We were lucky to catch up with Canica Designs By Caitlyn Capulong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Canica Designs, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up in the Asian culture, the stereotype of your elders wanting you to be a Doctor is true. When I was about to go to college the constant talk about being a doctor or in the healthcare industry was heavy. But I was so lucky to have parents that allowed me to have the freedom to choose the career path I wanted, despite what they wanted for me. At a young age, my parents always encouraged creativity. They’d always do Arts & Crafts like origami or drawing/painting with me, so I was introduced to the Arts as young as I can remember. When I was just 5, my mom kept a clipboard binder in the backseats of the car for my sister and I to draw during the extremely long traffic drives in Cali. I was so excited to get in that car so that I could open up my art supplies and start creating with no distractions. This is something I still do today, whenever I travel, I always bring my small sketchbook and pencil bag filled with oil pastels, watercolors, etc. Being able to grow up artistically free as a child has brought me peace and a way to express myself. It is very valuable to me and something I’d want to carry on to my future children.

Canica Designs, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Art has always been the one consistent thing in my life. In 2019 I began taking Art and graphic design seriously. I started by creating an Instagram, which is now known as @CanicaDesigns, specifically for my graphic design work and threw in a few artworks from time to time. When I notice people enjoyed my art as much as I did it gave me the confidence to continue to share it with the world. After selling a couple of my paintings to acquaintances I then created my brand Canica Designs and quickly got into digital illustration where I created prints, stickers, pins, shirts, and tote bags that I sold at various local phoenix events. During this time I also became a freelance graphic designer, working with small businesses to grow my portfolio and help enhance their brands. As the years went by I would teach myself a new craft or would challenge myself to create paintings I haven’t done before. Today I now sell my Art in a couple of small business shops in Phoenix and began live painting at a few art events. I continue to vend here and there but mainly moved my business to my e-commerce site CanicaDesigns.com. In my art, I like to illustrate women and femininity; growing up around very strong, independent, powerful, and beautiful women really impacted my art and the way I see the world. I am inspired by people, situations, or just my emotions alone. My favorite mediums to use are Acrylic paint, oil pastels, pen, and digital illustrating.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Not being good enough. The Art/Design industry is very competitive, everyone has their own styles, and being able to stand out from such a huge crowd of talent is hard especially when you don’t believe you’re good enough. I have always struggled with being a perfectionist or feeling that my work simply isn’t good. But once you let go of that lie you slowly become free from it. It has taken me a long time to realize this and unlearn it. I am still dealing with it today, but by accepting yourself, your art, and skills and understanding that there is beauty in being different or not perfect it will slowly help you unlearn the lie of not being good enough.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way to support an artist, in my opinion, is to share their work even if you don’t buy it. Getting their name and look out there would greatly help us smaller artists be seen. Also receiving feedback is another great way that can drive enthusiasm and help an artist continue to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://canicadesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canicadesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canicadesigns
• Other: Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/Caitlyncapulong

Image Credits
Profile photo: Eli Cook