candicejohnson's Profile

Bio

In Paris, I said, “je suis artiste.” This all came about after a degree in Interior Design, a career in women’s fashion including buying for Saks and my last official job in Paris as European marketing adviser for Danskin.
It took a personal tragedy to pursue a path that I never thought was probable for me, as artist was not in my vocabulary of possible careers. It is known what Paris can do for the soul and for me it gave me courage and the opportunity to find my voice. I studied for two years at the free Beauxs Artes classes that were sponsored by the Ville de Paris. I learned to draw and paint what I saw. I worked hard.
When I said, “Yes, I can draw and paint everything I see” I threw away the rules. I let my gut become the measurer of my reality. For some reason I started painting Tetes. Tete is rich as it includes both the head and face and there are wonderful French expressions that embrace the word. I am often asked why I paint only Tetes and I have never found an answer that rings true. What I can say is that I want each one to have an identity and a regard.
I explored all shapes and sizes and found my choice of preference to be 20 cm sq., about 8”. Perhaps because of my retail back round, my interior designer education and my character which derives pure pleasure from sharing I created the concept Walls of Tetes. The collector is included in the creation process as they can own one to twenty five plus Tetes and create their own work from their choices and the placement. I have one collector in Santa Fe that owns over 50 Tetes.
In Paris I sold in galleries, in my studio, and many other venues included well known auctions. I enjoyed the exchange I had with my collectors and their experiences in choosing and living with my Tetes. I have had about 300 collectors who are mainly Europeans. Some are beginning collectors who would add Tetes as their budgets would allow and others are well known such as Blake Byrne.
I left Paris after 13 years in 2003 and moved to Los Angeles. Here I didn’t say I am artist. My Parisian world and identity seemed to evaporate. For the last five years I have traded stock, redone two houses which I could be considered large canvases and pursued an idea for a web based business. I painted some but didn’t have the force or desire to share it. Not much angst and very little Camus in Los Angeles to get the creative juices flowing. Or at least that was my excuse. Again personal stuff happened and forced me to look inward. During the last months I have been painting lovingly and long. I think my voice was never lost just hidden under baggage. I realize I have something to express whether I am in Los Angeles or Paris. Today I am happy again to say, ”I am an Artist”.
I am now reconnecting with my French collectors and with a large gathering of Tetes many from my personal collection I am beginning a new exchange with my fellow countrymen. I am hoping that Americans find me and my work as charmante and bonne as the French do.

Female, Born on January 22

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