Happy Holidays from Bella

Six-story project at White Rock DART station

City council approved zoning for the project “without any fanfare,” Lake Highlands Councilman Jerry Allen says. No one spoke up for or against the proposed multi-family development at Northwest Highway and Lawther, he says, which can be built up to six stories high with as many as 350 units. The project will be adjacent to DART’s White Rock rail station. Developer Winston Capital plans two driveways, one on Northwest Highway and one on West Lawther, plus a pedestrian connection to the station.

“It’s a transit-oriented development, and this is the citywide and metroplex approach and really the national approach,” Allen says. “You do want a little higher density around these transit stations, and at the same time, that’s just a neat spot for anyone who wants to live there — right next to the transit station and then right out your front door is the trail to the lake.” facebook.com/lakehighlandsadvocate twitter.com/advocate_lh advocatemag.com/newsletter chughes@advocatemag.com

Read neighbors’ mixed reactions to the project and join the conversation at lakehighlands.advocatemag.com.

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Q&A: Laurie Justus Pace

Picking up a pencil or paintbrush and rendering something attractive doesn’t constitute art, says Laurie Justus Pace, until you put something beyond mechanics, part of your soul, into it. This is one of the more intangible truths Lake Highlands born-and-raised artist Pace tries to teach. The painter famous for her color-dripping ponies also is interested in helping artists gain exposure through marketing and contemporary salesmanship. Along with fellow Lake Highlands High School alumna Debbie Grayson Lincoln, Pace founded the Artists of Texas, through which she gives motivated and talented artists the tools to succeed. Through Jan. 1, 2013, the work of Pace and another 50-plus Artists of Texas members will be on display at the Dutch Art Gallery in Lake Highlands.

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T.HEE GREETINGS

All that glitters and glistens is at your locally owned T. Hee Greetings this holiday season. Three Dallas locations: Lake Highlands, Lakewood, Preston Center. 214.747.5800 t-heegifts.com

The Hospitality Sweet

Sweet treats are the perfect party favor for your holiday gathering! Open at the London Café inside Timothy Oulton at Potter Square. 4500 N. Central Expressway. 214.534.2241 thehospitalitysweet.com

Polly Dupont

Soaps, Lotions, Glass Soap Dishes and Candles in Fleur De Noel make the perfect hostess gift. The rich Winter Floral fragrance is the perfect subtle addition to your home for the holidays.

7989 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 154, Dallas 972.991.3689 pollydupont.com

The Store In Lake Highlands

Aromatic Frasier Fir captures traditional holiday scents and fill our fondest memories. Candles, lotions, soaps, potpourri, cleaning products and more. 10233 E NW Hwy @ Ferndale (near Albertsons) 214.553.8850 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 TheStoreinLH.com

WALTON’S LAWN & GARDEN CENTER

Deck your Halls with beautiful Magnolia, Boxwood, and Noble wreaths and garland, as well as unique lacquered magnolia wreaths. Come see the best Christmas tree selection in Dallas! 8652 Garland Rd. 214.321.2387 waltonsgarden.com

WACKYM’S KITCHEN

Wackym’s Kitchen bakes delicious cookies from original recipes using fresh, natural ingredients like real butter and cane sugar. Visit our website to order or find a retail location. wackymskitchen.com

La

Mariposa Imports

Come in now to see our best collection of Christmas creations from South of the Border ever!

2813 N. Henderson Ave. 214.826.0069 lamariposaimports.com

Brumley Gardens

To Grandmother’s house we go! Charming retro music box, one of many styles available at our Christmas store. These will go fast! Shop Local! Brumley Gardens- Lake Highlands: 10540 Church Rd. 214.343.4900 & Bishop Arts: 700 W. Davis 214.942.0794 www.brumleygardens.com.

N Designs

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Have you always loved art?

Yes. I started painting in seventh grade. My mom would have my paintings framed at the Dutch Art Gallery — we lived right behind the shopping center where it is located — and we would donate them to the PBS auctions. In high school, I was one of the founding members of Lake Highlands High School’s first art club, which, I believe, was called “Arabesque.”

But you detoured before becoming a professional artist, right?

Yes, after high school, you know, you leave and you go do your own thing. I went into modeling, then design and graphic art, spent time as a musician and taught art at White Rock Elementary. Eventually, though, I got teacher burnout. I really wasn’t sure what to do. I called another artist friend and she told me to get my materials out — the paints and canvas and I thought, now what? She helped me get back on the path to being an artist.

How did you move from that blank canvas to being the notable artist you are today?

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All handmade in the U.S.A. Like us on Facebook. 6725 Snider Plaza 469.759.6501 eclecticgalleries.com painted ponies has been imitated, but it is one I developed through struggling and painting and praying. Through several trials I know I can paint realistically and impressionistically, but my joy is in my palette knife and how I use it on my canvas. One of the toughest and most important things to teach young artists, I’ve found, is that it is not important if Mom and Dad like your work. It is about your personal journey. I could render something and paint it, but if it is an imitation or simply an exercise, it lacks soul and it will not sell. You have to find your voice, validate your own work.

I read “The Artists Way” and began creating again. I did a couple of tent shows and found those were not for me, then a friend asked me if I had thought of selling work on eBay. I figured I could do that. Pretty soon all I wanted to do was paint and sell. Within two years I was making great money doing this. Galleries — even those that had turned me down before now began approaching me. So since about 2005, my work has been in galleries all over the world. My husband, Terry, who also went to Lake Highlands, took early retirement, and he helps with inventory and shipping. I have a studio in our house — we moved to Mount Vernon [on West Lawther] — overlooking the lake, and I keep busy. I love to paint. Last summer I did 100 paintings in 100 days for $100 each. I sold 99 of them!

Even beautiful art doesn’t sell itself. How are you helping artists through Artists of Texas and similar groups?

After I started selling, I got back in touch with a high school friend, Debbie Grayson Lincoln. We did a show together, which rekindled her love for art and made better friends. Together we decided to use the experiences we have had to help other artists understand how to promote their work. We are selective about membership. These are professionals and they must be computer literate — that turns some away. Four years ago we held our first show at the Dutch Art Gallery, and while many of the Artists of Texas are from the White Rock area, many came from all around, stayed in our homes. We were like a family before we even got to know each other.

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For those who might not know, what is your style?

My work is my own work, unique in style and exploration. My signature style of

Tell us about this year’s show. This is called “Colors of Texas,” and it covers a wide breadth of mediums and styles — abstract, realistic, sculpture our youngest member, Anton Zhou, is incredible. You really need to come see him. It is a wonderful show; the group deserves the credit. —Christina

Answers have been edited for brevity.

Hughes Babb

the artists of texas exhibit runs through Jan. 1 at the Dutch Art Gallery, 10233 E. Northwest Highway. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 214.348.7350 or visit dutchartusa.com.