Today we’d like to introduce you to Margo Candelario.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My professional art career began in 1993 when i loaded up my car with the few pieces I had created and took them to a gallery in Macon Georgia owned by a women named Louise Burkhalter. I wanted someone with a trained eye to tell me the truth about my work. New to the south from New York I was unfamiliar with the term Outsider art and in many art circles the style was often frowned upon unless you painted like Thornton Dial. Ms. Burkhalter enjoyed my subject matter and encouraged me to continue painting. She introduced me to another successful Atlanta artist by the name of Brenda Singletary. Brenda invited me to her home, mentored me, gave me tips, tricks and business advice, a missing component for new and seasoned artist. Not only did Ms. Singletary nurture my creativity, she gave me space during the 1994 Black Arts Festival where my 5′ x 9′ mural was displayed at the Tula Gallery in Buckhead with a few other pieces around surrounding venues that Ms Singletary curated. Since the Black Arts Festival, my work has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Several Athens Magazine publications, I had a solo exhibition at CitiBank in New York City, curated by Artist Aleathia Brown. The University of Georgia, Georgia College & State University, Valdosta State, UCONN, The Lyndon House in Athens, Ga and Blakes Art Resorts in Maui Hawaii have all contributed to my success as a visual artist. In between my visual art, I wrote a book of poetry entitled “Take me to the Water” illustrated by my life long friend Author/ Illustrator NY Times Best seller Jerry Craft. The poetry book was nominated author of the year by the Georgia Writers in 1999 I did not win but I enjoyed dressing up for the occasion. I wrote another book, this time for children entitled “Looking to the Clouds for Daddy” in 2009, illustrated by my friend Jerry Craft and published by Karen Hunter who is an author, and was a political analyst on MSNBC. I’ve added textiles to my resume working with wool and creating my own hooked rugs that have been included in The Complete Book of Rug Hooking by Joan Moshimer. My rugs have traveled to Taunton Massachusetts, Detroit Michigan and displayed locally in Athens, Georgia. Outside of the art world I am literally outside working as a farmer, owner operator of Young Female Farmers. Our business produces seasonal produce, herbs and farm tours for people interested in learning how to be self sufficient., create herbal remedies, tinctures and salves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing about my life has been smooth. However my mother has a saying ” The worst thing that could ever happen to anyone, is nothing!” Choosing to be a working artist is difficult without having a supportive collective. Educating people on the importance of having visual art displayed in the home, office, or places that individuals frequent, adds value to Humanity, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Conveying that message can be exhausting for a creative who sees what others may not. It appears I’ve chosen two difficult professions that are necessary to sustain human behavior and that is farming. Food, healthy food, is essential to the growth and development of mankind. Reintroducing people to leasing, renting or purchasing land to control the food they choose to consume is important to me, but not an easy task. At sixty one years of age my body gets tired quicker but I embrace the challenge for as long as my body holds up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We have a supportive social media community that enjoys seeing what my 87 year old mother and I do on our farm. My mother is an inspiration while battling Dementia, she continues to come out and work with the horses, weed the garden, pick the vegetables and cheer for my wins when I teach a canning class, have an art show or sell a painting. Our business was built on the premise of self sufficiency and sustainability. My children were raised without their father, he passed away at the age of 34 from heart disease. Many people are raised in single parent homes and it is difficult, but small wins are wins! One moment at a time is sometimes the best any of us can eek out in a day. However we chose positivity and that’s what our business focus is built upon.
I also have an Art Page on Instagram under Margo Candelario that has fiber art, textiles and paintings posted. Prices are available upon request. I have an open house at the end of the year for collectors and people who genuinely enjoy my work and the stories behind it.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I recorded a spoken word CD with live music in New York City and while recording WU-TANG was in the studio cutting the early demos for WU-TANG FOREVER, DOG SHIT feat ODB, SHADOW BOXIN feat Genius & Method Man
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youngfemalefarmers.com
- Instagram: youngfemalefarmers
- Facebook: youngfemalefarmers
- Twitter: youngfemalefarm
- Other: instagram URL Margo Candelario
