HMC 1st Women’s Showcase
Platt Living Room
March 27th, 2008

Thank you to all who participated in making our 1st Women's Showcase such a success.  We had a great variety of talent on display!

Lots of Quilts submitted by Karen Angemi, President's Office Staff

Quilting is my self-taught hobby.  My corners may not always be perfect but I enjoy making quilts.  My husband bought me my first sewing machine when I was pregnant with my third child in 2001.  He thought it was a great idea because I could make all the baby’s clothes.  So after staring at the box for almost 3 months, I decided to give it a try and take this strange machine out of the box and figure out what I was supposed to do with it.  Needless to say, I have never made anything to wear for anyone but I have made curtains and quilts.

Henna Art submitted by Tracy Backes, Student '08 

I've always thought that the art of mehendi is beautiful, so while I was studying in India in Fall '06 I jumped at the chance to learn how to apply henna. I took weekly lessons from a local college student who professionally applies henna and teaches courses on the side. She (and her whole family!) were amazing artists and it was a really great experience to see her at work. I like to think that I mastered most of the lessons she shared, and I started doing henna all of the time. I practiced on myself and my fellow students in my study abroad program whenever I had the chance, and often doodled designs during our classes. Unfortunately, I've had less free time to spend on mehendi now that I'm back at Mudd but I try to apply some henna at least a few times each semester (and my sister always has me apply designs when I come home!)

My favorite patterns are all bridal designs... the more intricate the better! I'm especially fond of designs with swans and peacocks, because I really like the swooping necks and curved beaks. Unfortunately these designs take a long time to apply, so I should probably apply some simpler designs now and then as well. Besides the artistry inherent in henna designs, I am also drawn to several other aspects of the art. I love the deep color of freshly applied henna as well as the slow change of color over time. I love the smell of henna and how it lingers for days after application. I also like the fact that henna application is a rich tradition that has been practiced for centuries. And of course, I always loved imagining what celebrations women had just been to whenever I glimpsed hennaed hands and feet during my travels in India.

Quilt & Stained Glass submitted by Liz Baughman, College Advancement Staff 

Landscape Photography submitted by Micki Brose, Development Staff

My hobbies are travel and photography. I particularly like to capture images that will always remind me of the wonderful places I have visited. These photos that I brought today are representative of some of the places I have been fortunate enough to have visited on my travels. The images speak for themselves.

Photoshop Art submitted by Kristen Chellis, Student '08 

I first got interested in photoshop my senior year of high school when I took a graphic design class. I have really only dabbled in using photoshop and it is recently in the digital photo class that I am taking now that I have really gotten into doing art with it.

Black & White/Landscape Photography submitted by Nancy Chudy, Business Affairs Staff 

Photography has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.  My father was always taking beautiful pictures everywhere we went.  He instilled in me the love of photography and the pride I get from taking a wonderful picture.  Although he had been teaching me since I was a child, my first formal class in photography was in college (1998).  The black and white photos that are framed are from that class.  The pictures in the book are of my three nephews, my trips to New York, Australia, San Diego, Calvin Crest Conferences and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I hope you enjoy them!

Inspirational Words submitted by Laura Clark, Business Affairs Staff 

Spirituality: A Journey from Here to Eternity

I have many roles in my life – wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, co-worker, and friend – but most of all I see myself as a daughter of God. 

I have been blessed in so many ways throughout my life, with a loving family (not perfect – but loving) and wonderful friends. I became interested in spirituality when my husband, Ed, was contemplating his vocation to the Diaconate. This was God’s call to him to service to the community – but in a way it is my call also – to let go of myself and to share my husband, my family, and my life with the larger church and world.   

The Diaconate formation program and ultimately Ed’s ordination were challenging and so fulfilling. We explored our own personal faith, we learned more about God, church and spirituality. We took the time to discern what God was calling us to – to live out the Good News of God’s Love.   

Towards the end of the formation process, I realized that this journey of life takes its own twist and turns on the road to eternity – we do not see where the road is always going – yet onward, we walk, trusting that with God’s guidance and love we will ultimately be in the eternal embrace of our Creator. 

I believe that I am now being called to further service by entering into a program that will lead to a certificate in Spiritual Direction, through which I am learning more about listening and following God’s call to live in close relationship with Him and others.  Through this knowledge and experience, I hope to help others to pursue and develop their own spiritual journey.

Passion for Horses submitted by Elaine Guerra, Biology Staff

Horses have been my passion since I was 5 years old. It was at 5 years old that I learned to read and found out that Jane got her first pony.  I wanted a pony.  Everybody in my family knew I wanted a pony.  My brother bought me my first pair of spurs as a youngster and my sister helped me search the newspaper ads for a horse to buy.  Deep down I knew my parents weren't going to buy me a horse but my dream of owning one never wavered. When I met my husband Daniel our first conversation was about horses. We became best friends. To my surprise, when we got married, he promised me that he would get me a horse.  I truly thought my dream of owning my own horse would remain just that, a dream.  My dream is not only my reality, it is in my backyard!  And his name is Amigo.  By the way, Amigo is pony size at 14.1 hands, legal height for a pony (minus the attitude).

Water Color Paintings submitted by Maria Klawe, HMC President

Dance Performance by Janet Komatsu (HMC '09), Meg Mason (HMC '08), Jillian Gramling (Scripps '10) and Erika Andraca (CMC '08).
(Sorry, no picture available.)

Video & Jewelry submitted by Trang Pham, Student '08 

I started making videos about junior year of high school, but I never seriously pursued it until college. I switched my major to Media Studies and mainly focus on digital/electronic media, although I do work a bit with 16mm film. I think my favorite part of video is to manipulate still images into a video, so I like to do the frame-by-frame work. I'm interested in stop-motion animation and am currently trying to learn more animation. This is the link to some of my videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=tweetwang; some are pretty old works.

On the side, I also make jewelry as a hobby. I do have a few to showcase. I also do cardmaking, but those were all given away.

Singing Performance by Aurora Pribram-Jones, Student '09
Accompanied by Sam Gordon, Student. (Sorry, picture not available)

Flower Vases submitted by Maggie Plunkett, Business Affairs Staff 

Diggin' in the Dirt 

I have always had a passion for living, growing things. I remember, as a small child, helping my father as he planted a beautiful vegetable garden. I would water each seedling carefully with a big galvanized metal watering can. The tasty tomatoes, bell peppers and yellow corn were a fine reward for the work. Zucchini and cucumbers grew long tendrils all around the border of the bed with the produce hiding beneath the big leaves.

Green plants have been a constant accessory to every room's décor in my home. Once I had a place to grow things outdoors, my garden became a source of joy, happiness and accomplishment. Tiny parsley seeds grew into bushes! Snap peas were so sweet! Tomatoes were pruned to enjoy for a second year! Once the little animals discovered the fruits and vegetables, the challenge was on to see who enjoyed the bounty first. I came in second in that challenge.

Trying my hand at flowers seemed a natural thing to do. I purposely planted rose bushes. I have over a dozen bushes of fragrant tea roses, florabundas and long stemmed beauties. White, red, pink, yellow, peach, sterling lavender, and burgundy blooms grace the edge of the flower beds. There are also flowering bulbs to enjoy in spring and summer. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and iris pop up as the spring flowers bloom with fragrance. The summer brings giant zinnias and ranunculus in yellows and purples. The butterflies love the blue tones. Daylilies and bird of paradise have found a home in the front yard planters.

Any time I receive potted flowers as a gift, I extend their beauty by planting them in the flower beds to see what will happen. A vibrant red and green poinsettia plant is growing into a lovely bush. Gerbera daisies, many colors of mums, and mini roses have found a home in the flower beds. Along with the beautiful blooms come singing birds, tiny hummingbirds, and butterflies. Each day I find some type of bloom to bring to the office and place on my desk in order to share the wonder and the beauty of nature. It is such a pleasure to enjoy the colorful bounty that gardening brings to my life.

Scrapbooking submitted by Kimberly Rogers, Human Resources Staff

Why I Scrapbook

At the age of 11, I left New York and came to California with just the clothes on my back. Only a handful of pictures from my childhood are now in my possession. Everyone has a story and I have always felt that chapters in my life were missing.

I started scrapbooking eight years ago when my first child was born and since that time I have completed over 14 albums. My son and daughter have one album for each year of their lives. Scrapbooking is more than a hobby to me. It's my way of ensuring that their story lives on beyond me. It's easy to remember the significant moments in life so I try to capture the seemingly insignificant moments too like siblings walking hand in hand at the park or feeding ducks. I try to include pictures and journaling in each album of moments that may seem trivial but that to a mother are the essence of what it means to live, love and be human. I know that someday when I am not here to narrate the story of my children's lives the albums I have created for them will.

Glass Art submitted by Susan Selhorst, Computing and Info Services Staff

My hobby is working with glass.  I started with traditional stained glass pieces over twenty years ago but lost interest after a while.  Then 5 or 6 years ago I got interested again and made some art-glass stepping stones and other pieces.   A few years ago, I started playing with "warm glass" — heating glass in a kiln to fuse it with other glass or slump it into a mold.  Now I make plates, bowls, vases, and jewelry in addition to traditional stained glass items.

Basket of Peaches Cake submitted by Dawn Spencer, HSS Staff

I started decorating in 1996; my first cake was my 11th Wedding Anniversary cake. It was such a hit I was taking orders at my party. Hence I started decorating part-time, naming my business Sweet Nothings. My husband and I now work on projects together; he usually does the art and I do the rest. Over the years we have created many unique and fun designs.

I have created a basket of peaches. The flavor of the basket is called celebration cake and I chose a cream cheese filing. The peaches are actually peach flavored, the stems and leaves were formed with Fondant and the basket handle is styrofoam; everything is edible except the cake board.

Ceramics submitted by Natt Supab, Student '08

I have always enjoyed various forms of arts and craft, but I'd never had formal instruction.  This semester, I seized the opportunity to take two studio art classes: 'Beginning Black and White Photography' and 'Beginning Ceramic Sculpture'.  These pieces are from the latter course, which centers on hand-building with low-fire clay.  It's a random assortment because they are my interpretations of the assigned projects: a hollow ball made of two pinch pots, a box, and a coil pot.  My latest piece, a life-sized bust of the Greek god Mercury, has not been fired and is too fragile to move, so I've shown photos of the two-month-long project.  I've found sculpting to be very time-consuming, but therapeutic and conducive to creativity.  I'd highly recommend it as a hobby.

Jellyfish Water Color Painting & Hummingbird Stained Glass submitted by Karen Taggart, Development Staff

Stained Glass

I made this as a gift for my mom - she loved hummingbirds.  I took a class at Pomona while a student at HMC in independent art and did another stained glass window.  I wish I had more time to devote to this but I have been busy with ceramics instead.

Water Color

I love jellyfish and did this after visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I took several classes at Ventura College in Watercolors and even got to take a class from Robert E. Wood.

Quilt & Paintings submitted by Megan Van Ness, Student '09

I’ve been sketching ever since I can remember; it’s always been my way of relieving stress and expressing my emotions. When I started middle school I took a painting class and now painting is my favorite form of artwork. None of my paintings really have any rhyme or reason: I simply paint what I feel like at the moment; many times allusions to dreams I recently had. I also quilt and sculpt pottery; however, both of these hobbies are rather recent and simply provide me with another medium to continue the work I’ve been doing since I was little.

Appetizer & Cookies submitted by Patricia Wang, Student Accounts Staff 

"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” -- Julia Child. I didn't wait as long as Julia Child, but it wasn't until I got out of my mom's kitchen and into my own that I started cooking.  The first cookbook I bought was Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen.  Since eating has always been a passion, cooking became a necessary hobby.  The best compliment I've ever gotten about my cooking was from my eight-year-old daughter.  When asked what her favorite food was, she replied, "anything homemade." 

I adore aubergines but my daughter doesn't.  She'll eat Caponata though, a Sicilian sweet and tart eggplant relish with assorted veggies.  Cookies are another favorite.  I've brought two types:  chocolate mint and ginger.  Bon appétit!