May I tell you about a little somethin' I've been working on…:)

THE SONG

On September 2011, I wrote a song called "Sweet Little Girl." I had my youth group girls in mind as I wrote it. Some of them struggled with self-image issues, others desired the attention of boys, and others never felt the love of a father. I too grew up struggling with self-image issues. I knew how special these girls were so I wanted to do something just for them. I wanted to write a song that will remind them that they are loved and created by one who loves them with the kind of love that will truly satisfy. No boy, no sculpted body, and no fashion trend can equal to the kind of love and satisfaction that God gives. I wanted these girls to know that they were not fatherless. Our heavenly Father calls us His daughters.

I've had this song for a while now and I was waiting for the right time to release it. I had sung it a couple times at a few shows, but I wasn't sure what to do with it.

JANUARY 2013

I went to Nashville for an artist training at CMI Academy with Philip LaRue and I had an opportunity to share a song with Philip and all the other students at the academy. I was unsure of what song to share. I had 'Sweet Little Girl' in my ipod but it had so many mistakes and the sound quality was poor. I was a bit embarrassed. Some minutes before it was my turn, I decided to risk it and share 'Sweet Little Girl' with its mistakes and all. Well, to my surprise, Philip and other CMI students liked it! I wrote down some comments Philip said…

"Out of all the songs we heard today, that's the most tv/film friendly! 

The energy in the room went up! 

We need to make music that does that!"

I felt really encouraged and motivated to give this song one more push and share it with everyone.

SENIOR EXHIBIT

So, by the end of January I needed to decide what to do for my senior exhibit. I am a Studio Art major at UTPA, graduating in May, and my senior exhibit is pretty important! 

I had just returned from Nashville and I was so pumped about my song. First day of my senior exhibit class came, I had nothing to present to my class…honestly, I feared senior exhibit! I had prayed and asked God to give me ideas and to give me peace. I walked in to class, sat down…and...ideas and pictures began to flood my mind. 

I decided to use music and art.

Weeks later, I presented my ideas to the art judge panel, and they tell me that this can be something bigger and that I have a brand in my hands!

THE IDEA

I decided to use use my song, "Sweet Little Girl" and make a handmade book out of it. Kind of like a music/sing-along book, using a variety of fabrics, paper, wood, ink, paints, and a bunch of other stuff. One big collage!

To give you a better description of my work, here is my Artist Statement that I will be sharing on the opening day…

"I like to work with a variety of materials. 

I like to collage and assemble to create one piece. 

I am reminded that different is beautiful; 

my goal is to encourage teen girls to see just that.

I begin a page by selecting a color as a foundation; each color is a character of a girl. 

Then, I proceed to selecting random materials and assemble them 

in a way that may look full of flaws in the beginning stage,

 but the end result is just right. 

Every page is different, just like every girl is different; some girls are simple and quiet, 

others are loud and bright! I know a piece is done when I feel I can identify a full character on the page. 

Over two years ago, I wrote a song called, "Sweet Little Girl." 

I wrote it thinking about the girls in my church youth group. 

Every girl is different, but one thing they have in common is 

the desire to be called beautiful.

As the girls look through the book, they will be able to listen to the song sing over them 

and they too can even sing a long if they like! The message of my project is to remind them 

that there is one who loves them, flaws and all. There is one who watches over them 

with eyes of a loving father, God, and his thoughts over them are what will truly satisfy. 

This project is dedicated to… 

Daisy, Lily, Raquel, Andree, Giselle, Monika, Valerie, Vanessa, Deseray, Tiffany, Jasmine, Abril, Aislynn, Amy, Melanie, Monika, and Priscilla.

Sweet, sweet little girls."

THE MESSAGE

"Sweet Little Girl" is a message for all girls, even for older women, a message that we all share and go through at some point in our lives. The bridge of the song says, 

"No matter if your 13, 

No matter if your 60, 

He still see's you as his little girl…He still see's you beautiful."

MAY 9TH

May 9th is more than an opening exhibition. It is a celebration of an idea that began over two years ago, see it flourish to what it is today, and to finally share it with everyone. At the opening, you'll be able to listen to the finalized song of "Sweet Little Girl" as you look throughout the pages of my handmade book. Everyone is invited. I'd love to see you!

Smile and twirl,

-Ahni Garay

P.S.
In the following posts, I'll be sharing some photos and video on how this all came about. I had tons of help from so many people! I'd like to tell you about them:)

I will be sharing the exhibition with 9 other UTPA seniors. You'll be able to view each student's work. The opening is on Thursday, May 9th, at 6:00pm at UTPA Visual Arts Building, 2412 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg, TX 78539