2 September 2009
By Flor Marenco Photography by Chris Sataua
Cande lives in a world full of dreams of love and beauty; a fantastical world filled with color and magic. As a little girl she would wake up early in the morning before the sunrise to go outside to her garden. There she would begin to paint and draw with crayons, marveling at the way the colors would appear to change as the sun’s rays began to shine.
Being raised in a family full of artistic talents, her grandfather was a painter and her mother, Norma Elena Gadea, is one of Nicaragua’s most recognized and loved singer-songwriters, helped Cande develop and awaken her imagination as a young girl.
Now in her early 20’s, Cande, or Maria Candelaria, continues to share her unique world through her art, designs, and photography. A self-described mediator of feelings, her style has a propensity to be retro, vintage, and full of color.
Cande creates without limits. Photography, collage, painting and drawing are all parts of her artistic repertoire. She is constantly experimenting with different combinations of techniques, media, and tools. Her fascination with vintage Polaroid cameras is apparent in much of her work, both as a photographic tool and as an object in her compositions.
While art is her true passion, she also takes on commercial photography and design jobs, including work with the popular Nicaraguan band Malos Habitos. No matter what she is creating, it is important to Cande to feel a personal connection with the designs she crafts. Through her art, she strives to transmit her emotions, memories and feelings, and provide us with a different way to see life; a way where fantasy is the beginning of everything.
To see her gallery visit: www.cande-knd.deviantart.com
