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