Candace Byington - Artist Obsessed with Vibrant Colors and Skeletons

Candace Byington Skeletons Candace Byington

United States

Energetic, driven, curious.

I studied drawing and printmaking at Bowling Green State University and earned a BFA. During my studies at Bowling Green I spent a summer in Guadalajara and Mexico City Mexico. It was here that I learned about Mexican folk art and became enamored with El Dia de Los Muertos, the day of the dead. My work is about the day of the dead, myth and magic. I currently work as a graphic artist in Toledo, Ohio and am working on an associates degree in graphic design at Davis College.

The Poisoning of Snow White ©Candace Byington

When did you first realize you were an artist?

I realized this when I was 2. All I wanted to do was draw with crayons. At that age, I was picking a palette! I only worked with certain colors on certain drawings.

STYLE

I describe my style as being illustrative and at times surreal. I have elements of expression to some of my figurative work. I do not like to limit myself to a style, but I can say that I do not aspire to be a realist.

MEDIUM

I work primarily in acrylic. However I enjoy printmaking, especially linocuts. I like to draw in oil pastel and color pencil.

Watercolor painting is another of my favorite mediums too.

PROCESS

I work from sketches in my sketchbook and photographs. I get my ideas refined and then bring them to the canvas or good drawing paper. Many of my ideas come from stories, fairy tales, legend, or my own fantasies.

THEMES

Magic, myth and death are my main themes. I am currently working on 24x36 paintings of each tarot card. I enjoy painting goddess from old myths. Of course death, the day of the dead is the main theme that I enjoy working with.

Where do you find your ideas?

My ideas come to me from dreams, from my own experiences. Sometimes they come from movies or songs.

Why do you create art?

I create to express how I feel. I create to tell stories, visually. I create to bring myself a sense of peace.

Laughing Calavera ©Candace Byington

How often do you create?

I create every day. I draw in my sketchbook or paint. I take pictures of people and events around me. It never stops.

What is the best artwork you ever created?

I am most proud at the moment of my painting "The Poisoning of Snow White" because of the process that I went through to create it. It started as a series of many sketches, then I took photographs to use as sources, and did a finalized sketch. From the last sketch, I painted the painting.

It was good to go through each step, thoroughly and see the idea to completion.

What role does the artist play in society?

The artist is a storyteller. The artist takes concepts that may be difficult to understand and brings them into a visual form. The artist helps to offer another perspective on life.

Do you make a living with your art?

Not yet. I make my living off of my graphic artist skills.

Art Promotion

I enjoy selling on Etsy.com and posting my achievements and latest work on my Facebook fan page.

Influences

Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, Salvador Dali, Diego Rivera, Van Gogh to name a few. I am also inspired by outsider artists in my area that create with out fear.

Contemporary Artist Recommendation

A friend of mine, Stacey Ann-Marie Meatte reminds me of Frida Kahlo in that "she paints her own reality" as Frida did.

Her work is honest and tells many stories about her life.

Please tell us something interesting in your life.

I often tell people the fact that I was born under a full moon. I think this fact set a tone for my life. I have been interested in magic and mystery ever since.

Did you ever feel like giving up art?

When I was in my late twenties I did. I was frustrated. It is foolish to give up on a talent. Not everyone can be a banker.

Where do you see your art career in 10 years?

Illustrating and designing and running my own firm.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Do not give up. Be true to yourself. Also, study business. Art is business just as much as it is magic.

Candace Byington - Artist Obsessed with Vibrant Colors and Skeletons

Etsy: Candita74

Twitter: @CandaceByington
Facebook Page: Candita Candace Byington Artwork