Lisa: You come from a creative family. How has this influenced you?

Candice: From a very early age I was always drawing. Coming from a creative family meant that this was just a natural thing to do, and it was encouraged. My parents would always support me in everything I did , but it definitely helped being creative and having the understanding and knowledge of my parents to guide me.

Lisa: What made you decide to pursue a career in art?

Candice: As art was my favourite subject in school I decided to go to university, and did a degree in illustration. When I left, the harsh reality hit me that it's not that easy to walk into a career in art so, like everybody else, I got myself an average job. I have had many jobs but have never settled into many of them for long. I feel as though I am now pursuing the career that I was always supposed to, but was not brave enough to do when I was younger.

Lisa: Do you have a favourite subject, or medium, for your art? If so, why?

Candice: I happily adapt to most mediums and also enjoy working in 3D. I love pencil for its purity and simplicity, but nothing beats oils for colour and strength of tone.

Lisa: Your work gives a strong 'feel' for the personality of the animals you portray. Have you always been fascinated by animals?

Candice: I was brought up in a family that loved animals, and I grew up with many pets being very special members of the family. I have always had a fascination with animals and have chosen to draw them whenever possible. All animals have an honesty to them - they are not trying to be something or someone else (with the exception of my 17hh warmblood, who wants to be a Shetland Pony!) but generally this is the case.

Lisa: Do you feel a special connection with the animals you portray during the process of creating their images? Is there some quality that you look for, and decide to focus on?

Candice: I do feel a connection with the animals by drawing them. I study the animals for hours in great detail. As I said previously, an animal is not trying to be something else, therefore it is amazing how much character you can pick up from a photograph.

The quality that I look for depends on what the client requires. For example, if I was drawing a family pet, then I would look for personality and the qualities that the owner loves in the animal. If the animal is a show animal, then I would focus on the image that shows the correct conformation etc. 

Candice: Don't give up. Draw whatever you want to draw, in the style that you want to use, and be proud of it.