Meet Candiché
Candice Rodriguez Adams is an artist with a lifelong connection to nature. She split her childhood between the tropical beauty of the Caribbean and summers on Michigan’s lakes. Experiencing the contrast between these two landscapes inspired her appreciation for their unique leaves, colors, and natural beauty, a connection that continues to inspire her work.
While earning her BFA in Printmaking at Siena Heights University, Candice discovered her love for creating monotypes. Known by her peers as Candiché, she became captivated by the printmaking process and how each step builds upon the last to create layers and depth. This journey eventually led her to cyanotypes, where she found the perfect balance of creativity, process, and her love of nature.
Artist Statement
My artwork is inspired by the rhythm and movement of nature, reflecting a deep connection to the world around us. Leaves are at the heart of my cyanotypes, each with a unique shape and intricate pattern that invites you to pause and explore their quiet stories.
The rich blue tones in my work evoke feelings of calm and serenity, reminiscent of deep waters, flowing rivers, and gentle or powerful winds. Through my art, I strive to reconnect you to your favorite places, offering moments of pause, reflection, and harmony.
The Cyanotype Process
Nature Walks & Leaf Selection:
It all begins with mindful walks in nature, carefully handpicking leaves for their distinctive shapes, textures, and intricate patterns.
Hand-Coated Surfaces:
I hand-coat watercolor paper or fabric with a cyanotype solution. Once dry, I thoughtfully arrange leaves to create compositions that blend natural geometry with visual storytelling.
Sunlight Exposure:
The arrangement is exposed to sunlight, activating the cyanotype solution and transforming it into a detailed blueprint of the composition.
Revealing the Artwork:
once exposed, the piece is rinsed in water, revealing crisp white impressions of the leaves against rich blue tones. Some artworks feature double exposures, adding depth and complexity to the composition.
