Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Renee.
Candace, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well, at a young age, I was always drawing and doodling on everything. My jeans, notebooks and friends were my victims. In elementary school, my mom would get mad at me for drawing all over my arms with jelly roll pens. She would say “Candace! You’re going to get ink poisoning!” Lol! As a kid, I knew that I would be heavily tattooed but only within the last two years would I have thought I’d be a tattoo artist. I taught myself how to paint a few years ago and from there eventually was asked to take on commissions. My biggest being on a brick wall outside of a local bbq spot called “The Pit Room.”
My boyfriend at the time and now fiancée, Abel Sanchez believed in me and saw a potential to be a tattoo artist. He wanted me to learn to tattoo but honestly didn’t want to teach me for the fear of it tearing us apart. (Nobody wants their partner as a boss.) But really it just brought us closer. I absolutely love tattooing! It’s challenging, nerve-racking, rewarding, technical, creative, and demanding. Best decision I’ve ever made was taking the leap to be a artist. Red Dagger is my tattoo home and I’m constantly surrounded by amazing artists from in town and out. My brother from another mother Shawn Will, my Bobby q sauce Bobby Correnti, and my other half Abel Sanchez. Having them as my tattoo family is truly a blessing. I’m like the kid sister that wants to make everyone proud. They are so talented and supportive that it drives me to be the best artist I can possibly be.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I use my painting as a personal expression of myself. Focusing mainly on a subject matter that portrays what
I’m feeling at the time. Painting is like therapy. When designing a tattoo, I think of things that people like myself can connect with. I like my art to be a mix of nostalgic, funny, lighthearted, emotional, sassy, and fun designs. Tough but girly! My main goal is to create something that my clients feel connected to and a representation of who they are. I’m a pretty emotional person; I find most of my inspiration from life experiences.
How can artists connect with other artists?
It’s easy to get into a artist funk. Every artist does. When I find myself in a place where I am needing a boost; I will reach out to my peers and try and surround myself with like minded individuals working towards the same goals. Getting a constructive critique or just a fresh eye to help to give me a new perspective helps get me back to a creative mind state.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can view and support my current work through Instagram @c.reneeallday. I’m located at Red Dagger East Downtown and through my Instagram @reddaggerdowntown.
Contact Info:
- Address: Red Dagger East Downtown 2315 Commerce St. Houston, TX 77002
- Email: creneetattoos@gmail.com
- Instagram: @c.reneeallday @reddaggerdowntown
Image Credit:
Candace Renee
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