10.75" x 16.5"
 
This piece from 2004, titled "See Through Your Opponent," began as a challenge from my instructor to bring a piece from home. At the time, I was an intermediate chess player, and my nickname among my peers was a unique abbreviation of my first and last name, C. Hess. The artwork captures the strategic mindset chess requires, and the title reflects the idea of looking beyond immediate challenges to see the bigger picture. This mindset paralleled my artistic journey as I stopped viewing other artists as competition and instead focused on my own growth and style. I built my reputation both through what I created and how I carried myself, integrating my art into my identity.
 
The piece stands as a symbol of self-awareness, confidence, and focus, not just in the game of chess but in life and art, reminding me to focus inward rather than on external pressures or competitors.