November

Visual Female of the Month – November

– Candace McKay

Candace McKay is a self-taught, freelance artist living in Los Angeles. I love the vibrancy and subject matter of her work. Beautiful women in fantastical settings brought to life through wonderful colours. Candace is only 19, and I am blown away by her talent – especially considering she has just been teaching herself over the years. When talking to a lot of artists, I  find they all say they have been drawing since they were little and practically draw everyday. It’s pretty much instinctual to them, which is so fabulous. I love seeing people with passion (whatever that passion may be). Candace is surely one of these people, and I wouldn’t mind owning a piece by her one day. You can follow her work via her Facebook page, where she posts regularly with works in progress, pieces for sale, and events she is involved in.

Now for the interview….

How old where you when you started creating, and what inspired this? 

I started creating ever since I was a little girl! I loved drawing everyday, I loved to create girls and animals and make up a story for them and name them.. Around the age of 16 is when I decided to get a bit more serious with artwork, and try to come up with my own signature “style”. I was inspired by all of the pop surrealism artists I found on the internet.

You are a self-taught artist, did you ever consider studying any form or art or painting? 

Yes, I might want to take figure drawing classes.

I love the fantasy aspects in your work. What else do you hope to convey in your art?

Thank you! I hope to show more animals and detailed backgrounds in my work.

What are your creative plans for the near future?

I hope to make a living out of creating artwork, to showcase in galleries all around the world…

If you somehow hurt your vision, would you choose to wear glasses or contacts?

My vision isn’t the greatest, I wear my glasses once in a while when I have to drive or go to see a movie…

Excluding sight, what two other senses are your favourites?

That’s a really tough question!! I’ll have to choose…hearing and smell…

5 most pleasant things to look at:

1-cloudy skies

2-the animals you can watch in your backyard

3-trees blowing in the wind

4-oceans

5-starry skies

5 least pleasant things to look at:

1-gore

2-garbage on the streets

3-garbage on the shore

4-people sneezing or coughing without covering their face! *yuck*

5-rotten food

Who is the most inspiring woman you know and why?

You know, this may sound really nerdy, but I’m gonna have to choose a fictional character. Kagome from Inuyasha. No matter how tough her situation became, she still had to do her part and help out, and always cared for everyone. I want to be tough like her…(mentally)… ^_^

What is your favourite thing about yourself?

Being able to slowly find myself …it’s nice to see yourself grow…

What is on your bedroom walls currently?

Framed artwork by others, a wall of postcards from art shows, some of my art, and sonic the hedgehog… haha.

Favourite clothing / accessory / product at the moment?

I love wearing baggy sweatshirts right now.. wish I always could, but it gets hot here in Cali… and hmm, I don’t wear accessories or have a favourite product!

Favourite artist at the moment:

I don’t know if I have a number one favourite… there are just so many that inspire me equally.

And finally, any words of advice for people stepping into the creative sector?

Just draw what you want to draw, have fun, experiment with different materials and see what works best for you, practice everyday, learn from others!