We know that the job of an artist is, at times, a difficult one. To mediate the world through the stroke of a brush or the snap of a camera is no small feat. We believe in giving artists their flowers, which is why we love to highlight them through an Artist Q&A! We dive into their process and how they created their current piece in the gallery. Please keep reading to learn more about artist Nicole Wells and her artwork in our Scrumptious exhibition, Ode to The Candy Lady!
What was the inspiration behind this piece?
Nicole: “The inspiration for Ode to the Candy Lady came from revisiting a familiar childhood figure and recognizing her deeper significance as an adult. My work often begins with people and their stories, and this piece was no different. With Ode to the Candy Lady, her story was just as important as the candy and snacks themselves. Growing up, I simply knew her as “the candy lady.” It wasn’t until adulthood that I really understood her significance within the Black community and how, in many ways, she was one of the earliest examples of Black female entrepreneurship and resourcefulness.
The candy, snacks, and freeze cups featured in the photographs were chosen with intention. They reflect what many of us remember from childhood and the small rituals tied to visiting the Candy Lady. The final image, a close-up of the Candy Lady’s (my grandmother representing “her”) hand holding a red freeze cup, is especially important to me. That gesture represents care, exchange, and memory. The red freeze cup itself is instantly recognizable and carries its own sense of nostalgia, grounding the work in a shared visual language many people know immediately."
My hope was and is that people who “knew” the Candy Lady would be reminded of their own experiences and stories of her, and that for those unfamiliar with her role, the work might spark curiosity and encourage them to learn more about what she represents within the community.”
How long did it take you to make this piece?
Nicole: “About a week and a half to gather all the different kinds of candy and snacks (these were all very specific and intentional snack selections) and coordinate a shoot with my ‘Candy Lady’.
Describe your creative process.
“My creative process is rooted in storytelling. I usually begin with a person, memory, or moment that stays with me and spend time thinking about what it represents beyond the surface. From there, I consider what details feel essential to telling that story honestly.
For this piece, I was very intentional about what appeared in the frame. I selected specific candy, snacks, and freeze cups based on shared memories and cultural familiarity, and I thought carefully about how each element would resonate visually and emotionally. I also paid close attention to sequencing and how the images would work together to build a narrative rather than stand alone.
I approached editing with restraint. I kept it minimal because the story of her and that time in my life wasn’t about perfection; it was about realness. I wanted the images to feel honest and grounded, allowing space for viewers to connect through memory, recognition, and shared experience.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice when starting your journey as an artist, what would that be? ”I would tell myself to study the greats and learn from them, but not to get lost trying to imitate them. Their work can teach you techniques and how to move with intention, but your own experiences are just as valuable. I’d also remind myself to trust my perspective, trust my eye, and be honest about what I’m drawn to. Rooting my work in my own memories, community, and lived experience has made it more meaningful, and creating my own lane while staying true to who I am has always been my greatest strength as an artist.”
