Expressions of art

WINGS TO FLY-Below, disabled artist Tommy Hollenstein auctions off several pieces of his work at the WYNGS (When You Need Group Support) fundraiser held April 2 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Above, clinical psychologist Sandra Rudnick of Calabasas smiles upon receiving the WYNGS Benefactor Award. The organization offers help to individuals who are learning to live with spinal cord injuries. Paintings by local artist Tommy Hollenstein were among those on the auction block at "Fashion in Motion" held recently to benefit WYNGS (When You Need Group Support).

The organization helps rebuild lives disrupted by spinal cord injury. Held April 2 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the fashion show and awards luncheon included a live auction.

Clinical psychologist and Calabasas resident Sandra Rudnick, PhD, was presented the WYNGS' Benefactor Award.

The organization praised Rudnick, saying "your generosity, dedication, caring and vision has profoundly impacted and changed for the better the lives of many individuals in the disabled community."

Hollenstein, whose work has been compared to that of Jackson Pollack, broke his neck in a 1985 motorcycle accident. After adapting to life in a wheelchair, he returned to his lifelong love of art and began to paint using the wheelchair as a "brush."

Rolling the chair through paint, Hollenstein said he "saw how much freedom I had with the use of the chair and how expressive it was."

A percentage of the proceeds from his first solo show, held last year in Calabasas, were donated to Canines for Independence, a group that trains service dogs for the disabled.

Meteorologist and stand-up comic Fritz Coleman presided over the WYNGS fashion show, and a mix of disabled and professional models graced the runway.

Hollenstein rolled down the runway with his canine companion, Hilee. The dog made her own fashion statement, clenching a purse in her teeth.

Since 1986, the award winner, Rudnick, has maintained a private psychology practice in Encino. She serves as a rehabilitation psychologist at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where 19 years ago she created a support group for those with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

The SCI group includes patients with new and older injuries who gather to learn from each other, share information and emotions, and feel understood and connected.

Rudnick's Thursday SCI group still thrives and now serves the greater Los Angeles community.

In her acceptance speech, she said she was honored by the recognition but further honored by the opportunity to participate in the lives of people whose strength is testimony to the remarkable resiliency of the human spirit.

The nonprofit WYNGS raises money to fill some of the immediate and unmet needs of people living with paralysis. The organization relies on volunteers, both able-bodied and wheelchair users.

WYNGS is at 7900 Nelson Road, Panorama City, Calif.

The group's website is www.wyngs.org and e-mail is wyngs4sci@msn.com.

Hollenstein's parents, Jean and Wally Hollenstein, own and operate the Calabasas Inn. In 2004 they received the Paralysis Project of America's Donald G. Watt Award for outstanding service. Their annual Tom Hollenstein Golf Tournament has raised more than $1.1 million for spinal cord injury research.