Born in Taiwan, Candy Yu was first inspired by her primary school teacher's enthusiasm for art.  She focused on academics and graduated from National Taiwan University.  After college, she married and moved to the United States.  She began her graduate studies in computer science while working in the high-tech industry in San Jose, California.  After leaving the computer industry, she enrolled in a watercolor class and became enthralled with the medium.

 

Candy worked with autistic children for the Berryessa School District from 2002 to 2007, incorporating art into their curriculum.  She has since attended watercolor workshops and taught children how to watercolor.

 

She enjoys painting watercolor on different surfaces both at home and in plein air.  She is a member of East Valley Artists, the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, and the Chinese American Art Association.  She has received numerous awards in juried art shows for her watercolor paintings, including AVArtFest and the Triton Museum Midsummer Art Festival.  She received the Sponsor's Award and People's Choice Award at the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society Annual Show in 2008.  She also was awarded first place in watercolor and the People's Choice Award at the East Valley Artists Annual Show in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2019.  In 2003, 2010, 2017, and 2018, she was named Artist of the Year by her peers and fellow members of the East Valley Artists.