New Work by Nancy Lee

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.

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.

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.