El Paso artist's design featured on T-shirt sold by Jessica Simpson

Trendy girls nationwide soon will be wearing El Paso artist Natalie Baca's heart motif design on new T-shirts for Jessica Simpson's clothing line.

Baca, 42, who paints mosaic and mix media, won a design competition Simpson and her sister, Ashlee Simpson, launched last year to raise money for Baby Buggy, a nonprofit that provides needy families with gear, clothing and educational services for infants and children up to age 12. Baca painted the heart motif using acrylics and collage papers.

"We wanted to inspire young girls to express themselves and their creativity through fashion," said Ashlee Simpson in a news release. "So to see this come full circle and give back to such a great cause is truly amazing."

Baca's winning design was chosen by the Simpson sisters and Baby Buggy founder Jessica Seinfeld, wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

"We are thankful for the continued support of the ever-caring and stylish Simpson family," Jessica Seinfeld said. "This collaboration will help our organization's efforts to improve the lives of children and families across the country."

The Simpson sisters first teamed up with Baby Buggy last year to launch Jessica Simpson Girls as part of her eponymous Jessica Simpson Collection. The sisters decided to have a contest that would benefit the non-profit.

"It is a joy to support Baby Buggy," Jessica Simpson said. "Being able to shop for your little one and know it's going towards a greater good is really nice."

One hundred

percent of the T-shirts' sales will be donated to the non-profit.

"I just couldn't believe they chose mine," Baca said. "When they told me, I was in shock for about 15 minutes."

Baca submitted the artwork last year after hearing about the T-shirt design contest through Jessica Simpson's Twitter account.

"I found out I won in July, but had to keep my trapper shut for this long," Baca said.

The T-shirts are available in children's sizes S-XL and retail for $20 at Macy's.

Baca has not met o! r talked to the Simpson sisters or Jessica Seinfeld.

"But I would love to," said Baca, who works as a museum specialist at the U.S. Army Museum of the Noncommissioned Officer on Fort Bliss. "I am hoping this opens up some opportunities for me."

Baca is no stranger to fame. She was once featured on the HGTV series, "That's Clever." Her work is also exhibited at the Hal Marcus Gallery and The Pink Cottage. Her artwork is sold online on her Etsy store website.

Paula Monarez Diaz may be reached at 546-6154 or pdiaz@elpasotimes.com.