We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful, Denise ‘NiSi’ Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with NiSi below.
NiSi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
For me, learning the craft is almost like on the job training. I began my career as an Artist in the midst of COVID-19. I found myself laid off from my job, looking at my four walls wondering what to do to keep myself occupied and not go crazy. At that point, the only painting I had done was in school as a child, as well as a sip and paint for my 38th birthday. I took to YouTube and began following a few channels. My first paintings were smaller than a paperback book, like 4×4 canvases, but it was my first step to growth. Through trial and error, through erasing and painting over initial visions, I’ve learned a lot. In the beginning of my career as an Artist, my art has been put in front of a national audience, as well as brought me to paint on bigger canvases. I just finished a 4 foot painting, working on another one; and when I look back at older paintings, I’m in awe because of the size difference and how much I’ve grown since those 4×4 paintings that started it all. Being a makeup artist, I am used to making changes when things don’t feel right but I also understand that creating is a process. Everything doesn’t start out looking like a masterpiece, everyone won’t see the vision as you proceed in the process; sometimes you won’t see it yourself, and some people simply won’t like how you express yourself through art. You have to decide if you continue with the vision, or if the vision has changed, or if you start from scratch. This is your masterpiece, your craft; and only you can see the vision and the details before it becomes a one of a kind artistic creation. Learning the craft never ends, whether I am learning through mistakes or sitting in a classroom. I appreciate this artistic journey through every line drawn and every brush stroke. I believe that things happen when they are supposed to happen. I remember reading this quote and it has stuck with me for years; “What you need to know about the past is that no matter what happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am NiSi (pronounced nuh- sai); I am a multi-creative. My background is in the arts, education and beauty. In everything I do, my goal is to educate, beautify and inspire one canvas at a time. In all that I do as a visual and makeup artist, as well as a Poet and aspiring Songwriter; I try to make sure everyone is touched by it in some way. I’ve been acting since I was a child, portraying different characters helps myself and others to see themselves in someone else’s shoes. That translates to my makeup clients feeling better once they see themselves in the mirror. It translates to people who view my art and see themselves or someone else and are able to understand their story. It translates to the poems and songs I write, giving my audience a feeling of understanding someone’s mood or experience from the visual created through words.
I have been blessed to have found success with the amazing opportunities that have come my way. I am a nationally published makeup artist and model, my artwork has been seen internationally, I am an author of two poetry books, and I am currently in the studio working on original music. I have been told many times that I should do this or that, but I felt I wasn’t ready. As Dave Chapelle said, “You have to be wise enough to know when you are living in your dream. And you have to be humble enough to accept when you’re in someone else’s.” Yes, I may have been afraid to take a leap of faith, but when I finally did, I was able to fly because I was preparing for my launch.
I currently reside in Greensboro, North Carolina; I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout my schooling, I’ve always had a love for the arts and beauty. I was usually somewhere singing, dancing, doing hair or collecting Sophisticate’s Black Hair or Hype Hair magazines. By high school; I had drawn a self portrait, a drawing of a young gospel singer, Deleon and Betty Boop. They all were not what I’d consider prize winning art, but with all 3, there was growth. After high school, I went to cosmetology school in North Carolina to perfect my craft of doing hair. After returning home and not doing enough to market myself, I found myself back in North Carolina where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts- Performance. After singing and acting on many stages, I found myself in a position of wanting to do what I love and not having to solely work a 9-5. I am still in a 9-5 but I am enjoying having multiple creative outlets. After receiving a degree in Theatre and eventually teaching the art of theatre to grades K-8, I found myself wanting more. I eventually had a mentor and was learning the art of makeup artistry (they didn’t teach much on that subject in cosmetology school). I found myself gaining multiple streams of income, and mostly in avenues that I enjoyed. Being a makeup artist, I have been nominated for many awards and received glowing reviews; there’s so much joy in helping my clients feel comfortably flawless.
Becoming a visual artist and poet started as a hobby, I could even say therapy for me, that grew into a business. I have received accolades and praise for all that I have done in my beauty, theatre and art career. It has indeed been a journey of discovery and labors of love. My company’s name is NiSi’s Eyes, and it is simply that; my vision. NiSi means ‘not yet final,’ and I have no intent on stopping anytime soon.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the process. There are times that I still surprise myself at the results of sticking to my vision for a painting. I take pictures from the initial sketch to after the resin cures or the sealant is sprayed, because I love seeing the process of how it starts and how it turns out.
For someone that is not a friend, not in my local community to find my work via the World Wide Web, to show my work during their appearance on news shows that were viewed around the world was an amazing feeling. By connecting with this one person and through her seeing the value of my work, I was raised my prices and continued to grow as an artist requesting my worth. The only training that I’ve had was an art class as a child, that in itself is a rewarding aspect because I am truly proud of myself.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The best way to support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem is by acknowledging the time that goes into creating these works of art. Support people you know (and don’t know) when you see their art in galleries or kiosks on the street, and please don’t defame art. There is a lot of thought and time, trial and error that goes into creating art; art that we’d love for the world to see. Also, in many cases, art imitates life so by supporting local artists in all that you do will put more eyes to an artists self expression. For example, I was a part of a songwriting class with SunQueen Kelcey, and she allowed artists to display artwork around the room for motivation or to just take in another creative’s self expression. Whether it is theatre, a fancy gala, a silent auction, a community event, sharing their work on social media; please consider finding a way to include artists and their work. As artists, we never know what our next connection will be or what eyes may land on our masterpiece; so by supporting artists and creatives, our opportunities are elevated and we feel valued.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nisiseyes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nisiseyes_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiSisEyes
- Other: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/2-denise-lee
Image Credits
CL Reeves Photography CG Photography