Meet The Artist: Candice Gray

Meet Candice Gray, the gifted designer behind our charming Christmas postcard this season. Known for her painterly style and joyful approach to colour, she shares her journey into printed textiles, her inspirations from the Oxfordshire countryside, and the heartwarming traditions that make her festive season feel truly special.

Could you share a bit about your background?

After sixth form, I completed a one-year art foundation course, then went on to study printed textiles at Winchester School of Art, graduating in 2019. Since then, I’ve worked with several print studios before establishing my own freelance business.

I’ve always been incredibly creative - art was my favourite subject at school, and part of me always knew I’d end up in a creative role. During my art foundation interview, my tutor suggested that I specialise in printed textiles. At 18, I hadn’t even realised this was an option, but I quickly tailored my work to focus on print design, and that naturally led me to study it at university.

How would you describe your artistic style?

I hand-paint everything, as I love the textures that brushstrokes create. My style is very painterly, and I particularly enjoy watering down my paints to achieve an even more imperfect, hand-drawn effect.

And how has this developed over time?

I developed my style at university, experimenting with different techniques until I found one that felt most authentic to me. Since then, I’ve kept the same style but refined it over the years.

Absolutely! I always say that even the most beautiful prints can fall short without a complementary colour palette. I’m deeply inspired by nature, so I tend to base my palettes on natural colours, adding in a few playful pops for balance.

You have a beautiful way of capturing florals. What is it about flowers and nature that keeps you inspired?

Thank you! I live in a small village in Oxfordshire, surrounded by countryside, so I’m constantly inspired by the natural world around me. The beauty of flowers and nature is ever-changing with the seasons, which keeps me inspired all year round.

I hand-painted the baubles to ensure each brushstroke and imperfection added to the charm. I began with a light sketch of the baubles, then hand-mixed the paints. I love Windsor and Newton gouache for its vibrancy and make sure to keep the paint fairly watered down so it glides smoothly across the paper, enhancing that hand-painted feel.

Lastly, what are you most looking forward to this Christmas season?

Each year, I organise a crafty Christmas afternoon with friends. We gather to paint or make something festive, with music playing and plenty of Christmas snacks! Even on my days off, I love to paint, so it’s one of my favourite traditions.

Candice’s charming postcard is nestled inside each parcel we send out this season. Discover our Christmas Collection or explore more of Candice’s work by visiting her online store.