Beyond the Canvas: My First Walk-and-Talk with Artist Kandy G. Lopez

There are certain cultural experiences that stay with you, moments that deepen your appreciation for the arts in a way you didn’t expect. For me, that moment arrived on a Wednesday evening in mid-December. I stepped into the Armory Art Center with my daughter by my side, just as the gallery filled with soft conversation and curiosity, not quite knowing what to expect, but open to being moved.

This was my very first artist walk-and-talk, and I could not have imagined a more powerful introduction. The moment I laid eyes on a life-size fiber portrait, vibrant, layered, and almost breathing under the lights, I knew I was about to experience art in a new way. The artist behind the work was the incredible Kandy G. Lopez, and her exhibition, Past the Eyes, immediately invited me beyond the surface and straight into the heart of her creative world.

Before getting lost in the artwork, the space itself deserves a pause. The Armory Art Center is one of those buildings that feels alive with history. Housed in a stunning 1939 Art Deco structure, it has worn many hats over the decades, from a National Guard Armory to nearly facing demolition before being saved by passionate arts advocates in the late 1980s.

Today, it stands as a true pillar of the cultural community in West Palm Beach, guided by its mission to inspire both the creation and experience of art. In 1992, its historical and cultural importance was formally recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Knowing that history only deepened the meaning of standing there, surrounded by work that speaks so clearly to the present.

Kandy G. Lopez is a multidisciplinary Afro-Caribbean American portrait artist, born to Dominican parents. Her work is a profound exploration of cultural identity, representation, and power, which she investigates through an impressive range of media, including fiber, painting, and glass. Her motivation is deeply personal and rooted in a desire to create change, as she explained in her own words:

"I became a teacher to become a mentor; to be an example of otherness in a career path which lacks representation of POCs. This is another reason why I also create art – to have examples for the future POC artists besides Tanner and Basquiat."

As striking as the portraits were, meeting Kandy G. Lopez herself added an entirely new dimension. She has a calm confidence that feels thoughtful, intentional, and deeply connected to her purpose

Kandy’s journey into fiber art was not planned. It was discovered. She began as a painter, always drawn to capturing people. One day, while working with collage, a stray piece of thread fell onto her work and landed just right, forming what looked like a power line cutting through a cityscape.

That small, accidental moment planted a seed.

Years later, during pregnancy, when oil paints and solvents were no longer an option, she returned to thread and yarn. What began as a necessity evolved into a signature style that feels both tender and monumental all at once.

Up close, her portraits reveal themselves slowly. What looks like a painting from afar becomes a rich landscape of texture when you lean in. Her canvas is a transparent hook rug mesh, a material that reflects her long-standing fascination with transparency, both literal and emotional.

She spoke about how, in graduate school, she painted on glass because she loved that the viewer could see themselves reflected in the work. That same idea carries through here. There are layers, vulnerability, and the understanding that there is always more beneath what we first see.

Her yarns, acrylic, wool, cotton, and polyester, act like different paintbrushes. Some are thick and velvety, others soft and nostalgic, reminiscent of a teddy bear’s fabric. Every portrait begins the same way, with the eyes. That connection is intentional and you feel it immediately.

Even the frames are part of the story. Kandy creates them herself using epoxy resin, embedding dried flowers, cowrie shells, and other materials that extend the narrative beyond the portrait. Nothing is accidental. Everything belongs.

What made the evening so special was not just the art. It was the connection. Being able to ask questions, hear Kandy’s voice, and witness the pride and care she brings to her work shifted the experience entirely. It was not about observing from a distance. It was about being invited in.

The walk-and-talk promised a chance to see through her eyes, and it truly delivered. I left feeling inspired and deeply appreciative of the stories she is committed to telling.

Not only was my first walk-and-talk unforgettable, but it served as a reminder that art is a living conversation, not just something to admire on a wall. Past the Eyes will be on display at the Armory Art Center from November 3 through December 27, 2025, and it is absolutely worth experiencing in person.

More than that, I encourage you to seek out artist talks, studio visits, and moments of creative connection in your own community. When you take the time to listen, to really listen, you may find yourself seeing the world a little differently.

Love your life. Live your style.