U R U Studio

My name is Candice, and while my story is uniquely mine, I believe there are threads within it that resonate with many of us.I've been painting and drawing since I was 10. At 12 or 13, my mom enrolled me in art classes with Ockert Vermeulen, a talented South African artist. Under his mentorship, I learned the old, traditional techniques of colour mixing and brushwork. Those lessons formed a solid foundation for my artistic ability, and I often think back on those years as the time when I truly began to shape my craft.But life, as it tends to do, moved me in different directions. We all reach a point where we are nudged toward careers that seem right for the time, and for me, that led to a nearly five-year gap where I didn’t touch a paintbrush. The feeling of returning to art after that time is hard to describe, but it was profound. Even during this hiatus, though, art never fully left me; it remained a hobby, something I would occasionally return to, but not my focus.Then, a few years ago, a personal tragedy shifted my perspective. It’s something we all face eventually: the big question of what we truly want to do with our lives. It was a question that hit me hard and forced me to examine my path.At the funeral of a friend, I heard a story that left an indelible mark on me. His manager spoke during the eulogy and shared a conversation he had once had with my friend. The manager had asked, "Why do you do this? There’s not much financial reward in it." My friend, a FIFA soccer referee before the age of 30, simply replied, "I do it because I love it." That simple answer stuck with me, a reminder that doing what you love is the key to a fulfilled life.That moment was a turning point, and it led to the creation of U R U Studio.For me, creativity has always been a refuge, a place of peace and personal healing. In recent years, I’ve begun to explore mixed media with a touch of abstract expression. The symbolism in art fascinates me—the way viewers interpret a piece, how they relate to it, and what emotions or memories it evokes. The saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” has never felt truer.My journey into photography has only deepened my appreciation for the world around me. It’s made me more attuned to the details I once overlooked—particularly the play of shadow and light, which I now love to capture through my lens.As I continue to explore my creative process, I realize it’s all about an inner desire to let my thoughts spill onto the canvas or paper. Whether I’m working with mixed media, oils, or photography, each medium offers something unique. It’s a journey I enjoy refining with every piece. I want my art to evoke emotion in the viewer—whether it's a deep feeling or simply a thought-provoking question: What do you see?Recently, I've turned my attention to the art styles and techniques of history. Exploring the works of famous artists from different periods has reignited my passion for creation. This discovery has given me a fresh sense of inspiration, and it’s this inspiration I want to share with you.Through my monthly art kits and classes, I hope to provide more than just the tools for creating art. I want to offer an opportunity to dive deeper into the rich history of art, explore various techniques, and ultimately inspire your own artistic journey.This is my invitation to you—to join me, to create, to explore, and to find inspiration in art that goes beyond the surface. Let’s discover together.