looks forward with muted, dreamlike tones. The triangular structure gathers past, present, and future, while stitching marks time—threads of remembering and dreaming. Bound in Daniel E. Kelm’s wire-edge structure, Stonehenge, Fabriano Tiziano, Fabriano Unica, pochoir monoprints, brass rods, various DMC and beading thread Persistence (5.75 x 5.75 x 2 inches), 15 panels or 30 pages Attention (4.25 × 4.25 x .25 inches), 3 panels or 6 pages Courage (6 × 6 × 2 inches), 15 panels or 30 pages ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1773444017528-I9Y2A3FFZOACTYGHEEEC/Commodore_D_1a.jpg Spaces to Receive - Becoming Becoming is a set of three artist books—Persistence, Attention, and Courage—reflecting on fifteen years of becoming the artist I am and imagining the years ahead. Recurring imagery moves through each book: bold, layered colors in Persistence speak to the past; Attention inhabits the present, holding what is known, the uncertainty of what is unfolding, and the recognition that I arrived here through the support of others; Courage looks forward with muted, dreamlike tones. The triangular structure gathers past, present, and future, while stitching marks time—threads of remembering and dreaming. Bound in Daniel E. Kelm’s wire-edge structure, Stonehenge, Fabriano Tiziano, Fabriano Unica, pochoir monoprints, brass rods, various DMC and beading thread Persistence (5.75 x 5.75 x 2 inches), 15 panels or 30 pages Attention (4.25 × 4.25 x .25 inches), 3 panels or 6 pages Courage (6 × 6 × 2 inches), 15 panels or 30 pages ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742946159446-ZRCBVY0IIGIME2BK3NR9/SpacestoReceive-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Spaces to Receive - Spaces to Receive No. 1 Spaces to Receive is the artist’s exploration of transformation through interactions with water in the ordinary spaces of her day. The push of discomfort, the pull of hope I move in the ordinary spaces of my days Warm water on my face gently awakens me Gentle mist tickles my skin as I rush out the door Puddle ripples mark where I have been Cool water from the glass provokes my fingertips Still water of the slack tide reflects an image of a stranger Hot water unsettles me as I wash up after a meal Droplets of rain race down the window distracting my gaze Hot steam from the kettle dances and sings beckoning me back In the ordinary spaces of my days The water receives me Might these be a baptism? Might these be my spaces to receive transformation? Artist designed paste paper covering a unique Coptic bound book with 12 signatures of woven pages from an expired work journal providing the space to house 24 pastel interpretations of water | 24 pages | 9 x 8.75 x 1 inches | Unique| 2020 |Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742945412193-VFYHLP5VD4WK3JX28OQB/STR2-b2-Commodore.jpg Spaces to Receive - Spaces to Receive No. 2 Spaces to Receive is the artist’s exploration of transformation through interactions with water in the ordinary spaces of her day. The push of discomfort, the pull of hope I move in the ordinary spaces of my days Warm water on my face gently awakens me Gentle mist tickles my skin as I rush out the door Puddle ripples mark where I have been Cool water from the glass provokes my finger tips Still water of the slack tide reflects an image of a stranger Hot water unsettles me as I wash up after a meal Droplets of rain race down the window distracting my gaze Hot steam from the kettle dances and sings beckoning me back In the ordinary spaces of my days The water receives me Might these be a baptism? Might these be my spaces to receive transformation? Artist designed paste paper covering two flag book structures with woven pages from an expired work journal and artist designed paste paper | 7.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches | Unique| 2020 | Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore 2020 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923583546-L0OXQXFJ1VAMAL18MM38/Commodore-D-01c.jpeg Spaces to Receive - Spaces to Receive No. 3 Spaces to Receive continues the exploration of the ordinary spaces of a day and the connection to water as a space of transformation since time immemorial. The push of discomfort, the pull of hope We move in the ordinary spaces of the days Warm water gently awakens Skimming across the surface the cool salt water tingles The inviting pull of the incoming tide The wonder of her reach across time and place Her dark depths of mystery, the unknown, and time We are received like those since time immemorial Together invited in wonder connection in spaces to receive transformation Coptic stitch structure, unique water colors on BFK | 80 pages | 6 x 5.5 x 1.25 inches | Varied edition of 2 | 2024 | Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923479856-T6S7IJQVTQ4F3RJ9DFWO/commodore01a.jpg Spaces to Receive - Revealing Invisible Patterns: A Binding Sampler Inspired by Keith Smith’s 1-2-&3-Section Sewings I became the student learning 59 non-adhesive binding structures. Like many 18th century young woman working on their embroidery samplers, I too spent countless hours learning each intricate stitch and paying homage to the art of binding. Stitching is visible and invisible revealing of pattern. Visibly the pattern of stitches bind the section to the cover. Quiet stitches made over the course of time hold memory of daily hopes, despairs, joys and pains until one is ready to look back and hear what they have to reveal. Rilke’s lines capture the invisible patterns in stitching: In the traffic of our days may we attend to each thing so that patterns are revealed amidst the offerings of chance. All things want to be heard, so let us listen to what they say. In the end we will hear what we are: The orchard or the road leading past. A collection of sample binding structures from 1-2-&3-Section Sewings, Non-adhesive binding volume II by Keith Smith| 59 non-adhesive binding structures | container is 7.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches | Unique | 2019 | Photograph by artist This book is in the University of Puget Sound Collins Library collection. ©Debbi Commodore 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923636236-QNFUBQY3N4U4IRIVVD8W/commodore01a.jpg Spaces to Receive - Visible Make visible what without you, might perhaps never have been seen. ~~Robert Bresson Eight unique paper cuts accompany the quote from Robert Bresson in a unique accordion fold structure | 9 pages | 5 x 6 x 1 inches (12 inch diameter when stretched out and formed into a circle) | Unique | 2016 | Photograph by Chris Tumbusch © Debbi Commodore 2016 http://www.debbicommodore.com/mystery-of-nature daily 0.75 2025-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923897624-RVSDFMISNV1EFJHZAEJW/A-Commodore_Debbi_Dont%2BKeep%2BSecrets.jpg Mystery of Nature - Don't Keep Secrets Everyone has a few, sometimes we let one slip. If you choose to reveal a secret could a flower help you spill the beans? Are flowers more than their beauty? Can they convey a message secrecy? The unassuming bouquet of the white rose, snapdragon, foxglove, lavender, mock orange, maidenhair fern, and geranium symbolize the elements of secrecy—deceit, deception, and distrust. And to some, are more than just another flower in the vase. Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.” Square flexagon structure, relief print, BFK Rives | 6 x .25 x 6 inches | Edition of 11 | Created in 2023 | Photography by artist. White rose (carrier of secrets) | Snapdragon (deception) | Foxglove (deception) | Lavender-(distrust) | Mock orange-(deceit) | Maidenhair fern-(secrecy) | Geranium-deceit ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923897624-RVSDFMISNV1EFJHZAEJW/A-Commodore_Debbi_Dont%2BKeep%2BSecrets.jpg Mystery of Nature - Don't Keep Secrets Everyone has a few, sometimes we let one slip. If you choose to reveal a secret could a flower help you spill the beans? Are flowers more than their beauty? Can they convey a message secrecy? The unassuming bouquet of the white rose, snapdragon, foxglove, lavender, mock orange, maidenhair fern, and geranium symbolize the elements of secrecy—deceit, deception, and distrust. And to some, are more than just another flower in the vase. Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.” Square flexagon structure, relief print, BFK Rives | 6 x .25 x 6 inches | Edition of 11 | Created in 2023 | Photography by artist. White rose (carrier of secrets) | Snapdragon (deception) | Foxglove (deception) | Lavender-(distrust) | Mock orange-(deceit) | Maidenhair fern-(secrecy) | Geranium-deceit ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742919179001-LZ4G4VBMXYLTEU80ADM6/TussieMussie-No1-Lasting-Bond-Debbi-Commodore.jpg Mystery of Nature - Tussie Mussie No. 1 Lasting bond: Joy and friendship This book was inspired from tussie mussie bouquets and draws from the language of flowers. This bouquet consists of dahlias and yellow roses. Flowers have been used as a symbolic means of communication for thousands of years and expands across history, country and culture. During the 19th century interest soured in Victorian England and the United States. But what is it that we are trying to say, and why do we use flowers to try to say it? The intricate system of floral symbolism, florigraphy, in which each flower is assigned a specific meaning was inspired by the Turkish custom of sélam. As Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople (18th century) said, “There is no flower without a verse belonging to it; and it is possible to quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news without even inking your fingers.” Dragon fold structure, reproduction of hand tinted paper cut, 8 x 8 x .1 inch | open edition | 20XX Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742923950719-Y236OLCG8XXFTWF418YT/commodore-1-b.jpg Mystery of Nature - Seductive Promises of Abundance Each winter I am drawn into her inviting pages as they give me permission to dream of what is to come. This piece is inspired by the mark in time each winter—the cold, dark, dormant days when the seed catalogs arrive bringing promise this season will pass and a new one will soon begin filled with hope of abundance. Her dog-eared pages mark a place in time where we dream of what is possible and escape the realities of inexperience, uncertainty, failure and disappointment. We move between remembering past harvests and dreaming. We make our lists, plans, and schedules; we begin to look forward—she teases us with what will be given, celebrating before there is a bounty. Drawn to her lush images, poetic descriptions, and yield promises we ready ourselves, counting the days, waiting. We become like the seed germinating in the soil. The neatly planted rows become overgrown; the simple seed catalog has given permission to dream and perhaps reflect beyond the harvest. This piece is a collection of 12 books housed together in a box,dragon fold structured book, each opens to 20 inches, books are held in an individual envelope structures, box size 8 x 10 x 1 ¾ inches, 8 books: 3 ¾ x 2 x ¾ inches, 4 books: 2 x 14/16 x ¾ inches | Unique | 2015 | Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742924797391-NGAH24OGZ3SXH41D4BK2/Commodore-Top+copy.jpg Mystery of Nature - Neighborhood 4-A (top) One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project that have reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. Paper cut with gouache| 12 x 16 inches| 2015 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742924858262-0YCD9FLOOS9NSSY79K0R/Dahlia-Inspired-a-DCommodore.jpg Mystery of Nature - Dahlia Inspired The book, Dahlia Inspired, contains 20 unique dahlia inspired flowers using 6 relief cuts. I am captivated by flowers—their geometry, color, names and the emotion and memories they can invoke. In this book each flower in in full bloom, with a showy lack of discretion, and have been selected for their color, size and durability. Dahlia Inspired continues the quest for the perfect flower. 8 signatures sewn on cloth with long stich binding, 7 hand colored linoleum relief cut illustrations, Magnami Revere Suede, Stonehinge, Lami li, Canson, linen thread, cloth, board and silk ribbon, printed on a No. 1 Vandercook | 30 pages| 11 9/16 x 10 1/ 8 x 1 1/16 inches |Unique | 2011 | Photograph by artist © Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742924417207-5ORR7MKFRT8EAQ7NJGFI/editedCommodore_1.jpg Mystery of Nature - Garden Dreams Garden dreams is a prelude to Neighborhood 4-A and Neighborhood 4-B. Paper cut hand tinted with gouache | 13 x 5.5 inches | Unique | 2015 http://www.debbicommodore.com/passage-of-time daily 0.75 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925281751-2JIC86YTYDGKIK9LPMVW/Commodore01a.jpg Passage of Time - Take a Moment Beginning pre-pandemic, this piece continues exploring the ordinary spaces of my days and the connection to water as a space of transformation. I designed the work to push the traditional book form and to use the movement of the structure as a symbol of a year. Each time the book is arranged it is uniquely sculpted with hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments and mountains and curves representing life’s grief and celebrations. With the realities of 2020 the piece evolved to hold the views and reactions of Americans to the pandemic in the signatures (Pew Research March 2021 survey). Coptic stitch structure with 366 signatures, assorted one-of-a-kind paste papers, Kozo paper, assorted paper and expired work journal pages | 2 x 2 x 39 inches | 4,392 pages | Unique | 2022 | Photograph by Rachel Watson This book is in the Cynthia Sears’ collection at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum. ©Debbi Commodore https://www.pewresearch.org/2021/03/05/in-their-own-words-americans-describe-the-struggles-and-silver-linings-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925281751-2JIC86YTYDGKIK9LPMVW/Commodore01a.jpg Passage of Time - Take a Moment Beginning pre-pandemic, this piece continues exploring the ordinary spaces of my days and the connection to water as a space of transformation. I designed the work to push the traditional book form and to use the movement of the structure as a symbol of a year. Each time the book is arranged it is uniquely sculpted with hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments and mountains and curves representing life’s grief and celebrations. With the realities of 2020 the piece evolved to hold the views and reactions of Americans to the pandemic in the signatures (Pew Research March 2021 survey). Coptic stitch structure with 366 signatures, assorted one-of-a-kind paste papers, Kozo paper, assorted paper and expired work journal pages | 2 x 2 x 39 inches | 4,392 pages | Unique | 2022 | Photograph by Rachel Watson This book is in the Cynthia Sears’ collection at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum. ©Debbi Commodore https://www.pewresearch.org/2021/03/05/in-their-own-words-americans-describe-the-struggles-and-silver-linings-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742924894883-H0C9GD9BV06Q2GUR6TY8/commodore02a.jpg Passage of Time - 365 What will be revealed in a year? What if the year was shaped like a book that had not been yet been written? And what if this book pushed the traditional book form and could be sculpted with the hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments—mountains and curves of grief and celebrations—what shape would the year take? Would it have many small gentle bends or overlap weaving over itself forming and opening itself to what might come? Coptic stitch structure with 365 signatures, assorted papers and watch parts, 2.25 x 2.25 x 37 inches | Unique | 2016 | Photograph by Chris Tumbusch ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925308558-MAMIQL98V044JHY0DG4J/Commodore02a.jpg Passage of Time - This In the second year of the pandemic my day has new rhythms and routines. In THIS, two anchors move together, intersect, and frequently live in tension—my calendar, with its beauty and practical function, and the morning newspaper with its headlines of pandemic life. The predictability of the calendar and the unpredictable daily headlines weave a repeating rhythm—up and down, down and up through my days of 2021. This Second year Is it different? Unimaginable loss Calendar pages turn Months blend Days blur Heavy headlines Followed by heavier headlines A foggy, dull, numbness is this a real thing? Calendar pages turn Their shots My shots Devastating loss This year. Dragon fold book structure (aka “Burst” fold), 2021 calendar (Nikki McClure) | 3 x 3 x 3 inches | 48 pages | Unique | 2022 | Photographs by Rachel Watson ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925204525-SA5ZJZNNJC7NYAJWKWOV/DSC_6280.JPG Passage of Time - Chronos and Kairos At what points in a year will kairos moments or opportune times, be revealed? What if the chronological year was shaped like a book that had not been yet been written? And what if this book pushed the traditional book form and included markers where Kairos were sculpted along-side the hills and valleys representing life’s joys and disappointments—mountains and curves of grief and celebrations—what shape would the year take? Would it have many small gentle bends or overlap weaving over itself forming and opening itself to what might come? Coptic stitch structure with 365 signatures, assorted one-of-a-kind paste papers | 2.5 x 2 x 39 inches | Unique | 2018 | Photograph by Ross Mulhausen ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925233370-NG7334XCMSQM0EMSLF2N/editedcommodore01a.jpg Passage of Time - Hope The most solid and important things in our lives are ever-changing, either very slowly or quickly. Hope explores the rhythm and pattern of everyday life with the ups and downs of complex uncertainties. Intertwined in the hills and valleys of our journey is anticipation, faith, desire—hope. With its fragility, power and promise hope has the ability to beckon us, moving us further along in our journey. Accordion flutter book housed in paper sleeve, Japanese paper, thread, book cloth, silk ribbon | 2.5 x 4.25 x .75 inches (opens to 28 inches) | 64 pages | Unique | 2013 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925051227-AYO2ENCJYAP5JL04YJY7/D+Commodore+1948+Fall+image+3+copy.JPG Passage of Time - 1948-Fall 1948-Fall uniquely chronicles my grandparent’s lives for three months through their counter checks (bank checks and their bank statement). Counter checks were commonplace at the stores much the way the credit/debt processing machine is now found at the register. Nearly ten years ago, as I held the stapled bundle of counter checks and thumbed through recognizing store names I traveled back to lazy afternoons sipping ice-tea or soda pop in the backyard under the shade tree with my grandfather recounting a lifetime of stories. I have vivid memories of shopping with him and his response “national” when asked which bank counter check he wanted (there were only two choices). I can’t help but to pause in reflection to a simpler time without “usernames” and “passwords”. My fingers run across these canceled checks and I notice the absence of an account number—the bank processed his checks base on recognizing his signature. The journey of this project was first overcoming the intimidation of changing the way the checks were bundled for over 60 years and transforming them to a story format that honors the people my grandparents were in a time and place much different than today. I was drawn to the pattern of his signature on the bottom of the page, the familiarity of his handwriting and the resurfacing of familiar businesses names. I found this intimate process a returning home for a visit and finding everything was just as sweet as you remembered. 11 (5 sheet) signatures and fold-out bank summary statement sewn on tapes with exposed spine, materials include Missouri walnut wood cover, counter checks, wool thread, linen thread, and linen tape | 224 pages | 4 ¾ x 3 5/8 x 1 3/16 inches | Unique | 2012 | Photograph by artist ©Debbi Commodore http://www.debbicommodore.com/place-making daily 0.75 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925685426-8W8AUD6PGHKAFGV4Q7KI/IMG_1395.jpeg Place Making - Neighborhood Tapestry Like a tapestry we are woven together in community. Accordion structure, mono print, BFK Rives, thread; xx inches (opens to X inches) | x pages | Varied edition of 5 | 2024 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925685426-8W8AUD6PGHKAFGV4Q7KI/IMG_1395.jpeg Place Making - Neighborhood Tapestry Like a tapestry we are woven together in community. Accordion structure, mono print, BFK Rives, thread; xx inches (opens to X inches) | x pages | Varied edition of 5 | 2024 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742919696277-SSVRTG5TDLGU0WRSY8EW/1_Neighborhood_No1.jpg Place Making - Neighborhood No. 1 Neighborhood No. 1 begins what has developed into a study of the beauty of cities. Cities are often described as fast-paced, overwhelmed with despair, consumed with social problems where concern and care for one another is rare. Within cities are dynamic and unique neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Through the weaving of this social fabric that connects people to where they live the vitality and well-being of a city is impacted. Our relationships in neighborhoods have the potential to bring hope to our cities. Relief print, hand tinted | 12 x 8 inches | Edition of x | 2013 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742919723876-XTU8K7IEP17JL8A3LQ5Q/2_Neighborhood_No1.jpg Place Making - Neighborhood No. 1 Neighborhood No. 1 begins what has developed into a study of the beauty of cities. Cities are often described as fast-paced, overwhelmed with despair, consumed with social problems where concern and care for one another is rare. Within cities are dynamic and unique neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Through the weaving of this social fabric that connects people to where they live the vitality and well-being of a city is impacted. Our relationships in neighborhoods have the potential to bring hope to our cities. Flutter-style accordion structure, sSonehinge, book cloth, watercolor, fine art papers and linocut relief print | 4.5 x 4.25 x .75 inches (opens to 12 inches) | 3 pages | Unique | 2013 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742919744681-AX5GJ5NQ1OAGPBDMJYXL/4_Neighborhood_No3.jpg Place Making - Neighborhood No 3 Cities are often described as fast-paced, overwhelmed with despair, consumed with social problems where concern and care for one another is rare. Within cities are dynamic and unique neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are the places where the everyday practice of life occurs. I was inspired by the simple act of relationships in our neighborhoods building stronger and healthier cities. Through the weaving of this social fabric that connects people to where they live the vitality and well-being of a city is impacted. Our relationships in neighborhoods have the potential to bring hope to our cities. Flag book structure, original linocut relief print, Magnani Revere, hand colored with gouache | 4.5 x 4.5 x .75 inches (opens to 13 inches)| 5 pages | Unique | 2014 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925866356-F9PK7QGJSDN7A8GM619K/01_Commodore.jpg Place Making - Neighborhood 4-A One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project that have reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. Paper cut with gouache| 12 x 16 inches| 2015 ©Debbi Commodore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925876984-WX9HAK0PW12VL40GTXSM/10_Commodore.jpg Place Making - Neighborhood 4-B One of three hand-tinted paper cuts created as a part of Tacoma’s Traffic Box Wrap Project that have reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. This project is an extension of the Tacoma Murals Project, which has created 27 murals across Tacoma since 2010 in an effort to strategically revitalize and beautify the city. Paper cut with gouache| 12 x 16 inches| 2015 ©Debbi Commodore http://www.debbicommodore.com/collaboration daily 0.75 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925953860-7SHG5NM4XMECH37N5YSA/Commodore01a.jpg Collaboration - Meeting the Alchemist (artist version) Along with six other artists “Meeting the Alchemist” was created. We combined our unique backgrounds, experiences, and talents with our passion for words, images, and curiosity. “Meeting the Alchemist” was inspired by our exploration of creating mono prints which have been used in this varied edition of 8. Using a few agreed upon elements each artist created one book and contributed to the one shared version. The lessons learned in the story represent the real-life experience of the seven of us working together. Just like the spirits of this story evolved so did each of us. This book was created by Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore The artists in this collaborative varied edition Sally Alger, Abbie Birmingham, Debbi Commodore, Dorothy McCuistion, Diane Miller, Jan Ward and Jessie Wing. Single sheet maze structure on BFK Rives, assortment of mono prints layered with a beads, and woven paper; hard cover with book cloth and beads | 8 x 6 x2.5 inches | 30 pages | Varied edition of 8 | 2023 |Photograph by artist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742925953860-7SHG5NM4XMECH37N5YSA/Commodore01a.jpg Collaboration - Meeting the Alchemist (artist version) Along with six other artists “Meeting the Alchemist” was created. We combined our unique backgrounds, experiences, and talents with our passion for words, images, and curiosity. “Meeting the Alchemist” was inspired by our exploration of creating mono prints which have been used in this varied edition of 8. Using a few agreed upon elements each artist created one book and contributed to the one shared version. The lessons learned in the story represent the real-life experience of the seven of us working together. Just like the spirits of this story evolved so did each of us. This book was created by Debbi Commodore ©Debbi Commodore The artists in this collaborative varied edition Sally Alger, Abbie Birmingham, Debbi Commodore, Dorothy McCuistion, Diane Miller, Jan Ward and Jessie Wing. Single sheet maze structure on BFK Rives, assortment of mono prints layered with a beads, and woven paper; hard cover with book cloth and beads | 8 x 6 x2.5 inches | 30 pages | Varied edition of 8 | 2023 |Photograph by artist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/563053dbe4b03e9e3d6d12e3/1742926133606-38W8A564SFJGIGZ97D18/IMG_9420+copy.jpg Collaboration - Meeting the Alchemist (Collaborative version) A collaboration of artists—Sally Alger, Abbie Birmingham, Debbi Commodore, Dorothy McCuistion, Diane Miller, Jan Ward and Jessie Wing—created “Meeting the Alchemist.” We came together in early 2021 for “The Art of Weaving Words and Images,” a PSBA sponsored workshop. Our backgrounds and experiences differ greatly but our passion for words and images is our common ground. Our joint interest continued with a monthly meeting to share our work, and to teach and support each other. “Meeting the Alchemist” was inspired by our diving into colors together creating mono prints. The lessons learned in the story represent the real life experience of the seven of us working together. We saw our collaboration as built on Trust, Playfulness, Harmony, Problem Solving and yes, Crayola. Just like the spirit of this story evolved so did each of us. We met an opportunity for growth and jumped right in. Who would have thought bonobos would be our teachers? 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