MIXED MEDIA BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Born and raised in a small town in Northwestern Ontario, April Matheson has been drawing since before she could talk. Her early years were spent honing her skills in realism, but she always felt a pull towards the abstract. This tension between realism and abstraction has shaped her artistic journey, leading her to develop innovative processes that allow for a more collaborative relationship between artist and medium. In her recent works, April has broken free from the technical constraints of realism, embracing a creative freedom that incorporates collage, acrylic, and oil. Her unique ‘remove & reveal’ process—developed through experimental, and often messy, exploration—allows her to layer and unearth elements within her work, creating depth and texture that evoke both emotion and movement. April’s current series of mountain scapes is a tribute to her West Coast home base, reflecting the rugged beauty of the landscape and the personal hurdles she’s overcome, particularly her journey to break up with perfectionism. These works are not just representations of nature but are imbued with a sense of liberation and self-discovery, capturing the raw, untamed spirit of the mountains and the artist herself. Her art is a testament to the power of letting go, of embracing the imperfections that make each piece unique, and of finding beauty in the unpredictable paths that creativity can take.