“I could write an entire novel of the many creative hats I’ve worn,” says artist April Lavely-Robinson. “As a young child, I would draw for hours.”
Her father was an artist, too—effortlessly sketching mythical creatures and teaching her how to draw animals “while we sat in smoky coffee shops.” Her Grandpa Don was a storyteller, spinning tales about a rabbit who got his ears run over by a farmer’s tractor. “He dreamed of writing children’s books—but sadly, he passed away beforehand.”
Passion for Creating
“A quote that both haunts and motivates me is, ‘The graveyard is the richest place on Earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled,’ she says. “This drives my passion for creating as much as I can in my lifetime.”
On her mother’s side, her grandfather was a talented landscape oil painter: “I inherited all of his art supplies after his passing, and I still use them today.”
Her teens were her most difficult years, she confesses, but becoming a mother changed her life.
After becoming a mom, she went back to her roots of visual art but began experimenting with many mediums. Everything from sewing hats to carving gourds and cattle bone. “I tried out abstract art using alcohol inks and even made my own henna paste after learning the art of mehndi,” she says.
“I taught myself how to use digital software for illustration, which I still use today.”
Resident Artist at Ephemera
“April Lavely-Robinson is our first ever six-month resident artist with Ephemera,” says Jasmine Dillavou, curator of artwork.
“With the addition of our new Highlands dining space at COATI Uprise, we've expanded our arts program to now host artists for a longer period of time,” continues Dillavou. “April was the first artist that came to mind for this. She’s an incredible creative. Her work is packed with dark-whimsy, characters and cheeky humor that I think is truly touching.”
“Many things inspire my work, but I often find myself drawing what I simply enjoy looking at," admits Lavely-Robinson. “I have a passion for antiques, vintage poster ads, Halloween, nature and more.”
The artist describes her style as “very fluid.” “My picture book illustrations are whimsical, while my commercial work leans towards realism.”
Lavely-Robinson also is the children’s book illustrator of local author Ahriana Platten’s book The Changing Story.
Ever-Evolving Work
Lindzey Martucci, an avid fan and art collector says, “My partner and I have been collecting April's work for years and have some of her original pieces hanging in our home.”
“Like most of the artists we have hanging on our walls, we love how unique and authentic April's work is and how her work is ever evolving,” Martucci continues. “We see in her work a reflection of things she's experienced and these experiences—whether music, nature, her kids, other mixed-art and just life itself—it lives through her.”
Lavely-Robinson’s art is relatable to a wide community of people. She bravely tries fresh mediums and continues art education and exploration—her art is always refining, and never the same.
“If you get to know April, you will quickly see all those same elements present in who she is as a person,” adds Ephemera’s curator, Dillavou. “Her work spills out of her heart. I think people are reflections of their art and vice versa, and that is ever-present in knowing April.”
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