Edge Life

The Cindi Rose of Texas: When a socialite's silhouette is not quite what itappears

Governor Rick Perry posed for a silhouette in October during a visit to theRose's home
Artwork using her Mother's cookware, a remembrance after she passed away.
Photo by Matthew Williams
A series of Cindi's cast bronze faces welcome visitors to the Rose's home
Photo by Matthew Williams
Cindi's paintings are on display throughout her home, most have faces as acentral theme
Photo by Matthew Williams
A pottery piece created by Cindi...another study of the human profile
Photo by Matthew Williams
Cindi's silhouette of Dr. Michael Debakey from the 1980s, Houston'sworld-renowned cardiac surgeon, innovator, scientist, educator, and statesman
Photo by Matthew Williams
President Obama posed for a silhouette as he faced his own kind of change
Photo by Matthew Williams
Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Cindi with a fresh portrait during a get together lastmonth
Portraits of the Rose family: photographs accompanied by silhouettes
Photo by Matthew Williams
Soft layered colors shape breasts as landscaped hills and valleys
Photo by Matthew Williams
Plastic doll faces embrace in a sculpture of melted toys from a girlhood past
Photo by Matthew Williams
A news article decades ago chronicling a young Cindi's passionate discovery ofsilhouette art
Photo by Matthew Williams
Outside her studio, Cindi continues to celebrate her art with a playful toss ofthat day's work
Photo by Matthew Williams

Edge Life is a periodic CultureMap column that chronicles unusual people with uncommon passion. People out on that thin ridge of life where not many of us have the courage, conviction or will to reach — let alone stay.

Fellow CultureMapper: "She cuts silhouettes"

Me [snarky and dismissive]: "Huh? Uhhmmm...pass"

Fellow CultureMapper: "She has the world's record as the fastest silhouette..."

Me [interrupting]: "Dude, I'm hanging up"

Fellow CultureMapper: "She uses it to raise money for charities — good causes and all that."

Me [sighing]: "Fine, fine, I don't see it as 'Edge Life', but I'll give her a call."

So I called Cindi Harwood Rose, Houston's professed and obsessed silhouette artist — a passion spanning 40 years, with as stated, a world record in cutting more individual human silhouettes in one hour (144 to be exact) than anyone else on the planet.

Indeed, over the phone, Ms. Rose recounted celebrities, politicians and other notables and a list of charitable events that through her silhouette art have produced a fair and worthy mass of social good. Of course, one brief phone conversation was not enough for me to decide if she qualified for Edge Life.

I had to get past the obvious: an attractive well-to-do socialite (a label she summarily rejects); wife of renowned plastic surgeon Franklin Rose; and mother to a son, Ben, and daughter, Erica, Houston's celebrated reality TV star and recent guest of Dr. Phil along with Cindi.

"How about lunch at my house?" she offered. Owing it to readers of this column, I accepted in search of a story.

----------------------

"I don't eat out often" she told me as we munched a fresh, uber-healthy lunch prepared in her Iron Chef of a kitchen. "I just enjoy cooking so much that I prefer dining at home."

And it showed, our lunch could have been served by any of Houston's finer restaurants; with seasonings that only come from a true joie de vie for cooking.

Fortified and with small talk quickly turning to real, we toured the house, stopping at her artworks ... a series of waypoints navigating to the inner artist of Cindi Rose. As we walked and talked, I wondered if this was a well-worn path: perhaps her standard house tour? Or was she opening herself up to me with trust and sincerity?

All the while I struggled to mute the art critic in me wanting to comment on the quality of her art. The temptation that comes from artists sharing their works for all to see and surmise ... where we all fancy ourselves as experts.

Mind you, this was not a tour of the thousands of silhouettes she has created in her lifetime: Rich, antique black paper cutouts of the likes of Elvis and Liberace to just last month Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Texas Governor Rick Perry, who the Roses entertained in their home.

On the contrary, it was a display of paintings, sculptures, pottery and other works she has produced since graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Fine Arts; further influenced by study at institutions in Paris, Aspen and New York City.

For every piece of artwork, she offered a detailed story describing its meaning and the inspiration behind it. Testimonies to the people, places and things she wished to memorialize within the confines of her Houston home. But neither an artist displaying her life's work nor talking about its meaning is unusual.

What did strike me as unusual about the artwork of Cindi Harwoord Rose was in what it did and did not reflect. It reflected a desire and discipline to express herself — the process to "be" an artist. Yet that desire was not reflected by any coherent artistic identity in her works; only emulations of others.

But again, this is not unusual. All artists emulate styles as a way of finding their own. It is a normal part of any artist's journey.

I shared my observation with Cindi who paused and contemplated it for a moment. Without defensiveness or insult, she confided that cutting silhouettes may well be a comfort zone for her; not just because of what she says is a "God given" talent, but because of the deep, personal satisfaction she gets from using it to promote the Rose Ribbon Foundation, an institution established in 1997 that provides free reconstructive surgery to post-cancer patients who are not able to afford health insurance.

Hearing her say this made me wonder if for a while now, her dedication to this larger cause has come at some personal sacrifice to her artistic journey.

"Holly was my inspiration," she told me.

When her sister, Holly Harwood Skolkin, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer (too late for a mastectomy) in 1997, Cindi was inspired by Holly's will to fight, a will that has continued for 13 years. From this grew Cindi's desire to help other women fight breast cancer with special recognition of the importance of their feeling complete to the success of such a fight.

As Holly told me during a phone interview, "when a person has a life threatening illness, it makes your priorities crystal clear. It's not like you want to climb Kilimanjaro or anything, you just want to be with loved ones and feel normal."

Fair enough I thought and since Holly's ordeal launched a foundation to help others like her, I wanted to talk to someone whose life has been impacted by it.

I tracked down Teresa Marroquin, one of many cancer survivors who has received help from the Rose Ribbon Foundation. She told me that "when you finish cancer treatment you are happy and thankful to still be alive, but every time you are in front of a mirror and look at your body you feel frustrated by what has happened ... your life changes."

Marroquin went on to explain that "you cannot even wear a swim suit or a party dress with confidence ... the Rose Ribbon Foundation gave me a new body and helped me build my self esteem."

Let me confess: the original seduction of this story was to assess Ms. Rose's rigor as an artist. As some kind of self-qualified judge, I would decide if she was pursuing her art with an edge worthy of writing about. After meeting her, I realized that I was looking for the wrong edge.

It goes like this: Ms. Rose continues to do this work when in fact she could do anything else or nothing much at all. And for me or anyone else to assess her motivation misses the point that like her art, the silhouette of Cindi Rose is cut from her shapes as an artist, wife, mother, socialite and philanthropist.

So it is the layering of all these shapes that I think do in fact come together to produce her edge: one where for decades now, she, through her foundation, has helped women find normalcy in a suddenly terrifying and abnormal world.

On this I give her sister Holly the last word, "after so many years of battling cancer with Cindi and her family by my side the whole way, I know how beautiful and loving she is in her heart ... this is the Cindi I know."

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weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo by Shervin Lainez

David Byrne will perform in Sugar Land on April 24, 2026.

Thursday is National Picnic Day, and we only hope that the rain will take a breather so Houstonians can find a scenic spot around town (Discovery Green or The Ismaili Center, Houston, for example) where they can drop thecheckered blanket, lay out in the sun, and pull out goodies from that basket. (People around here have baskets, right?)

If you prefer other outings, this weekend’s happenings include a couple of arts festivals, a couple of outdoor markets, and a three crawfish parties that are certain to be boiling blowouts.

Thursday, April 23

Public Art of the University of Houston System presents A Conversation with Mary Miss
Public Art of the University of Houston System will present a conversation with artist Mary Miss and experts in the fields of social sculpture, community building, and sustainability and resilience. Based in New York, Miss is known for her interdisciplinary work in land art, site-specific installation, and public art. Miss will be joined by artist/Project Row Houses founder Rick Lowe and Jaime González, the first-ever executive director of the UH Institute for Ecological Resilience. 5 pm.

Elgin Street Studios presents “Dealing with Reality” opening reception
Having trouble with reality lately? According to the title, this group exhibition from Elgin Street Studios is also going through it. Within this exhibition, there are two realities that matter: the physical and metaphysical. Sculpture rests on the intersection of these realities, bridging dialogue between material and experience, uncovering the universal. Artists include Walter McNairy, Katie Hagar, Makena Vargo, Sunday Riot, Hallie Raybourn, Sarah Welch, Liz Hayes, and Charles VanMeter. Through Friday, May 1. 5:30 pm.

The ALLICE Collective presents A Social Experience: The HeART of Community
A Social Experience 2026: The HeART of Community will honor community leaders and celebrate the healing power of connection. HeART reflects both the heart of community care and the art of creative expression. Storytelling and music are woven throughout the night to create moments that feel shared rather than staged. People will engage with interactive elements, and take part in an evening that feels alive and participatory. Proceeds from the evening support The ALLICE Collective’s community-based, mental wellness work. 7 pm.

Friday, April 24

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will present the 19th annual Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America, screening films that reflect the region’s vibrant cinema landscape. The lineup for the 2026 edition includes nine recent releases from the region, including Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Oscar-nominated The Secret Agent, Laura Casabé‘s The Virgin of the Quarry Lake, and Enrique Bellande’s digitally restored Camisea, making its U.S. premiere. 7 pm (3 pm Saturday; 1 pm Sunday).

59th Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is in its 59th year as one of the longest-running, independent film festivals in the world. Even after losing its founder Hunter Todd, who passed away last year, its focus still remains on elevating emerging voices and connecting them with audiences in a meaningful way. Things will kick off with an opening-night screening of the Portuguese aviation biopic Star Sailors - Past the Horizon. Through Sunday, May 3. 7:30 pm (11 am Saturday; 10:30 am Sunday).

Improv Houston presents Kam Patterson
Orlando comedian Kam Patterson rose to stand-up prominence as a regular on Tony Hinchcliffe’s Austin-based Kill Tony show, gaining recognition for his sharp, high-energy sets, and crowd work. He’s currently a featured cast member on Saturday Night Live, a gig he’s publicly admitted is more than what he bargained for. Nevertheless, he still hits the stand-up spots whenever the show is on break. You can see him all this weekend over at Improv Houston. 7:30 & 9:45 pm (7 pm & 9:30 pm Saturday; 7:30 pm Sunday).

David Byrne in concert
David Byrne will be 74 years old in May, and the man is still out here doing it live. The inventive, innovative, Oscar/Grammy/Tony winner spent the last two weekends headlining at Coachella’s outdoor stage, hipping these youngsters to the classics he created as frontman for new-wave/art-rock band the Talking Heads. This weekend, Byrne comes to Sugar Land in support of his 2025 album, Who Is the Sky?, which has him collaborating with New York ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. 8 pm.

Saturday, April 25

MECA Houston presents Día del Niño Festival
MECA Houston will host its annual Día del Niño Festival, featuring hands-on visual arts activities and Spanish-language theater workshops that encourage self-expression and learning through the arts. The day will also include live performances by MECA students, including ballet folklórico and a theater presentation by theatre group Somos Todos alongside MECA’s youth performers, offering a glimpse into the next generation of Houston artists. 11 am.

Winnie's presents Third Annual Mudbug Madness
The Midtown bar and restaurant is going crawfish crazy. The all-day affair features special prices on crawfish — $9/lb for three pounds or $8/lb for five pounds — along with specials such as a General Tso's crawfish po' boy and crawfish-pimento grilled cheese po' boy. DJ Good Grief will spin from 11 am-4 pm, followed by Marcus Ardoin and Da Zydeco Legendz from 5-8 pm. 11 am.

Tastes & Treasures Pop-Up Artisan Market
This event features a lineup of talented local vendors offering unique jewelry, home décor, natural beauty products, and handcrafted art. Enjoy live music as you shop, sip, and savor one-of-a-kind finds while celebrating a milestone year of community and local craftsmanship. Admission is free, plus enjoy one hour of complimentary parking in the Lyric Garage with any food or beverage purchase. 11:30 am.

12th Annual Crawfish & Brews
Now in its 12th year, Crawfish & Brews is an annual crawfish party that celebrates the Creole boil tradition and its place in Houston's cultural fabric. Created and hosted by Boo’s Burgers chef Joseph Boudreaux, the event brings together a rotating lineup of guest chefs, live music, and original art activations — all set on the grounds of landmark Houston arts organization Project Row Houses. Cash Money Records co-founder/DJ Mannie Fresh will make his Crawfish & Brews debut on the main stage. 2 pm.

River Oaks Theatre presents Spacewoman with Live Q&A
Astronaut Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft. She smashed many glass ceilings in the US Air Force and at NASA in her career, culminating in four increasingly dramatic and dangerous space shuttle missions. This documentary from director Hannah Berryman shares the emotional journey experienced by Eileen’s family, and explores what level of risk is acceptable in human endeavor. Collins will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 3:45 pm.

Sunday, April 26

River Oaks District and Sterling’s Market present The Market at River Oaks District
River Oaks District and Sterling’s Market will introduce The Market at River Oaks District, a new farmer’s market that brings together some of Houston’s small businesses in the epicenter of H-Town. This family- and dog-friendly experience is open to the public and designed for area residents to enjoy a relaxed morning stroll while discovering curated selections of fresh, artisan, and specialty finds. The market will take place in The Park and throughout District Lane every second and fourth Sunday through Sunday, October 25. 11 am.

Houston Grand Opera presents The Barber of Seville
Outrageous disguises, intercepted love letters, and comic misunderstandings — Rossini’s The Barber of Seville has them all. The opera follows the dashing Count Almaviva, who’s in love with the mysterious beauty Rosina. Unfortunately, Dr. Bartolo, her pompous old guardian keeps close watch over her, as he plans to marry her himself. Enter Figaro, everyone’s favorite scheming barber, who puts his clever tricks to use in the name of true love. Through Sunday, May 10. 2 pm. (Friday, 7:30 pm).

Italian Cultural & Community Center presents Open House
The Italian Cultural & Community Center’s annual Open House is a free community event that invites guests to explore Italian culture through food, vendors, and interactive experiences. Attendees can browse a curated selection of Italian vendors, including local businesses, boutique brands, and nationally recognized companies offering specialty foods and cultural products. Unique highlights include Ferrari tours hosted by private owners and opportunities to connect with Houston’s Italian community. 2 pm.

Best Regards presents Best Noods
The stylish Heights lounge is teaming up with Houston crawfish legends Crawfish & Noodles for an afternoon of Viet-Cajun mudbugs, brunch dishes with crawfish, and plenty of cocktails. Choices include crawfish beignets, boiled crawfish in Crawfish & Noodle's house seasoning, a crawfish Bloody Mary, a lemongrass spritz, and frozen Vietnamese coffee (spiked with vodka). 2 pm.

Photo by Shervin Lainez

David Byrne will perform in Sugar Land on Friday, April 24.

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