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Artist Bio

Born and raised in Ohio, April has been intrigued with the art of painting since her youth. April holds a B.A. and is currently working on a Master's degree in Art History.

Oil painting is April's medium of choice; however she occasionally works in mixed media collage, watercolors, and colored pencils. Her subjects usually include landscapes, the human figure, and abstracts. April’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions throughout Columbus and is represented in private collections across the country.

Artist Statement

I am interested in the organic forms found in nature. An old decrepit oak tree, the elegant curve of a woman’s hip, and lush green rolling hills are all things I consider ideals of beauty. My ultimate goal is to present abstractions of these natural forms in a way that elicits an emotional or spiritual response. I constantly look for new ways to portray seemingly mundane subjects to fit my aesthetic vision.

In studying various artists and movements throughout art history I have a wide range of influences. Among my favorite painters are Gustav Klimt, Faith Ringold, Amadeo Mogdiliani, Diego Rivera, Georges Rouault, and (12th century Chinese painter) Ni Tsan. I admire the bold colors of the Fauvists, the accessibility of Keith Haring, and the intuitive aesthetic of the folk and outsider artists.

The process of painting for me is always spontaneous. I first sketch out my subject and the composition on canvas and from there anything goes. Most preconceptions that I haved about color, style and technique change as I go along. I use a variety of mediums but I favor oil paints. I love the sensual quality of oil, the smell, and the way it feels on my fingers. There is a liberation in painting with oils due to the variety of effects that can be achieved. The thing I love most about painting is the constant process of discovery and exploration. Every time I start a new painting I learn something that can be applied to another work. I believe that all artists, no matter how accomplished, should strive to evolve and look to exploring new ways of pursuing their visions.