Clarence and Russell Lee
Navajo

Storyteller Bracelet
Sterling Silver & 14kt Gold

Size 7 1/2" Wrist

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Clarence and Russell Lee: Father and Son Navajo Silversmiths

Born in 1952 in Ft. Defiance, AZ, Clarence Lee ws the second oldest of six children. His parents, Tom and Emma Rose Lee raised their children in Twin Lakes, NM. Currently, all his siblings work with silver to one degree or another with the exception of a sister who works in the health care system.

Clarence learned his craft from his late father Tom Lee who built and owned a Trading Post in Twin Lakes and learned how to make silver jewelry to supplement his income when business at the Trading Post was slow. Tom Lee fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, was a POW for four years and a survivor of the infamous “Death March of Bataan.” He later became New Mexico’s first Native American State Senator. Clarence’s mother, Emma was recognized in her own right as the maker of the first Navajo Nation Flag.

Clarence discovered his love of art work in elementary school when a teacher saw promise and encouraged him to pursue his talent. Later on at Tohatchi High School in New Mexico he met his first real art teacher Mrs. Hale. Clarence favored his art classes over academic classes because he suffered from dyslexia. In school he made metal sculptures and worked in oil and watercolors. (Clarence still paints occasionally.)

Mrs. Hale also saw potential yet admonished him, “Don’t start giving stuff away.” Her comments did not discourage him and while he was still in high school continued selling his jewelry to teachers. In addition to his art, Clarence was interested in rodeo and participated in calf and team roping events. Throughout his high school years, Clarence continues to help his father sell traditional jewelry. When financial pressures grew Clarence left school just short of his high school graduation to support his family.

His first pieces of silver work were traditional hammering and stamp work set with stones. Clarence developed his own unique style almost by accident when he shaped a piece of silver resembling a dog. “I did that for eight months and sort of fell over backwards into storyteller style. I made my first bracelet and pin. I didn’t set any stones in my work until later.”

His ideas come from his childhood memories of summers spent with his great grandmother at her summer home in the mountains. He remembers herding sheep and cattle near his home with friends and relatives. Images of windmills, water barrels, old trucks, wood stoves, dogs and rabbits are reflected in his artwork today. Along the way he has added whimsical animals, cowboys, dancers, children and many other images to his collection.

Clarence prefers to sell his jewelry at Indian shows and present his work in competitions and exhibitions. HIs first show was at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. In early years he struggled to make a name in the art world and support his family. Fortunately, the first few shows provided the emerging silversmith encouragement. “I got a good response and it just opened up from there.”

His first competitive show was at the Navajo Nation Fair where his work garnered a first place ribbon in 1977. “ I started signing using an engraver at the beginning, using my family’s registered brand stamp. Using the brand was my dad’s idea, but by 1988 I added my own signature.”

In 1976, Clarence married and later that year his son Russell was born. By 1980 Clarence was a divorced single parent raising his four year old son and began taking his son along to all his shows.

“When Russell was about ten or so he wanted a toy he saw at the mall. I told him you have to earn it by selling something first.” From there Russell was encouraged to try his hand as a silversmith. Russell followed his father’s footsteps and eventually entered various junior competitions winning numerous awards for his work. Russell hoped to go to college after he graduated from high school but during his senior year Russell’s responsibilities in the family jewelry business began to rapidly grow. Russell postponed his college plans to tend the family business, a business that has not slowed down since. Now as an adult, Russell helps full time with the jewelry business work. An apprentice and talented artist in his own right, Russell fashions most of the tiny figures his father incorporates into his storyteller images. Russell also acts as manager for the family business, handling the paperwork, safeguarding the the valuable inventory and ensuring everything is ready for the next show. By Russell handling the administrative responsibilities Clarence had the opportunity to go too as many as 25-30 shows per year. For now, Russell loves making jewelry and hopes to continue his education in the future.

Tom passed on to young Clarence lessons he learned as a young silversmith. “If you want to do well, you have to have plenty of inventory on hand.” Incorporating this lesson has come at a high price for this industrious silversmith. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome now restricts the amount of pieces Clarence can create in a day, usually fifteen to twenty pins. He works diligently to maintain a large inventory for each of the 300+ designs he created. Because of Clarence’s physical limitations, Russell now does most of the design cutting including working on his own projects having acquired his own hallmark stamp in 1998. Clarence has done all the stone cutting for each piece for eighteen years, since 1988. “I do the stamp work and everything else, then gives it back to Russell to put on the findings and buffing.” For several years now father and son have collaborated on ideas for new pieces and new techniques for their work.

Most silversmiths create or adapt equipment to facilitate their style of work or particular circumstances. In Clarence’s case it is the adaptation of IV bags for the water drip on his stone cutting and grinding equipment. Twice a year he puts all his scrap silver together and melts it down using the castings for special pieces. Many of the techniques used to create his jewelry are developed to suit Lee’s unique style. As he creates more images, he designs new tools and develops accompanying methods so his craft continues to evolve. His material includes twelve to twenty gauge silver, copper, brass, gold and using fine saw blades to create the intricate appliqué’ work he’s known for. He designs his own stamps using old drill bits to create a variety of textures and surfaces. He incorporates several methods of casting including steam casting, spin casting and old traditional tufa stone casting taught to him by his father.

Clarence can see the results in his mind even before he actually finishes a new piece. His famous designs are usually sketched out wile sitting in airports, during down time at hotels or even selling at his booth. He tries to keep the merchandise interesting and fresh, trying out new designs for a minimum of four to five months. “If it doesn’t sell then we abandon it, but you never know. We used to make trucks, but sales slowed so much we stopped making them. Then as soon as we stopped people started asking for the trucks again. We now make them in four different sizers, but for the largest one there are two dozen separate pieces of silver that we have to solder together to make that truck which is our 3-D business card holder. That truck was done for fun and entered into the Gallup Ceremonial. It was something different; we thought would get a lot of attention. It worked because a lady from the British Museum came by and bought some pieces.” She interviewed Clarence over a period of three days. “The truck pin is our signature piece, as is the truck bracelet.”

Three museums currently display pieces made by Clarence and Russell. You can see a bracelet on display at the San Diego Museum of Man in San Diego, California. In June 2006, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana purchased the 3-D card holder, “Mr. Yazzie goes to town” that will remain in their permanent collection. There are also several pieces on display at the British Museum in London, England.

Among silversmiths, Clarence admires Jake Livingston, whom he describes as, “A nice guy who does nice silver work.” Clarence has built a successful career as a silversmith, doing what he loves and working alongside his son. And when he needs a break from his silversmith work he can cross the yard to his welding shop where his welding accomplishments include a barbecue grill with a smoker and designing a dumping trailer for his tractor and then it’s back to work.

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