For many people in Fulton, hardly a birthday goes by without being reminded of Nancy Lewis' artistic talent.
The Callaway Chamber of Commerce executive director works with pen and ink, which she uses to illustrate many of the historic buildings in and around Fulton. Her art can be seen throughout the community, on anything from birthday cards to brochures.
Lewis began her career as an artist in high school, working with a variety of media. She hoped to major in it, but she instead went with a focus on Education as she was advised it was too hard to make a living on art alone. However, it seems fate would bring her back to art - and a specific focus.
"When I got out of school, I worked at a typewriter company, and it also sold all sorts of office equipment and supplies," said Lewis. "They had this whole case of salesman samples of pen points, and the company was discontinuing those. My manager asked me if I wanted the samples, and that's what I use to this day."
She had never used pen and ink to create art before, but it quickly became her favorite medium. She most often focuses on historic buildings and churches in Callaway. Each year she runs off a set of greeting cards featuring a new piece of her work, which she said is both more personal and less expensive to do than simply buying Hallmark cards.
Her work is also featured on Callaway County Courthouse business cards, in the Callaway Bank and on Riley & Dunlap's brochures. She also produces art for the brochures of the Fulton Heritage Trust's annual tour of Victorian homes.
"She makes our brochure look very first class," said Vicki McDaniel, president of the Heritage Trust. "We had already seen her art of other buildings for special events and awards ... they just look wonderful."