Artist of the Month for May is....

Our Artist of the Month, Karen Leeb.

Karen has a light touch with colored pencils.

"Box"  watercolor by Karen Leeb.

Karen likes to draw roses.

Karen created this work on the computer using her own drawing techniques.

For the month of May, Hope University student Karen Leeb was chosen as the 'Artist of the Month'.
Karen's art is gentle, colorful and vibrant.  She uses a soft hand with the colored pencils and becomes more bold with other mediums such as watercolor and computer art.  Karen takes art classes and enjoys working with most mediums, as you can see in her work she enjoys repeating pattern.
"I feel pretty good when I do art." is what Karen says about creating her work.
Other students also like to look at Karen's artwork;
"She is very creative."  Lori Slikker.
"They are beautiful." Kris W.
"She has talent." Margaret Kelly.
We all think Karen makes lovely artwork and we hope she continues to make more.

Cardboard Becomes A Stadium

The back of the 'Stadium'.

Darren showing us the baseball.

Where the motor will go for the players.

A proud artist posing with his 'in progress' sculpture.

In Darren Petersen's hands cardboard can become many things.  Cardboard is his medium of choice and with his imagination and dreams it becomes amazing things.  Darren, a student at Hope University, enjoys imagining what his sculptures could do if they were real.  He has created cardboard sculptures of objects such as boats, street sweepers, airplanes and even a helicopter.  This sculpture is of Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.  Darren dreams of sitting in stands as he sculpts, he pictures the players on the field and the ball soaring into the outfield with cheers for a home run coming from the crowds.  There are plans to install a motor, lights and a fan to blow 'fireworks' just like at the game.   Fred Mezzo, a fellow Hope University, student has been assisting Darren in this sculpture.  Fred has been working on the people that will populate the completed piece.
"It helps to have someone else work with me on a project because things get done a lot faster." Darren explained about Fred.
"I am just glad to have help, I can really use it."  He adds.
We are all excited to see how the 'Stadium'  turns out.  Both Darren and Fred are very enthusiastic about this collaborative sculptural project.

Product Parade

White felt trees with buttons, sewn by Ana P. and Christie C.

Green felt and circle trees, sewn by Carol R., Ana P. and Cindy H.

Sea horse drawn by Tanette T., sewn by Cindy H.

Potato Man, drawn by Patty M. and sewn by Cindy H.

Hand knitted pin cushion, pen/pencil holder, knitted by Cindy H.

Hand knitted/felted purse, knitted by Lori S.

Felt fun food sewn by Cindy H.

Hand knitted/felted purse, knitted by Lori S.

Hand knitted/felted purse, knitted by Cindy H.

The Hope University students have been hard at work all year producing product for sale at our annual Holiday Program.  Along with classes in art, music, computer, dance, math, reading and geography they also make lovely items to raise money for the school.  Here you see several new items added this year by our amazing and talented students.  The staff at Hope University strives to cultivate and inspire their clients and help bring out their talents and abilities for all to see, appreciate and share.
"Oh the things you can think up if only you try!" Dr. Seuss.
The Hope University Holiday Program will be on December 13th, Tuesday evening at the Plummer Auditorium located at 201 E. Chapman Ave. Fullerton California. 
For more information about the Holiday Program, tickets or the products  Hope University produces you can call us at (714)778-4440 or visit our website at www.hopeu.com.

Medium Diversity

Hope University's curriculum is art centered.  We offer many different ways to learn with and through the arts.  We offer several music classes, poetry and writing along with visual arts such as drawing, painting, printmaking and fiber art.
Some of the students favorites are:
"I like to do mosaics and sculpture."  Fred M.
"Using the knitting loom." Ana P.
"Designing products for us to make and sell in our Boutique." Margaret K.
"Drawing and carving linoleum block prints."  Tanette T.
"Knitting and creating things with yarn, like purses and products for our Boutique." Lori Slikker.
"Performing on stage, doing drama and learning how to play the drums. " Chris F.

Darren in the cabin of his helicopter sculpture.

The helicopter sculpture.

Darren explaining how things work in his interactive helicopter sculpture

Here we have some photos of  Hope U student, Darren P.  He is showing us his large sculpture of a helicopter.  Darren's favorite medium is cardboard and masking tape.  He creates his large sculptures over a wooden frame and includes electronics.  He likes to do the wiring and circuits so he can see things light up and move.  Darren has created many sculptures, one being the 'Robot' which we use in the 'Beau Monde Float' performances.  Darren's abilities are explored here at Hope U. with visual art as well as the written word.  He has written several poems, including 'Cleaning up the Drive-Thru at Taco Bell' featured in the 'Very Special Arts' exhibition and the CORE 6 show.