Candace Turner American, b. 1990

A prolific artist, Candice Turner has built an extensive body of work since joining the West Town studio in 2024. Her figurative work establishes an intimate connection with her subjects, creating narratives that feel deeply personal yet universally resonant. Inspired by the human form, Turner explores themes of sexuality, friendship, social belonging, and fashion. Her portraits depict nuanced expressions and vulnerable poses, whether capturing a single figure or groups gathering. Women frequently wear mini dresses, short shorts, tank tops, or bathing suits, with signature dots of blush highlighting their cheeks. 

Turner pulls directly from her daily life—incorporating herself and friends—to capture moments of leisure and celebration such as dancing crowds and house parties. These familiar faces become recurring motifs across endless iterations of her work. Turner’s style thrives on an interplay of contrasts. Nudes appear in unexpected settings, positioning them on beaches or inside bright rooms alongside tower speakers and vibrant, monochromatic furniture. Using acrylics, she pairs washy swaths of color and gestural brushstrokes with moments of delicate detail. This distinct aesthetic beautifully anchors scenes of relaxation and escape, from flattened interiors to sun-drenched poolsides.

“Coming to the studio and drawing is something I love to do. I also make art with acrylic or watercolor on paper. I draw it out first, then paint it. Sometimes I make drawings in pencil and colored pencil. I like to paint how my house really looks, or sometimes I change it. Sometimes I look at images, or just get it from my head.”