Janice M. Chau

I have spent a much of my time in the last 2 years teaching and hanging out with ESCALADE youth group down in Fullerton, CA at Kaleo Christian Fellowship.  I've been on a break since early September, and was wondering what I could do with MY TIME TO MYSELF.  I didn't think that that would involve mentoring at a military based school called Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy and   The 24 Foundation . (FB Fan Page:  http://www.facebook.com/24foundation ) I went into this mentoring program with 2 other friends as my accountability and support like a strong woven rope, we committed to 4 weeks of mentoring together.  The mission of The 24 Foundation is Creativity as the Catalyst for Healing the Soul.  Once or twice a year in  ESCALADE, we would exercise art therapy.  At least once a season or less.  BUT here with The 24 Foundation we are working with teens who are exploring, improving, and challenging their lives into a new ...

I've been working on origami ornaments for Samson and Jodi's wedding. There is no particular theme for their wedding, but they are Chinese American, have been living in China for the last 4 years, and got to know each other over several Chinese holidays, as well as flying kits in the park.  They will also eventually move back to China.  So paper kits and lanterns seemed appropriate as they are going to be soaring high as a newly weds. One thing that is special about this couple is that they met in Thailand (the land of smiles), and they both have been immersed into several different cultures such as:  Hawaiian, Japanese, Mexican, Texan, Californian, The South, Thai, and of course Chinese.  Within all these cultures the use of color, paper, print, and quality time have shaped much of their character. Their wedding colors are grey, pink, and purples.  But I figured, that splashes of other colors wouldn't hurt.  Here is just a sneak peak of what...

At the end of last year I was asked to do murals and vignettes for a the employee hallway at a hotel in Huntington Beach.  Here is a pique through the keyhole of the final product. * updates of the bigger picture sooner than later. Breaker's HB Woodie HB Woodie Sunset Surfer Orange Goves

For the past 3 years I have been able to participate the the Urban Ocean Festival @ the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  The festival invites the community to learn and be educated about the conservation of our ocean.  Many non-profit organizations come out to create awareness of how we can keep our ocean clean through sustainability, and others teach us about the ocean, fishing, and pollution.   I was working as a master artist in partnership with the Aquarium of the Pacific and Art Mile Mural Project.Art Mile promotes global peace and harmony through mural painting.  Each time I volunteer with these two organization, I'm continually inspired..  It's also been an awesome experience to share with my fellow art friends, and to just be able to collaborate together.  The funniest thing I've seen and never get tired of  is that each time I volunteer I get to I see children break free of their fear to paint and get messy.  I lov...

This past December, my friend Kay and I decided to give a gift to Richmond High School.  (Kay's alma mater)  We both have been wanting to work together for a while. I thought that this wasn't going to happen. For many months, we both kept busy with work, and regular lifestyles.  And, the system was kind of hard to work through. So just as we both were going to step away, the doors opened up once more.  It was a great way to begin the Christmas cheer by being cheerful givers. Concept and  Execute : The key words we were given to work with in October were: Nutrition, Culture, and Diversity. We elaborated more and added wellness, and healthy pleasures of life to that vision. We imagined that food and recreation were a big part of everyone life, and it is the main way that most people enjoy life: hobbies, the fair, traveling, and recreational exercise.   To make the best of the time frame we had we decided to do large vi...

Pin the Wattle on the Turkey Game Poster, 2' by 3', digital illustration I was asked to do poster for a game for a preschool in Cerritos, CA.back in November 2011. They wanted something that was a spin off of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.  BUT...since it was Thanksgiving they wanted a turkey.  At first we were thinking of tail feathers; it was a better concept that it was the wattle.  It is silly, and different. I chose to use modern autumn palette.  I wanted the poster to look friendly, subtle, refreshing, and clean.  I've seen several fun cartoon turkeys, but it was a bit much.  This is what I was able to come up with.  The poster is 24" by 36"  and in full color. The kids really enjoyed the game.

This past weekend was our last workday of the year for Compton Initiative.  We were at Roosevelt Middle School and Compton High. Thousands of volunteers came out to repaint the entire school's exterior, and a about 200 volunteers came to paint and boldly brighten up Roosevelt's campus with 3 murals.  Thanks to the entire leadership team; these days never happen without you.  Kudos for finishing the year off strong as our lieutenants and leaders.  Check out what we did on Saturday October 15, 2011.in the mural department. I personally had the privilege to re-vectorize the school pledge, and design the We Are Roosevelt Mural.  Thank you to my clean-up artists: Ruthy and Audra.!!! We Are Roosevelt Lions Roar 600 foot Wall of Color! Typically, this is what a typical workday looks like: Another workday accomplished!!! Learn how you can be a volunteer at:  Compton Initiative