27 Candice Kaye, standing at the forefront of textile design.

 From Toronto to Textiles: The Artistic Journey of Candace Kaye. Join us in this inspiring episode as Candace K shares her creative evolution from a dancer in Toronto to a celebrated textile and mural artist. Discover how her entrepreneurial mindset and passion for art transformed her into a leader in bespoke interior textiles, blending traditional handcrafting with modern design. Main TopicsCandace's early life and dance career, including her time with the Raptors Dance PackThe shift from dance to interior design and textile artThe role of hand-painting and traditional craftsmanship in her processHow social media and client collaborations fueled her business growthNavigating the challenges of bespoke projects and client expectationsThe importance of authenticity and unique storytelling through textile designFuture vision: making a lasting impact on art, design, and inspiring future artistsTimestamps 00:00 - Reconnecting after 3 years: Candace’s journey from dance to textiles 00:23 - Growing up dancing in Toronto: family influence and early passion 01:07 - Transition from dancers to textile and interior design 01:43 - Falling in love with interior design after dance dreams faded 02:29 - Inspiration from textile artist Alice Temperley and the hand-painted craft 03:20 - The evolution of her creative process from blogging to textile design 04:26 - Exploring textile art: sketches, sketches, and self-teaching 05:25 - Discovering textile design at FIT and embracing hand-painting 06:51 - The difference between architecture and interior design explained 07:55 - How her love for mood boards and visual storytelling shaped her work 08:47 - The ‘aha’ moment for textile design: creating her own fabric 09:41 - Growing up entrepreneurial and seeing business potential in art 10:06 - Building her brand and business in New York and beyond 11:09 - The importance of portfolio and client-first approach 12:15 - Inspiration from self-discovery and art books in her youth 12:46 - The connection between fashion and textiles through her work 13:07 - Her love for floral patterns as a core motif 14:42 - Staying authentic and distinct in her designs 15:28 - Hand drawing and painting exclusively, with digital for layout 16:09 - Overcoming beginner obstacles and honing her craft 17:04 - Commercial projects and large-scale murals as new frontiers 18:02 - The bespoke process: client collaboration from concept to install 19:23 - Navigating client revisions and project negotiations 20:43 - The power of visual storytelling in restaurant interiors and social media 22:28 - Her approach to design for hospitality and how client relationships evolve 24:34 - Walking away from challenging projects and maintaining integrity 26:17 - The importance of collaboration with interior designers and brands 28:10 - The role of Instagram and social media marketing in her success 30:26 - Developing mood boards and hand-painted artwork for bespoke projects 32:07 - Handling client requests that challenge her style 33:40 - The art of saying no and setting boundaries 35:20 - The most exciting parts: dreaming, sampling, and installing 36:42 - The misconception: textile art isn’t "real art" 37:51 - The timeless and rich history of textile design 38:49 - Leaving Toronto for bigger opportunities: finding her place in NYC and LA 40:06 - Balancing beauty and function in textile design 41:14 - Advice for aspiring artists: embrace patience and authenticity 42:55 - The organic influence of nature on her creative process 44:01 - Challenges of making a living and overcoming internal barriers 45:40 - The vulnerability and energy in art that connects with viewers 46:37 - The significance of live painting and large-scale murals 48:19 - The technicalities of mural painting: materials and process 50:49 - Her approach to on-site wall art and adaptation 51:38 - Envisioning her legacy: inspiring future generations and unique storytelling 55:21 - Final thoughts: sharing in-between moments and continuous journeyConnect with Candace KInstagramwebsiteLinkedIn Resources & LinksAlice Temperley