CJ METZGER : ARTIST + DESIGNER
My name is Candace (CJ) Metzger and I’m a painter, illustrator, writer and designer living and creating in my studio in Los Angeles. A native to California, I was raised in a family of makers, artists, authors & teachers. I grew up mostly playing with my toys in my families hillside garden in Eagle Rock, creating imaginary worlds alongside MY SISTER MISS MINDY. I also spent time doing projects with my artist mother, and building contraptions with my engineer/mad scientist father in his well stocked garage. From and early age I knew a creative future was my destiny. “Don’t tell people your Dreams. Show Them” has always been my mantra, and I strive to make everything I touch visually memorable. My creative journey has been anything but cookie cutter, and seeking new creative experiences, sharing new ideas through my unique artistic lens continues to be my passion.
In the 1990’s I began a journey of professionally making art for a living. I started showing work in street fairs, small galleries, Comic-Con, and as my audience grew I built up a lovely group of patrons and supporters, and also learned there was more to the art world than just fine art painting. From there, I began branching out into illustration and graphic design and looking for ways to bring my creative talent to the world.
I’ve spend the past few decades making art, working as a designer for prolific companies like Hasbro and Mattel, while being focused on family and raising an amazing daughter. I’ve starred in and curated countless art shows, have had my work published in the Pasadena weekly, LA Times, and have Children’s books published in collaboration with Baby Tattoo Books, released vinyl toys at Comic-con, and created numerous commissioned art portraits. You can see my extensive design portfolio here.
Currently, I work out of an enchanting studio built by my artist grandparents. Working in a space with giant windows that is filled to the brim with artwork, vintage books and a life time of collected artifacts is a continued source of inspiration. Please visit our evolving and growing website at Studio 604 Website.
FINE ART BIO + CV
MY CURRENT BODY OF WORK FEATURES PAINTINGS & DESIGNS ARE NARRATIVE, OFTEN REVEALING SWEET, WONDROUS AND SOMETIMES SOMBER STORIES OF HUMANS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ANIMALS AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. I USE ACRYLICS, COLLAGE, MIXED MEDIA, AND DIGITAL METHODS, BLENDING SURREAL AND WHIMSICAL IMAGERY IN A LAYERED, DREAMY AND ALLURING WAY. THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND I HOPE MY WORK TRANSPORTS YOU TO AN IMAGINATIVE AND FARAWAY PLACE – JUST LIKE IT DOES FOR ME WHEN I MAKE IT.
Past Fine Art Exhibitions
Leanna Lin's Wonderland Gallery Eagle Rock - Secret Lives of Dolls, November 2023, + Various Solo and group shows 2009-2023
Industrious:Folke - Family Group Show at The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, 2019 (both featured in, as well as curator)
Pop Gallery - Santa Fe, NM - Wild Rumpus Group Show, 2013
Whole 9 Gallery- various group shows 2008-2011
WWA Gallery, Culver City, CA – “Trappings ” Group show currated by CJ Metzger & Miss Mindy, 2010
Pop Gallery - Santa Fe, NM - Pop Femme Show, 2009-2010
Gallery Revisited 4 year Anniversary Show, Silverlake, CA – Group Show 2008
The Wonderful World Art Gallery, Culver City, CA – “Carnivale of the Strange” Group show with Tim Burton and others
Meltdown Comics, CA - LA Myth Show - group Show 2007
Pop Gallery - Santa Fe, NM - Sugar Coated Strange - Pop Femme Show, 2008
The Hive Gallery - Downtown Los Angeles, CA - Featured Artist
Black Maria Gallery - Atwater, CA - Menace of Childhood Group show
The Wind-up Gallery. Phoenix, AZ - Unfourgettable Show - 2007
The Hive Gallery - Downtown Los Angeles, CA - Group Show 2007
Gallery Revisited - Silverlake, CA – Secret Lives of Dolls - Joint Show 2007
Gallery Nucleus - Alhambra, CA –Power in Numbers Show - Group Show 2007
Gallery Revisited – part of various salon style shows. 2006 - current
Center for the Arts - Eagle Rock, Route 66 Art Auction 2004-2006
Center for the Arts - Eagle Rock Women’s Work II Exhibit - August 2003
Gallery Ophelia - Girlhood Revisited – Show with Miss Mindy 2003
Gallery Figeroa – Plaisirs de l’imagination – show with Miss Mindy & Katrina Alexy 2002
Lankershim Arts Center - Group Show October 2001
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock - Women’s Work Exhibit August 2001
Affair of Art – Ryman Foundation Auction at Disney Imagineering Campus2001
Art from the Heart -Chase Place Foundation Children's Hospital – 6th Annual Art Auction 2001
Cannibal Flower – Art and Performance Space – ongoing exhibitions
Group Holiday show at Sirens Coffee House – La Canada December 2000 - January 2001
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock - Futura Carnival - joint-exhibition November 2000
Northeast InvitationalII– Group exhibition, City of Los Angeles Century Gallery 2000
Paintings and Assemblages - Solo show at Sirens Coffee House – La Canada December 1999
No Ho Nights- North Hollywood Night Street Art Show June and August 1999
Collage, Mixed Media and Sculpture Show – Long Beach Arts – Juror Kim Abeles 1998
COMA Gallery- “Daily Exposures”Student Gallery at Cal. State Los Angeles 1998