We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful April Borchelt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with April below.

April, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

In my youth, I was asked the question on multiple occasions, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” From elementary school through high school, I was between being a veterinarian or an artist. I am lucky in the fact that my parents were encouraging either way so the decision fell to me. In the end, I chose artist because I felt like I had a gift for it, and it came naturally. My thought stream for careers in the arts didn’t start till after high school when I found an interest in animation. Unfortunately, I didn’t heavily pursue that dream, nor know where to start, till my senior year in college while I was getting a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree. After successfully pursuing many artistic avenues to build a career for myself as an artist, I did reached burn out on occasion. I think the worst hit during 2019/2020 when I decided to leave my full time artist position at Hi-Rez Studios to become an independent artist and when everything shut down (also in an artistic sense) during the pandemic. During this time, I was very close to hanging up the artistic hat to pursue a job that didn’t require so much creative energy. I was almost willing to become a shelf stocker at Target…and I even applied. But God was telling me otherwise. I was focusing so much on what others thought, artistically and creatively, that I was starting to become depressed and unhappy in what I made. When I made the decision to let my art career go, give God control and create with Him in mind, it all started falling into place. I now feel much more secure, thankful, and driven since letting go of the world’s view of success and focusing on what God’s plan was. Now, through pursuing different avenues of art including contract gigs like board game illustration, physical distribution of my work, and an online shop, I can happily say I am a thriving full time artist. Would I want to do a regular job in the future? Who knows? For now I’m happy where I am and if I’m lead to follow a new path, whether that’s just being a full time Mom or becoming an exotics veterinarian, I am confident knowing that my identity doesn’t rest on my career. My identity is in in Christ alone and that brings me a multitude of peace compared to placing my value on a successful career in the world’s eyes. Because of this change, I am happy to see my creative side thrive once again.

April, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an illustrator artist based in Woodstock, Georgia and trained with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Drawing and Painting at the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State University. Nature, animals, and my faith are some of my biggest inspirations that find their way in my personal work. I also love creating pieces that reflect a whimsical fantasy, where you can envision epic orchestral music playing in the background while looking at the piece.

Being traditionally trained, I ended up teaching myself the digital medium to pursue larger companies artistically. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure to work with clients and companies such as; Nickelodeon, Hi-Rez Studios, Alter Reality Games, The Deck of Many, Starling Games, Gallant Knight Games, and many more. My work has been featured in multiple publications, book covers, board games, and recently recognized in Infected By Art. My personal art continues to be exhibited in galleries around Atlanta as well as available through my online shops.

From traditional to digital, my style has a large range and I’m always up to tackle a new challenge! I’d say a strength of mine is my versatility. Because I’m able to match and reflect many different styles it allows me to work well within client based work.

One of my most favorite projects to work on recently has been board game art. I’ve always had an affinity for trading card games and art with a purpose. Seeing my own work used for not just aesthetic purposes but for functionality has been a great joy. Recently, I completed working on a new game coming out called Bark Avenue by TerreDice games and it was a huge pleasure to be able to bring part of the game to life artistically! I hope to continue to be a part of more board game projects in the future!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

During my career as an artist I’ve found that creativity and talent can sometimes move away from each other. Before my professional training in college, I would have considered myself a very creative person but one who lacked technical skill. After college, the intense training and technical knowledge I gained actually dulled some of my creativity. I’ve sometimes found myself stuck on something looking “correct” over it being creatively free. Now, I’ve learned to be free within the “gray” area of creativity. There is no “right” or “wrong” in art as long as it achieves its purpose in creation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about being an artist in the creative field is the endless opportunities. I’ve really enjoyed being able to dabble in multiple areas of the arts and find it rewarding to have a wide range of outlets. As a self employed artist, I also have the luxury to make my own schedule that fits within my work/life balance. There’s lots of freedom in being an artist and I’m thankful to have a career based around a passion of mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aprilrainstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilrainart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilrainborchelt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg8LNZAidqGf5Sqg5q2-YPA
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AprilRainStudios

Image Credits
Photo Credit: April Borchelt