Check Out April Hopkins’s Story

Hi April, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It was never a question if I would pursue a career in the arts. I was heavily involved in my town’s art program as a kid and began oil painting as a freshman in high school. Once I came to the point where I needed to choose a major, I decided to get my degree in industrial design. I wanted the security of a more practical career choice. But through the years, I never lost my love of drawing and painting and continued to practice figure drawing and painting as time allowed. When I was younger, I struggled to find my place in an art scene dominated by conceptual and abstract art. I was drawn to a slower-paced approach to art, one that is more about excellence in technique and portrayal of beauty. I was successful as a designer, but it wasn’t feeding my creative soul.

Once my daughter was born, I was searching yet again for local figure drawing classes, and I discovered the Texas Academy of Figurative Art. Finally, here were my people! I learned there was a renewed interest in realism and traditional painting techniques once taught by the old masters. That is how I found myself back at school in an atelier, where I could learn the skills I was aching to practice. Now, I am balancing motherhood, freelance design and portrait commissions as I pursue my painting certificate.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have always had a strong sense of self and followed the path that felt the most “right” to me at the time. I haven’t struggled as some do, and I am grateful for that. The most challenging time has been the past four years because I have a small child. In that way, I chose the worst possible time in my life to make a shift in career focus! (I have very vivid memories of pumping in the bathroom during model breaks at the atelier because my ten-month-old was still nursing.) But, at the same time, few things bring your goals into hyper-focus, quite like having a child. That alone has given me a very “now-or-never” mentality. I want my children to see me thriving as the best version of myself. One of the ways we can be a great parent is by modeling excellence. If they see my dedication—the hours I put into my work—it will help them understand the fulfillment that comes from challenging yourself.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a figurative and portrait artist. My chosen media are charcoal and oil painting. I have devoted myself to excellence in draftsmanship and painting. I have a high bar set for myself and others in terms of skill. For figurative artists, the strongest artwork achieves big ideas first and foremost if it is rendered skillfully and beautifully. This only comes with practice and rigorous study. My collectors see my dedication to craft and choose my artwork for that reason. I love to draw figures and faces! Nothing satisfies me more than bringing the beauty of the human form to the page. I love working with different models in the studio. I strive to capture a likeness that is both accurate and expressive. Drawing the figure is incredibly challenging, so if a piece I’m working on turns out okay, I am pleased. I also like to draw children because it is such an honor to capture a memory for a parent. As a mother myself, I know how special it is to see your children through the eyes of an artist or photographer. It’s one way to hold onto those fleeting moments when they are young. The artwork becomes a part of the family history.

How do you define success?
For me, success means growth. My goal is to become a masterful painter, and there is no endpoint to that goal. I must constantly be pushing myself. If I am stagnant, something is not working, and I need to reassess and recalibrate.

Contact Info:

• Email: april@aprilhopkins.com
• Website: aprilhopkins.com
• Instagram: @aprilhopkins.art

Image Credits
Photo of the artist by Carissa Byers