We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, what do you attribute your success to?
Keeping my head down, not comparing myself to other artists, and being myself. We’ve all heard it said, “Do one thing, and do it the very best you can.” If I had to do just one kind of art, I’d be miserable. I’ve made bottle lights, then lighted glass panels, then abstract wall art using alcohol ink. Then I jumped into making custom tumblers. Then I learned how impressionistic painting with acrylics. Somewhere along the way, I began making designer box purses. People have come to expect something new and different from me instead of a specific artistic style.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Two things that drive my creativity are color and function. Regarding color, I began working with alcohol ink years ago and really loved its vibrant colors. I learned to create flowing abstract paintings where the colors would blend together to create colorful wisps and fades. My signature element is adding a metallic ink that adds a surprising flash of brightness when viewed from all different directions. The process is extremely satisfying.

Regarding function, as much as I enjoy creating wall art, I also enjoy incorporating art into usable items like tumblers, glassware, jewelry, wearables, and purses. I’ve created a line of unique small metal box purses that combines elements like fabric, decorative foil, printed vinyl and paper with decorative trim and charms. Then I apply epoxy resin to seal and protect the design, which adds superior shine and durability. I guess you can tell I get excited about the details that go into making a piece of art. Ha!

I rented a small display space in a local art gallery a few years ago when I was making bottle lights from discarded bottles. It blew my mind to see that people actually paid for something I made! That gave me the confidence to continue to experiment and expand my offerings. Eventually, I rented an entire room in the gallery and filled it with all kinds of 2-D and 3-D art. It was like having my own little art boutique!

Jump to just under a year ago, when an artist friend and I were presented with the opportunity to open our own art gallery. I’m so fortunate to call Gayle Miller my good friend and business partner. Together, we have put together a gallery of diverse artists in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina. In less than one year, Gallery One has earned an audience of both loyal local residents and out-of-town visitors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our first stop would, of course, be Gallery One at 640 S. Main Street in downtown Greenville! Our gallery has something for nearly every taste and every budget. It’s a fun, relaxing gallery that people enjoy visiting again and again.

Right next to Gallery One is Samantha Grace Designs, a well-known boutique owned by Sonja Miller. Sonja goes to market and brings back the most fun, unique clothing, jewelry and home decor items! She even has her own brand of bags. There’s always something new in her store and no visitor can resist taking something home.

Of course, we would spend some time in Falls Park enjoying the landscaping and waterfalls. We’d walk across the iconic bridge, down to the lush park, and do some people watching. Photo ops abound, so we’d take lots of pictures.

The Grand Bohemian is a must-see. Heck, I live here and I’m still awed by its grandeur!

We’d take a day to explore more of downtown Greenville with its unique shops and restaurants. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, and I’m sure we’d eat our way from one end of Main Street to the other!

After all that eating, we’d need to spend some time on the Swamp Rabbit Trail walking off the calories. Unity Park is a great place to stop and rest for a bit before wandering on down the trail to visit breweries and chocolate shops.

There’s just so much to see and do in Greenville!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband has supported my art career every step of the way. Neither of us imagined that I would take up art as a second career, but here we are. He has put up with art supplies stored in every room and on every surface in the house, packages coming and going, and glitter that ends up in surprising places – on shoes, in his car, in the pantry, etc. My workspace needs quickly overwhelmed the house, so I had a 12×16′ building moved into our backyard. No easy feat with permitting and setback requirements, electrical system expansion and the like. But he has patiently withstood all the challenges with grace and patience. He’s also my sounding board and voice of reason when I face the challenges of co-owning a gallery and managing all the moving parts.

Website: https://www.nancydavisstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancydavisstudio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.potterdavis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancydavisstudio

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