Today we’d like to introduce you to Candyce Fabre.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started drawing at around the ages of four and five years old. As a child, I really enjoyed creating art and I noticed that I was pretty good at it; however, I did not share with very many people that I could draw.
Through my preteen to teenage years I wanted to go into fashion design, so I would collect fashion magazines and draw the models. I would also draw my own designs of outfits that I wanted to see in magazine. Right before going to college, my desire to go to college slowly faded away. I still had a love and passion for art, but for some reason, I wasn’t as interested in fashion design anymore.
When I got to college, I started doing tattoo designs (NOT TATTOOS) for friends and dorm mates to make a little money on the side. At the time I didn’t have a car so it was hard for me to get a job, so drawing designs for people helped me have a little bit of money in my pocket… very little.
While in college, I originally declared as an art major and business minor. Ironically, I absolutely hated it. Business was okay, but my art classes were terrible. I hated every art class that I had to take, with the exception of my painting class. For a long time, I didn’t understand why. The only conclusion that I’ve come to is that there was a lack of passion from my professors. My painting instructor was very passionate about not only art and painting but teaching his students. That is one of the reasons I really enjoyed his class. But with all that being said, I changed my major to Communication Studies and decided to minor in Journalism. I also love writing so I really enjoyed being a Communications major. I learned Journalism wasn’t really for me, but I still really enjoyed taking it as a minor.
Fast forward: I graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with my degree in Commicanton Studies and minor in Journalism in May of 2016. I moved back to LA at the end of August. I wasn’t drawing as much due to my search for a job, however, I did start practicing digital portraits.
A friend of mine (Donnie), later invited me to an art show he was going to be vending. The show was called, The Pancakes & Booze Art Show. Free pancakes and art?! Say no more. I went to the show and was blown away by all the art that was displayed. In conversation with Donnie, he highly encouraged that I submit artwork for the next show. I had never thought about putting my artwork in a show but I thought it sounded pretty cool. Donnie went to CSU Stanislaus with me so he knew my creative abilities.
Some months later, I went to the Pancakes and Booze website to see if the next LA show had been announced. Seeing that it was, I decided to take Donnie’s advice and submit my art. While filling out the submission application, there was a required field for a website. I didn’t have a website, so I stopped filling out the application and started looking up how I could create my own website.
About a month following (now in April of 2017) I complete my website and I go back to Pancakes and Booze to fill out the submission for my artwork. On June 2nd and 3rd, 2017, I display my artwork in my very first art show at Pancakes and Booze.
After the Pancakes and Booze Art Show, I was determined to get myself into as many art shows that I could.
After a few of my art shows, I had a friend mention that I should put on my own solo show. I smiled and nodded; in my head, I thought that I was nowhere near ready for that and wasn’t prepared to put on my own show. Later in 2017, I attended and presented artwork at my friend, Justin Sky’s listening party. During the event, I had a conversation with J3 the owner of the venue, J3 Collections. J3 proposed that I do an art show at the venue. At that moment, I felt like this was a sign that I clearly needed to stop ignoring.
Now fast forward in April of 2018, I am two and a half weeks away from my first solo show! I plan on featuring my artwork and merchandise that have created as well.
Great, 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?
There have been many obstacles. I work full-time, so it is extremely difficult getting off work at the end of the day and having the energy to work on stuff for Candyland Art. I feel like if I had more time or more energy, I would be able to do a lot more. There is are also financial restraints that prevent me from doing a lot of things that I would like to do.
A personal struggle I’ve dealt with is self-doubt. I constantly question what I am doing and if I am doing enough. Often times I don’t feel like I am.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Candyland Art – what should we know?
Candyland Art is an arts/graphic design and clothing business. I specialize in creating and design artwork. I am mostly known for doing portraits of people. However, I am trying to expand from just being known for portraits. I am most proud of the creative branding that goes behind Candyland Art. I work really hard at strategizing creative and unique ways to promote the brand. What sets me apart from others is the way I brand my art. It is very thematic.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
One quality that is the most important to my success is my outgoing spirit and my ambition. When I attend art shows and other events, I try to meet as many people as I can. Additionally, I am constantly working on something for Candyland Art. As exhausted as I am after getting off work, I usually work on some artwork or update my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: Candylandart.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/candycef
- Facebook: Facebook.com/candycef
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