Meet a Silversmith Who Can Make You Some Killer Earrings or Fix Your SeaHawk Helicopter
By Thea Fiore-Bloom, PhD
Meet Lindsay Zike; a talented silversmith who also happens to be able to fix your helicopter.
Before I became a professional writer I had a string of blah retail jobs in a variety of dying strip malls across America.
Lindsay Zike however, held down a job prior to becoming an artist, that was something to write home about.
Zike became a silversmith after working as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (Airframer) on SH-60 Seahawk helicopters for the United States Navy.
“Most civilians (other than artists) assume that if you’re an artist you’re a hippy type,” said Zike.
“Most civilians also mistakenly assume service members are war-loving, aggressive, even violent kinds of people.”
Veterans Aren’t All “Full Metal Jacket”
“I think these beliefs about military personnel are more informed by movies like “Full Metal Jacket” than by actual encounters with people who’ve served,” said Zike.
Zike was stationed in Japan for 3 years and spent much of her leave time there breathing in the details of Shinto shrines, appreciating guardian sculptures of lion dogs and observing the majesty of ancient temple trees.
“Civilians don’t get to see we’re not all about blood and guts and that people in the military can have unique gifts, unique personalities, and that we can be true creative artists.”
Zike suggests both veterans and civilians fight quick, easy stereotypes. For example:
“That girl in the foxhole next to you,” said Zike, “might dye and weave fabric during liberty.”
“And that guy throwing an intricate porcelain vase in a ceramics studio may have been repairing a broken aircraft in the middle of an ocean this time last year.”
How Being An Artist Helped Zike as a Veteran
Being a creative allowed Zike to more easily put her service in context after she got out and faced a new, awkward reality.
“I don’t know too many vets that like to be thanked for their service, or would willingly accept any praise or hero-worship,” said Zike.
Part of military culture is downplaying any personal hardship you might experience, especially when you know others had it worse or suffered more.
“It can be a hard mentality to break afterward,” said Zike. “Having a place to express the things you’re dealing with or indulge a passion is incredibly beneficial to vets on a personal level.”
Without some sort of outlet like the arts, Zike believes people develop baggage they carry with them throughout the rest of their lives, “slowly bleeding it out, with always more there.”
How Being a Veteran Helped Zike as an Artist
In the Navy Zike learned the value of military precision.
“Slight contamination of things like hydraulic fluid can not only damage or wear out a helicopter’s parts,” said Zike, “they can down a bird.”
Zike transferred that precision to her art practice.
“When you electroplate jewelry, if you don’t follow each step precisely you won’t get the end result you want and you won’t know why,” said Zike.
Inward Strength & Stability, Courtesy the Navy
“I’m aware that military bravado might border on toxic masculinity at times,” said Zike, “but I think my time in the military gave me a sense of stability and inward strength under pressure that other artists might also benefit from.”
Learning to Listen For The Whole Story
By interviewing Zike I got the privilege of being reminded not to make assumptions about any veteran or artist I meet.
As scientist and writer, Issac Asimov instructed: “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”
―
“Just by being a veteran artist, you’re changing the way people are able to view veterans. All art is autobiographical. Take a minute to read someone else’s story.”
— Lindsay Zike
Check out Zike’s own one-minute video story below.
It features a description of her work “The Laurels of Nikephoros” and its relation to Athena, Goddess of art and war.
I’d love to hear what you think.
Have people made assumptions about you as a writer, artist or veteran?
Would you like to ask Lindsay Zike a question yourself?
Let’s talk in the comments below.
_________________________
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Thank you both for bringing this up. I had no idea there was a spectrum of military involvement in other countries. More to learn about the world every day. I agree with what you both have said.
Wow, yes I prejudged veterans thinking they’re Pro gun Republicans and right on social issues. Thanks for bringing this to my attention and making me realize that I too can judge and I have to really think about that and change my views.
Hi Denise, I’m glad to have provided a different perspective. Veterans come from all walks of life and varied backgrounds, and service can change minds in both directions. The opportunities to experience other cultures and have rewarding exchanges with diverse peoples were an invaluable part of my service, and a continued source of my inspiration.
Thanks for bringing this subject to light. I, too, have been guilty of thinking of military personnel only as soldiers and forgetting they have unique personalities off duty, too.
Thanks for reading the post and giving me your honest feedback Kathy. It’s good to go out of our comfort zone and talk with people with a different life path right? They become our new teachers. Hey, what is your next article going to be on?
Kathy, I’m so glad to hear that I’ve been able to provide a little different perspective. I think it is quite common for people to think of service members as being a particular way. We all wear uniforms that make us blend in together. It’s not an accident, but part of the military culture that we all present to the public as one unified group, almost without our own identities. But we’re not on-duty all the time, and you don’t stop being you when you put on the uniform. Some parts of that culture don’t stop being part of you when you take the uniform off and become a veteran.
Everything here so very true. Well said. And stunning art!
(Rebecca /Army Vet / Linguist Analyst… daughter to 2 Marine Corps Vets)
That is so cool, Rebecca! Thank you for writing in. I only know you as a gifted artist, I had no idea you were also a Vet! (See, hoisted on my own petard of assumptions about who is an artist or who is a veteran.) So would you say that the Army has gifted you too with ” a sense of stability and inward strength” when it comes to your own practice?
Yes… I think there are a lot of times when I feel uncertain about trying something new or applying for a show. My next thoughts are usually “if I can make it through Basic in the middle of a North Carolina winter with drill sergeants yelling at me I can do this”. It gives you a lens to see what is scary and what might just be in your head.
Thanks Rebecca, that made me smile and makes so much sense. Your bravery reminds me of a quote I have on the wall:
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
— Anais Nin
Rebecca, thank you so much for your comments. I know exactly what you mean. Some of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do were in the Navy, and when I can remind myself of that, it gives me a different perspective on whatever challenges I’m facing.
“but I think my time in the military gave me a sense of stability and inward strength under pressure that other artists might also benefit from”
There’s something to be said about the potential benefit of mandatory military service, such as they have in Switzerland. Who could not use a bit more discipline at a young age? And also, it might also force the populace to be conscious of what military action their own country is taken, and at their expense. Both physically and fiscally.
Discipline and precision are excellent tools for any lifestyle.
Thanks for your comment John, I know I could use an I.V. Drip of “stability and inward strength” on a regular basis. 🙂 I don’t know enough on the topic to have an informed opinion of mandatory military service but I am curious what Ms. Zike’s opinion on mandatory military service would be?
Thanks John. There are a number of other nations that have mandatory military service, like Israel, Norway, and Sweden. And there are a lot of different ways that other nations have set it up. Switzerland, as you mentioned, is one of more than a dozen that require some kind of service either in the military, in unarmed / non-combatant roles, or in a civilian position. While I personally support the All-Volunteer service the US has adopted, and see the benefits of it, if mandatory service was something we were considering again, I think I’d prefer a system similar to those that allow people to choose to do community service, or non-combatant roles. There are many different ways a person can serve their country and communities, as well as grow as individuals and citizens. While my personal path was through the Navy, it isn’t for everyone, and I wouldn’t want someone forced into the military culture when there are so many alternatives.
Hi Lindsay,
I fully agree. To have a national service mandate and a choice of venues for this is my ideal as well. It brings back to the consciousness of people the need for civic involvement.
John
That’s a beautiful sentiment, Lindsay. I will take it to heart, Thankyou. I wish you continued success, creatively and personally.
I LOVED this blog piece. I am always so amazed by the persaverence and talent in this world and Lindsay is no exception. I was so impressed by her journey. It is heartfelt and deep. I was blown away by the filagree work in Laurels of Nikephoros, I’m assuming it’s a tiara of sorts. Thankyou for sharing her work and love of country
Thanks Barbara, I learned a lot from Lindsay Zike. Let me ask her to reply to your comment. i think the piece is more metaphorical , representing the laurel wreaths that the ancient Greeks crowned or awarded one another with to in honor of Athena for victory in battle or athletics etc.
Hi Barbara! Lindsay here, thank you for your kind words and support!
The Laurels are literally laurels, it’s a wearable artwork meant to signify my personal victories. I also try to use them as a literal reminder to “not rest on my laurels” and continue on with my art and personal/professional battles.