Too Fast to Last

The imagery of fire has often been used throughout Candyss’ career. The flame, the image of fire represents the eternal flame within, the metaphor of death, how spontaneously and quickly life can vanish in a flicker of an instant. Death and renewal are explored constantly within Candyss’ abstract paintings, being a poignant reminder of how short but powerful One’s life can be. The only constant in our world is that of flux and change and the only certainty is death. Without death and destruction we have no new beginnings, renewal or change. In my work I expore these aspects of the human psyche and how they closely relate to the nature of the land and environment.
This abstract series “Out of my Mind, Into the Fire’ was painted shortly after Candyss’ father passed away from an unexpected heart attack. “The mood was cathartic and the process allowed me to relate to the viewer my experience and feelings although always having in mind painting a painting for art’s sake not just the cathartic process. Through the painting process I found balance and serenity again. In this series I paint the fire of life using automatic markings, enamel dribblings, and thick gestural brushstrokes. I combine layers of ash, dirt, thick impasto paint, sand and other mixed media to reflect multiple layers above and underneath the surface of the canvas. Mulitple layers representing raw emotion that indicate metaphysical change.
It is a dance, a unity, it is simply me and my brush or tool. It is a meditation that heals. I listen and watch the paint somehow guide the way. It pulls one way and I follow – keeping as flexible as possible. I have no goals so I cannot deviate therefore I simply watch the painting emerge”.