auren Ross-Simmons laughs when she is asked about being an "overnight" art sensation. The artist, wife, mother of two and downtown business owner has been painting for more than 30 years – 30 years of practice, trial-and-error and refining her Pop Art brand of iconic images.

What?!?! Excuse me?! That might have been the longest pause or break in conversation I have ever been a part of. I remember the odd feeling more than the actual thoughts, but I am sure I was thinking, “What did you break?” Then, the revelation. “I entered us into an ugly bathroom contest,” he said.