Check Out Denise “NiSi” Lee’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise “NiSi” Lee

Hi Denise, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How I started? Well, it’s been a lot of starts and stops depending on how you look at it. As a child, I always wanted to be a platform hairstylist like what you see at the Bronner Bros. hair shows. However, after going to cosmetology school after high school and feeling the strain on my back from bending over shampoo bowls; I eventually decided that it wasn’t for me. I also didn’t learn much about marketing myself at the time so there was a lot of sitting at the salon waiting for people to walk in. Throughout my childhood, I did a lot of singing, modeling and acting so it was a no brainer where my passion was. I did art and wrote poetry in elementary and middle school, but that was about it. I graduated from Bennett College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts- Performance. I also studied at Full Sail University for my Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Screenplays. Even with all that, my joy came from a happenstance experience. While teaching Theatre, a friend asked what would I do if money wasn’t an option? I said I’d always considered doing makeup. At that point she connected me with a makeup artist and the rest is history. Poetry and art became more a part of my life after getting divorced. I began to write my feelings down to get it out my head, I began performing more after sitting in on an erotic open mic and finally took my moment on the mic. Art came about when I was furloughed due to the onset of COVID-19 and I decided to watch YouTube to learn to paint so I wouldn’t just stare at my bare walls all day. Now I’m in a position of moving towards simply doing what I love to find peace and income from my passions.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In life there will always be challenges. The biggest challenge for me right now is health and simply not being able to do what I love all day. The hardest thing for a creative is not being able to create. Sometimes we have so many ideas swirling around in our heads but we are working a 9-5 that doesn’t allow for that creativity to be on display. The best part of being furloughed when my art career was beginning, was the sheer ability to create day in and day out. There were no deadlines. It was jut me, my paint, my canvas, my music… it was peaceful and therapeutic. I still had to look for employment but the best parts of my day was putting my thoughts and ideas on paper and/or the canvas. Today, I sit here on my day off, enjoying the mere thought of letting you know my story. I am also working on the last touches of a painting and practicing for an upcoming event that I’ll be featured as a poet. It is hard to work a 9-5 and then come home to find the energy to paint, sometimes I can push through and do it but it’s tough. I also deal with migraines; sometimes from stress, sometimes a food or smell triggers it. When the migraines hit, it puts me down and nothing is being done when that happens. It is very rare when I can push through and painting relieves the pressure on me. This has happened with makeup as well. I can do my own makeup sometimes or have to push through because I don’t want to cancel on a client’s special day; and by the time I’m done, I feel lighter.

The other challenges are figuring out how to get my art, whether it’s my poetry, makeup or visual artistry in front of more people. I am constantly learning, whether it is how to market myself better or developing better techniques to work smarter and not harder. NEVER STOP LEARNING! I’ve had days that I consider looking for another job, even something within the arts, there are other days that I think to myself, “Why are you looking for a job?” I think about all of the talents I have and wonder why am I not further along and making money in my sleep. So again, I am constantly looking for more opportunities to get this face, this voice, my canvases in front of more people. I am indeed a work in progress.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multi-creative. I am a Makeup Artist, Visual Artist and Poet. NiSi’s Eyes is the umbrella that holds the collage of all things NiSi: www.NiSisEyes.com

I have been a Makeup Artist for over 10 years, and credited as a Nationally Published Makeup Artist within my first two years working professionally. My main focus is Bridal and Pageant makeup. I also work with young girls, my Educated Beauties; the better their grades, the lower their rate is for makeup services. I love having the opportunity to get to know my clients year after year and/or catching up with them for each special occasion for them or family/friends that are referred to me.

I have been writing poetry all my life but I started taking it more seriously in the last 6 years. My self-expression can be read in Yonitry: Volume 1&2 alongside 30+ women of all backgrounds. I am known for poetry focused on current events, as well as erotic poetry. I am nominated as the 2024 Poet of the Year for Onyx Urban Music Group Awards which takes place in October 2024. My first single, “SHE,” streams on all music platforms, including more of my spokenword on Onyx Urban Music Group (www.oumg.net on Friday nights- 8pm EST).

Topshelf ARTistry by NiSi is the visual artist expressions. I began this journey of creating visual art around 2019. Drawing on the many facial canvases I’ve touched as a Makeup Artist and positive images of black women, I create work influenced by the various shades of melanin. Often bold and captivating, my work evokes the feelings of giving yourself permission to love yourself as is, in all stages of life. My work has been seen internationally and featured in online exhibitions, Femina and Creative Minds (through Biafarin). It has also been the backdrop for Sarah Norman, a Democratic Strategist on Fox News and Newsmax. Most recently, a few of my works can be seen in the poetry visual for RL The Gifted 1’s video, ‘Mic Dropper.’

I believe the thing that sets me apart from others is the fact that I don’t listen when people say you have to choose one thing. All of these things make up who I am. If I have to put down any of my talents, I would feel empty. I wear a lot of hats, however I do a lot of things well. I have something to offer the world and you’re going to get all of it until I can’t give it anymore.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’ve been told that I’m modest, humble, dope, and then some. I appreciate all of it, at the end of the day I am simply me. I have accomplished a lot in my life but none of that goes to my head. For me, I know that we are all one decision away from being in someone else’s shoes. It can all be gone in an instant, nothing in this life is guaranteed. When it comes to success, I have to continue to believe that I’ll reach my goals. I will reach those goals by continuing to be me and being personable. I am a listener and that comes out in my art and my poetry. People are quick to judge if they haven’t had to be in someone’s position, by listening, I try to help people see life from a different point of view through all of my art forms (that started from being an actress). I am focused on creating positive images and I believe people see that in my work, which will aid in my success. My name, NiSi, it means ‘not yet final,’ so there’s absolutely more to experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nisiseyes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nisiseyes_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiSisEyes
• Other: https://song.link/i/1735142464

Image Credits
Chelle Photography
Ibe Photography