Rockin' the Dress

Here is my donation to the art auction during Rock for Rehab benefitting Verhelst Recovery House.

I wanted this dress to be a bit more rock-n-roll to fit the theme, but also wanted positive affirmations in the background because of whom it was benefitting. I think in order to rock a dress like this, one has to be confident, comfortable in one's own skin, and love oneself for who she is.

To help make it a bit edgier, I this dress is the first to utilize graphite rubbing underneath.

The side panels are a heavily textured fabric with skinny folds that made stripes and nubs. 

The center panel is lace, and the breast panels are a tighter lace pattern.

I added pastel over top, and text in the background. 

This dress is also the first that has a background value fade to a soft black border

around the outside edge.  

Tomorrow is the 3rd Annual Rock for Rehab from 11-6 pm at Naco Country Club. There are 7 local bands playing, an Art Auction, and good food at this event. Self-touted as "The Grestest Cause on Earth," I may not exactly agree, but do believe it is a really great cause (c'mon, I know you've seen episodes of A&E's Intervention -- drug and alcohol addictions tear families apart).

If you would like to buy this piece, you have to be there!

Your Help: What Should HGS Do in 2011?

 This Friday, I am meeting with Mark at the Small Business Development Center to discuss business goals for my studio/gallery in 2011. I am to present 4 goals for the year, 2 of which Mark and his resources at the SBDC can help facilitate. Because my business is in its infancy, there are so many possibilities for things to work towards. I need help narrowing the field -- this is where you come in. Take the poll and leave comments -- think about what might be a priority, as well as what might make HGS stand out from the crowd. TAKE THE POLL -- CLICK HERE.

I do have some personal goals, such as designating time during the week for social media, advertising, etc. I would like to start taking proper photos of my artwork and set up a better system for inventory and pricing. It would also be helpful to have the gallery open more often, so that I would be more likely to offset the rent with sales. For personal growth, I want to submit work in local and state exhibitions, as well as take an art class or two this summer. If you have suggestions for any of these personal goals, please feel free to comment!

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Reflecting on the New Year

Happy 2011!

I love the start of a new year, as it is a season of hope and anticipation. We review the passing year in photos, funniest television commercials, and biggest headlines, while predictions are made about the economy, the political atmosphere, and who will battle it out at the Super Bowl. Furthermore, the new year is often viewed as a blessing, an opportunity to change, to make our collective world a better place by starting within. The making of resolutions is noble . . . perhaps because sticking with our goals is daunting, usually requiring some change in routine, attitude, or behavior. It's easier to wish for a better year than resolve through actions that it will be better, lest we be disappointed with ourselves.


"A new year's resolution is something that goes in one year, and out the other." -- Unknown


My resolutions are usually on-going battles with daily life. I will continually strive to be more organized (where do all of those papers come from anyway?), to find balance between work and play (work usually wins), and to finish things, whether it's to avoid spoilage in the fridge, or to stop the clutter of fifteen simultaneous "projects" from taking over the living room.

Although I have never actually followed through with any of my New Year's resolutions, I offer you this: remember that the opportunity to better ourselves is open all year long. As long as we try to be the best versions of ourselves, we will all be better for it, even if we fall short. World peace begins within.