nDesigns by Nancy Lee: Handmade Metal Jewelry and Objects

Circle City Industrial Complex

Me and my two friends, Bonnie Ramirez and Jari Sheese, are on the final countdown to the grand opening of our new collaborative space called Flame Art Studios.

It’s been quite a journey, a little bit of drama, and a lot of fun! The opening will happen this Friday, February 5, 2010 at 1125 Brookside Ave, Indianapolis, in conjunction with IDADA’s First Friday Art Tour. We have 5,000 square feet of the 500,000 at the Circle City Industrial Complex on the Near Eastside of Indy. It’s kind of a hidden secret of the Near Eastside. Slowly, over the past couple of years, artists have been entering the space, carving out niches, and making themselves a studio home. I’m pleased and proud to be a part of this, particularly since I live in the neighborhood now, too.

Come on out Friday night and visit all of us!

wUG LAKU’s STUDIO & gARAGE, featuring painting and collage of Kate Oberreich in a show called “Undertow”

Martha Nahrwold’s Five Seasons

Matthew Davey, paintings and sculpture

Drew Cadaver and Jerod Kienitz, Cadaverous Muse Studio

Mike Lyons, installation artist and sculptor

The Pastry Station, European pastries by Pilar Lopez

And check out the nice article by Tricia Meyer with the online newspaper Examiner.com!

See you Friday!

Flame Art Studios is Nancy Lee, Bonnie Ramirez and Jari Sheese

I’ve coordinated a holiday show called “Deck the Halls…and YOU!” with three other local women artists. See pictures of their work here.  This has been a fun process, and I’m excited to do a show with people I like and whose work I admire. I mean, how much fun is that?

Hand dyed and woven wrap by Carrie May

Blue and White Glass Vase by Judie Sloan

I was smart to get fired from my old job so I could do what I truly love. Who knew I had the power to create a huge economic downturn, cause China to corner the market on steel, drive up construction costs and practically bring the construction industry to a halt in my neck of the woods, rendering me #1 on the “most expendable employee” list as “last hired, first fired” rules dictate?

Anyhoo, back on the topic of this show, all you hafta do is click on the “events and workshops” tab and you can see a pretty little poster I made for the show, and you’ll also see the other stuff I’ve got going on in December. Well, most of it anyway. I haven’t told you that my mom has a big birthday tomorrow. And I’m not going to.

Another cool thing about the show is that a portion of the proceeds are being donated to Fresh Start of Indiana, helping victims of domestic violence get a fresh start after leaving their abusers. Not only can you pick out a handmade gift for yourself or a special someone, you will also be helping people start over again.

Mindy Raber McCain's Little Purses of Handwoven Fabric

Rings of Saturn Earrings

Loopy Pearls

NUVO news magazine in Indianapolis is providing feature articles for artists involved in Oranje - an interactive experience of art and music (this Saturday, September 19, in a vacant downtown warehouse at 2323 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis). And their freelance art reporter, Susan Watt Grade, elected to choose me as one of the artists. The article runs in print in this week’s edition of NUVO (available Wednesdays) AND online.

Sunfire Necklace

I was surprised, completely thrilled and deeply honored to be selected for this. After this interview I was really curous as to what Susan would write, and figured it would be a brief paragraph with “just the facts.” Susan took her charge to heart and set down a concise yet incredibly sensitive article that tells a pretty good story, if I may say so.

I write this as I’m about to make the final trip(s) to the double-size Oranje  booth that I am sharing with Wug Laku of wUG LAKU’S STUDIO & gARAGE. We have a 20′ x 24′ booth space to fill! So I better get cracking so the show will be ready. That’s 8PM on Saturday, folks, until 2AM. Get your tickets.

When you get there, look for me on the main floor, at the bottom of the ramp. 12′ walls draped in red/orange fabric!

A new batch of beaded rings will make an appearance - these always go fast at only $20 and are a good alternative to my higher-end offerings.

Adventuresome??? Try your hand at metalsmithing, and take home a forged copper cuff bracelet for only $10.

Plus, see a lot of new work debuting from yours truly, hot off the anvil! We have a wonderful show in store for you, and the Oranje team has plenty of other amazing artists and over 50 bands performing. Experience Oranje! Don’t miss it!

Silver Cup Necklace

Lavanessence Series, Necklace with Pearl

I love round things, and rings, scrolls, spirals and circles show up in my jewelry often. Lately though, I got inspired to create even more - in two different ways in a very short time span.

Lydia's Flame Pendant

First was Lydia’s Fire, inspired by the work of artist Lydia Burris, who happens to be showing her work in my partner’s gallery (wUG LAKU’S STUDIO & gARAGE). I was at the bench while she and her boyfriend Dave were delivering her work to the studio. I sat there with triangle-shaped bar stock in my hand, ready to make it do something. I heard her voice and got images of her work going in my brain, and I started seeing all of these (you may have guessed it) spirals - spiral shapes are often suggested in her work. Very subtly, understated at times, but you can definitely follow them through many of her wonderful, dreamlike paintings. And it occurred to me that I’d like to incorporate that very fluid aspect of painting a spiral - only in metal. Heating it up multiple times and hammering away is the only way to achieve the tight curve I sought. The artist, Lydia, and the process, heating with fire, gave me the name for this series. Over the next 48 hours I created a pendant (shown), five pairs of earrings in three different styles, a hammered cuff bracelet, and a ring.

Rings of Saturn Neckpiece and Earrings

Then came Saturn. Or, the rings of Saturn. I had created a bracelet I called “Saturn” some time ago. It just sits there, I think, waiting for company. As I was working on some companion earrings and pendant based upon the Saturn designs, I set out all of the components on a tray together. All of a sudden I got the bright idea to sacrifice multiple pairs of earrings and pendants into one-grand-neckpiece. It reminded me of something I read about Willa Cather - a wonderful writer who often weaves minor - yet no less compelling - stories into her novels. She said she often sacrifices a very good story idea at the altar of the bigger story - to make them both better. Have a look and let me know if I’ve made the right decision. And please forgive my picture quality - simply snapshots.

This new work debuted yesterday, at the First Friday Gallery Walk opening at my studio. I’d like to know what you think of it! your comments are always appreciated.

Image from "A Little Madness" at wLS&g

Facebook | Studio Showcase - Local Artists in a Home Gallery Setting.

Nancy, Pod (5") and Blue Ribbon

Thought I’d share with you the picture my studio-mate, Wug Laku, owner of wUG LAKU’S STUDIO & gARAGE took of me, Pod, and the Indiana State Fair blue ribbon, at about 9:00 PM tonight. Pod is back home with her ribbon, and I needed a picture of the three of us for an article for Business Ownership Initiative (to be published soon).

Taken after a day working in the studio at the Indianapolis Art Center, prepping for the Jewelry Smorgasbord class starting on Friday (there is still space for a few last minute-enrollments, by the way!), I was not looking forward to this! I wasn’t dressed for it - I just had on a T-shirt. But I had this nice top in the back of the studio, left there from the last opening we had. And I had a comb and lipstick. But the best part of all was the magical ingredient every girl needs to look her best in pictures: Photoshop!

Pod looks so little here! She really has a lot of character on her own. I’ll be sharing more about that, and the future Pod series, when the BOI article comes out. Please stay tuned.

Last post was in regards to the “Creative Arts Roundtable” at Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) on August 24 -  a hit! The setup was with five local artists (the fifth, D. DelReverda-Jennings, was added after my last post) and an attorney specializing in helping artists with any/all legal issues related to their business. The amazing Tricia Guagliardo came up with the concept of having a program targeted towards artists, a first at BOI, and assembled the panel. The room was packed and fairly vibrating with an intangible goodness that evening, completely filled with enthusiastic artists and art enthusiasts. (Including, interestingly, Susan Gilmer, who is the process of writing about my story for a future BOI newsletter.)

Butterfly Tryptic by Rachel Steely

In alphabetical order by last name, I learned a little more about what the panelists do and what drives them, what it takes to succeed in the business of art. Eventually I realized that even though my name falls in the middle of the alphabet, I was destined to go last - right after the attorney with the impressive credentials. No sense holding myself small, I told myself. So my words came from my heart with the hope they would land where they needed to.

My bit explained my early love of art, then metal, and how a tree falling on my studio and the loss of my job in construction management led me last year to my true calling - making jewelry and objects. And then a little bit about Social Media - at which point I plugged social media icon Kyle Lacy. My friend and media designer Stephen James happened to be in the room,  so I plugged him too and when he got up & spoke for a moment, the group asked what he did. He received a big round of applause for eloquently saying that he supported his talented wife, Rachel Steely James, so she could do her art.

Afterwards, a class member approached me and told me he, too, lost his job last year and was pursuing his former part-time art, and that my words resonated with him. Helped him see that there were others in the same boat, and we’re floating on the same water. A couple days ago, Tricia was kind enough to e-mail the class evaluations and I was overwhelmed by the positive comments given to the panel, and the encouragement to forge ahead that was resonated with the participants. This is something I’m certain will become a part of BOI’s offerings in the future.

Maybe even better is the chance for people to come together in this difficult and wonderful time to let each other know the good that is there for us to find, when we take a minute to look.

Click HERE for UPCOMING SHOWS/CLASSES/EVENTS.

The wonderful people at Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) in Indianapolis, IN, have come up with a workshop on Monday, August 24 from 6-8 PM just for artists. The Creative Arts Roundtable is a networking and learning opportunity for local artists and artisans looking to use their talents to generate income by selling their fine art, jewelry, or other crafts. The session will include networking opportunities with other artists and a panel discussion with tips and resources shared by established artists and arts organizations.

I am a graduate of BOI’s Business Beginnings course (the Certificate of Achievement hangs proudly from a piece of clear tape on the block walls of my tiny office area inside my studio) along with a handful of other workshops, and was honored by being asked to be a panel member.

Panelists include:
Krista Bermeo, Krista Bermeo Studio
Michelle Bray, Creative Arts Legal League
Wug Laku, Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage
Nancy Lee, nDesigns Metal Jewelry and Objects
Shannon Linker, Arts Council of Indianapolis

This free session will be held at Business Ownership Initiative, 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 314, just north and east of 46th Street and Keystone Avenue, in Willowbrook Office Park. Preregistration is required.  Please call (317) 917-3266 ext. 100 or email information@businessownership.org to register.

If you are an artist or fine craftsperson living in the Indianapolis area, I encourage you to attend this free workshop or ANY of the quality workshops presented by BOI. They have made a positive difference in my life and career.

BONUS: Check out the wonderful Arts Council website for artists and those who love art for info on local events, including an arts calendar,  an artist database, and more: Indyarts.org

P.S. Hope to see you there!

It is with great pleasure that “my” gallery, wUG LAKU’S STUDIO & gARAGE, is showing Cagney King’s work for IDADA’s First Friday Gallery Walk on Friday, July 3, 6-9 PM. Now, to lift an article directly from Konrad Marshall at IndyStar.com, please read on:

“There’s a great show being held this week at Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to go see it. The artist in question is Cagney King.”

“King has been a student of art since she was able to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she now lives in the Pendleton/Fortville area, west of Indianapolis, and creates primarily out of a studio in Greenfield. She works mostly in oils and graphite, but has been experimenting with mixed media. Although formally trained at Ball State University and Herron School of Art and Design, King attributes most of her true art education to self-exploration and trial by fire. Her exhibition on First Friday this week is her first major solo exhibition in Indianapolis.”

Cagney King photo by Konrad Marshall

“”Working in a studio is an experience that has become necessary. It’s a release, an escape. I can be free. I can be with my tools, I can be with my paint, I can be with my canvas and I can be with my thoughts, and let all of those culminate and work together. That’s a pretty special thing, and I think it’s become very important for my creativity peak, but also my well-being. If I’m not painting, I’m not happy.”
– Cagney King, mixed media artist”

Cagney King photo by Konrad Marshall

Yes, everyone, please come out not only for a really great time at one of Indy’s hottest art galleries, but also to see some really great, imaginative, insightful and beautiful art from one of the area’s up-and-coming names, Cagney King.

I’ll be there with a few new jewelry pieces. I have been experimenting with some more etching on copper. And I added some beautiful pearls to a couple of pieces. Come see what I made.

Click here for more info. Note: This is a free event with plenty of free parking.

Here are a few photos of some of the jewelry I provided to The Wellness Community fundraiser, set for this week - Friday and Saturday! I am getting excited about this opportunity for The Wellness Community to gain exposure and raise funds for the worthwhile programs there.

"Pod Twist" rings of twisted sterling wire & copper

Boulder Opal Pin/Pendant

Jan Wilson, LCSW, is one of the key founders of this benefit. Beside coordinating this effort, she also teaches an art therapy class to people involved in the program. She schedules classes at various times so people can have the facility to themselves, make noise and messes, and express themselves and their healing journeys through making art collage and decorating  masks, which hang on the walls of the lovely facility located on Indianapolis’ northwest side.

For anyone experiencing the stress of cancer for themselves or a family member, the programs at TCW provide much-needed psychological and emotional support at no cost. The benefit will raise funds through admission costs on the Friday Preview Show ($25/ticket) and through the sale of artist’s works. 40% of artist’s sales will be donated in support of these worthwhile programs.

Attend the benefit!

Preview Date on Friday, June 26, 6-10PM

Public Sale Saturday, June 27, 10-6PM

See previous post for more information