I’m April Kleven,

The hands and heart behind The Art of April.

I'm a multi-passionate artist.

I enjoy printmaking, watercolors, & painting, but my first and truest love is CLAY.

As a busy mother of five, I shelved working with clay for almost two decades - I couldn’t figure out how to marry motherhood and artistry until I felt like I was starving for creativity after my 5th child was born.

I honestly thought I'd forgotten how to be creative, but my hands craved clay, ink and paint like my tastebuds crave high quality chocolate. 

I started experimenting with blockprinting, screenprinting & I signed up for a local pottery class in 2018. 

Oh, to have my hands in clay again!!!

It brought me back to life, and it saved my sanity as I navigated the stress of parenting headstrong teens and later the grief of losing my Father in August 2020. 

It became apparent to me that giving oneself time & space to pause & create regularly is crucial for emotional well being.

As I've waded through thick PPDA & CPTSD after my daughter was born, I learned that surrounding myself with beautiful, inspiring works of art - both functional art that makes the mundane feel meaningful and decorative art that lifts my spirits is just a crucial for wellness as nutrition, movement & connection!

Which is why I began sharing my art, as well as my creative mindfulness practices - it felt selfish to keep them to myself.

My fluid, intuitive pottery & painting style have evolved into what is known as “Wabi-Sabi” - an intentional embracing of the evidence of having been handmade - allowing my work to be perfectly imperfect - proof that each piece is lovingly hand made by a living, breathing human being.

My hope is that you will feel simultaneously more peaceful & enlivened, more connected & creatively inspired as you incorporate the treasures I create & design into your daily life.

Much love...from my family to yours,

- April Kleven