Sleepy Hollow Artists Showcased in New Chino Hills Art Gallery

Following on the heels of the recent Sleepy Hollow centennial celebration, in which art from neighborhood residents Hillary Miller and Lena Sekine, as well as the late Vic (Joachim) Smith, were shared to show the diversity of the history of Chino Hills' oldest neighborhood, the recognition of the trio continued at the opening this past Wednesday evening of the new art gallery developed by the Chino Hills Community Foundation.

That organization, which does so much great work in raising and distributing funds for all kinds of projects to benefit the city, has a chARTS, or Chino Hills Arts Committee, established a decade ago, which "works to create an enriching environment for culture and the arts . . . through events, workshops and other activities.

In addition to presentations by authors, theatrical productions, art shows and others, including quarterly art installations at the Chino Hills Community Center, the committee and foundation launched the art gallery initiative.  A site was provided at the Shoppes center at the southeast corner of Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive, but another and larger one became available.

Some three dozen artists were represented, some professional but most so-called "amateurs" and a few who'd never publicly exhibited their work.  One created some remarkable wood-carved pieces, including a Craftsman-style lamp with stained glass and the oak tree that is the city logo, while others contributed amazing quilts—these are just a couple of examples of the many types of works displayed at the gallery.

Then, there was a corner the featured our Sleepy Hollow artists, including a couple of pieces each by Hillary and Vic/Joachim (sadly, almost all of the works he created were destroyed in a 1990 Carbon Canyon fire that consumed a storage unit where he kept his pieces), as well as Lena's design for the community centennial.

It was certainly great to see the community represented at the opening and in the gallery, which will be opened on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., during the Heritage Farmers Market held at the center, and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m.  Kudos to the Chino Hills Arts Committee and the Chino Hills Community Foundation for putting all the effort, money and time into the gallery and for sharing the work of these Sleepy Hollow artists. 

Lena Sekine Artwork at Carbon Canyon Coffee Company in Olinda Village!

For those thinking of going to tomorrow's official grand opening, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., of the Carbon Canyon Coffee Company in the Olinda Village shopping center or will drop in on another day after that, please take a moment to enjoy and appreciate the artistry of my neighbor Lena Sekine.

Lena, who does design work for Japanese restaurants as her main job, has graced our Sleepy Hollow neighborhood in several locations with amazing murals and other works, including her own house and that of some of our residents.

She has been spending a good deal of time creating beautiful works at the CCCC, but has included her customized cushions for seating, in addition to murals and other decorative touches.  Obviously, these have to be seen in person and up close to truly be appreciated, but the photos here given at least some idea and, hopefully, spur some interest in checking them out personally.

As to the CCCC, let's hope there's a good turnout for tomorrow's grand opening and that it will gain more regular patrons and customers.  The friendly staff, excellent coffee and other offerings, Lena's artistic touches and a relaxing location in the Canyon bode well!

Carbon Canyon Residents in the News

In the last two editions of the Chino Valley Champion, a trio of Carbon Canyon residents have been highlighted for their varied activities and contributions to our area.

In the issue of the 15th, the paper ran an article reporting that the 2020 winners of the Fred L. Burns Community Service Award for their work in furthering the aims of the Chino Valley Fire District in community service and public safety are Charles Blank and Peter Pirritano.

Blank, who has been the chairperson of the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council for ten years, "has been instrumental in preventing and minimizing the devastating effects of wildland fires through the bi-annual brush removal program that eradicates up to three tons of dead brush per session."  He coordinates these important activities with the City of Chino Hills and Republic Services/Chino Hills Disposal and oversees Fire Safe Council volunteers for the sessions.

The mural by artist Lena Sekine on the Sleepy Hollow residence of Jeff and Rosemary Kilby.  Photos by Lena.

The article added that Blank oversees the organization of Wildfire Awareness Fairs held by the Council, as well as the removal of invasive plants in Carbon [Canyon] Creek and the creek running eastward through the Summit Ranch neighborhood where he lives and he was critical in getting Carbon Canyon designated as a FireWise community.

Pirritano was heralded for giving "his time to attend donation and training events, where he speaks with community members and the business community about his dedication to help fund public access medical equipment," specifically AED (Automated External Defibrillators) and trauma kits.  These important life-saving materials have been installed for free, thanks to Pirritano's support, at schools and businesses and with community groups in Chino and Chino Hills.

Not mentioned is that Pirritano, who lives in the Carriage Hills community where he is very active with the homeowners' association, is also a member of the Fire Safe Council, and has contributed much of his time and given financial contributions so that it can continue its important work.

Past winners of the award, given out since 1993, include Sarah Evinger, longtime fire board and Fire Safe Council member, who was recognized in 2005 and Ron Nadeau, a fixture of decades in Sleepy Hollow and also a longtime Fire Safe Council member, who was honored in 2015.

Finally, yesterday's Champion ran a feature about my amazingly talented next-door neighbor, artist Lena Sekine, and her mural for the home of fellow Sleepy Hollow residents Jeff and Rosemary Kilby.  Lena, who has painted murals at her house and a few others in the community and whose job is interior decoration specializing in restaurant decor, painted a mandala with a peace sign at its center (the latter being the Kilbys' only requirement—otherwise Lena used her considerable imaginative abilities for the rest.)  The artwork involves many overt and covert symbols and meanings reflective of the family and broader concepts.

Jeff Kilby told Marianne Napoles of the Champion that the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially hard because they work in the health-care industry and witness much of the devastation first-hand, have severely limited contact with their neighbors and community, which they value so much.  So, afterreaching out to Lena and getting approval from their neighbors and having the mural painted on the side of their house, he and Rosemary now have something beautiful and healing for them during this particularly problematic period and beyond.

One of the very best attributes of Sleepy Hollow is the strong sense of community built here thanks to people like Jeff, Rosemary and Lena.  Similarly, one of the most important elements of community in Carbon Canyon broadly is embodied in the volunteer work and financial support provided to the Fire Safe Council and Chino Valley Fire District by Charlie and Peter.

In these troubled times, with so many trials and tribulations, it is not often enough pointed out just how much goodness there is out there and this trio of amazing Canyon residents embody that in their varied contributions.

Canyon Pride Mural Completed in Sleepy Hollow

My very talented neighbor, artist Lena Sekine, has just completed another visual masterpiece of a mural in our off-beat (but on-track) little neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow.

She worked her magic on a long wall facing Carbon Canyon Road on the north side of the state highway and on the west end of the neighborhood. 

So, as you're heading out towards Brea and Orange County, it'll be on your right, while those heading east into Chino Hills and San Bernardino County, will see it on your left.

Actually, how can anyone miss this vibrant, colorful and compelling work of mural art?  Thanks, Lena, for providing another great example of visual beauty in our community and for the homeowners for commissioning her to do her thing!

You can see more of Lena's mural on her Instagram page.

Sleepy Hollow Artist: Hillary Miller (Plus Special Guest Kelly Tuggle and Zen Aardvark)

One of the many great aspects about living in Carbon Canyon and in the Sleepy Hollow community in particular is the tremendous variety of people who live here.

For many, the special attributes of the canyon are deeply meaningful and this is represented by the many artists who not only reside in the area, but are inspired by and responsive to our canyon.

Another Sleepy Hollow neighbor who expresses this sense of meaning in Carbon Canyon in her work is artist Hillary Miller.  She and her husband Dave, a mechanical engineering professor at Cal Poly Pomona, have lived in Sleepy Hollow for some thirty years and raised their two sons here.

Hillary studied at Cal State Fullerton, where she received her bachelor's degree in art, with emphases in drawing, painting and illustration. in 1984, followed four years later with her master's in drawing and painting.

Most of her work has been in oil, watercolor and pastel, though for the last fifteen years or so she has taken up silk painting, specifically with shawls, banners, scarves and tallitot, the latter being Jewish prayer scarves.

In addition to the tallitot, Hillary's expressions in Judaica include the ketubot, the Jewish marriage contract, and she indicates that her main works also include "landscapes, still lifes, the occasional portrait."

At the Miller home, Hillary has a remarkable studio that she and her husband added to their home, within several years of buying their beautiful property.  She not only works in the media mentioned above, but also has teamed up with her next-door neighbor,  Kelly Tuggle, who does her own work as well, in a cooperative venture they call Zen Aardvark.

Painting and decoration on furniture and found objects, home and garden pieces jewelry and other works are part of the Zen Aardvark enterprise and include many whimsical and remarkable productions described as "colorful, playful, earthy, zen-like."

A couple of weeks ago, Hillary hosted an Open Studio Holiday Sale to showcase her works, as well as those by Kelly and by the pair as Zen Aardvark.

It was not only a chance to view some remarkable works of art, but to purchase some as holiday gifts (to others as well as to self!), enjoy time chatting with Hillary and Kelly, not to mention friends and neighbors, and to see the studio.

The photos here show some of what was displayed and available--except the last image, which was an impromptu drawing that day by her father!

For more on Hillary and Zan Aardvark, check out Hillary's blog here and the Zen Aardvark Facebook page here.

Sleepy Hollow Artist's New Mural

Click on any photo to see them in enlarged view in a separate window.

Lena Sekine, a Sleepy Hollow-based artist and a neighbor, has just completed a large outdoor mural for a neighbor on Rosemary Lane that spans the back wall of the house next door, and is a gorgeous and colorful evocation of natural elements enjoyed by the patron who commissioned it.

The photos included here, taken this morning, show the mural and its elements of waves (the woman who requested the artwork is an avid surfer), sun, and mountains, as well as the community name.

Lena has also decorated portions of the landscape around her own house with similar design elements and her work is helping to beautify the neighborhood.

Having her, Hillary Miller (who was profiled here recently for her art exhibit still showing at the Chino Hills Community Center), and other artists in Sleepy Hollow helps make it the vibrant and unique place it has been for nearly a century.

For more information on Lena and her art, please click here for her blog; here for her Etsy shop featuring interesting and artistic jewelry; here for her Pinterest page; and here for her Instagram page.

Sleepy Hollow Artist Exhibits at Chino Hills Community Center

A wall in the Chino Hills Community Center displays a half-dozen paintings by Sleepy Hollow-based artist Hillary Miller and the showing will continue through April.

Since its opening, the Chino Hills Community Center has had displays of artwork from local artists on the walls in the hallway next to the multipurpose room, sponsored by chARTS, a committee of the Chino Hills Community Foundation that has also staged theatrical presentations and musical performances.

Through April, the current exhibit includes the work of three Chino Hills artists, including Hillary Miller, a neighbor here in Sleepy Hollow.  Hillary, who works in oil, pastel, watercolor, and, more recently, silk, and also paints murals and does ceramics, has several beautiful paintings in her exhibit.

A detail of a brightly-colored and highly-expressive still life by Hillary Miller of Sleepy Hollow, titled "Artichokes in the Garden" is a fanciful rendering of a plant from the artist's garden.

While much of her art consists of portraits, still lifes and Judaica, a favorite is the landscape in Carbon Canyon, which is well represented in the display.  The depictions range widely in terms of their emotive characteristics, with some heavily symbolic and more abstract and others more realistic and true-to-life.

This watercolor, called "Misty Canyon" is reflective of the landscape in and around Carbon Canyon.

Hillary began her career as a working artist some thirty-five years ago and she has a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and a master's in drawing and painting.  This year marks her thirtieth as an exhibitor of her work and she has taught at local colleges as well as at her Sleepy Hollow studio.

For more information, please check out her Web site and blog here.

The chARTS page on the City of Chino Hills Web site can be found here.

And, the Web site of the Chino Hills Community Foundation may be accessed here.

"Carbon Canyon Summer II" is a beautiful pastel with rich colors and strong contrasts, evoking the diverse beauty of Carbon Canyon.

There are other artists in the Carbon Canyon area and a post coming soon will showcase a striking mural by another Sleepy Hollow artist, so look for that in a short while.