Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to April Cutler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
April, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Earning a full time living is very possible but you have to be committed to the craft. I absolutely love creating murals and creating music, but in order to make a full time living you have to sacrifice many daily activities and family time to make it happen. I know it is possible, but I’m trying to find the sweet spot where I can do the creative jobs I love and also still have time with my family. Balance is where I’m at. Seeking jobs that allow me to have the passion for creativity and not get burn out, and still be able to be present with my family. I guess I’m a part timer until I find that window of balance.
April, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I always have been a creative person. When I was young I use to write songs and create art all the time. I won a few county fairs with art work when I was a child. The songwriting side., well I hid that because I didn’t want people to hear me sing or listen to my songs. I once was told singing wasn’t my thing by a choir teacher, so I let fear guide me.
In high school I took a few art classes with an amazing teacher , Randy Simmons. He made me feel unstoppable and I learned so many mediums from him. Hands down the best art teacher ever. He brought out my artistic abilities.
After high school I went to college to be an elementary teacher. I never was able to think art or music was a profitable or good career choice. I really don’t remember anytime being offered the idea of a creative pathway to seek. I finished my teaching degree and graduated fully pregnant with our first child. I tried to find a teaching job, but was unsuccessful. Then after a year of subbing, I became a momma, again. Then, my husband and I, agreed that staying at home with our babies was, what we both thought, would be best for our children.. I was thrilled to be with my babies. The education sitting stagnate never bothered me because my mom always said education is something no-one can take from you.
Well, after my youngest was about 3 my mom could see I was so into being a good momma that I wasn’t making time for other things I loved. She said , “go grab a pencil and sketch for an hour. I will watch my grandbabies.” Well, I did and got lost sketching a beautiful rose. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. She said never stop. It’s a gift you have and you must honor it. Along with art, she always would try to get me to sing. She said “your voice is like Faith Hill, and I’m gonna record you and send it to Nashville.” I laughed because mommas are suppose to believe in their babies with a fire and she did.
Just before my youngest sons first birthday my mom passed away from side affects of chemo. Yes , this was a heart changer. I was broken. I wanted to keep her spirit alive and honor her , so I listened to what she alway felt was my gift. I started painting. I would get so lost in creating that the heartache eased each piece I made. Then people started buying them, and I felt I could possibly make this an at home profitable business.
I did random canvas art, wine glasses, Christmas ornaments, and at the same time I started listening to the songwriting side of myself. I wanted the fear gone that held me back from singing, so I could sing freely . I did many karaoke contest and finally won one. The fear was gone. I didn’t stop there. I didn’t like singing other people’s songs , so I began writing my own. All at the same time , I was trying to be a great mom and wife.
The balance was hard to keep up with on artistic side because three boys and making art pieces (that were mostly glass) , didn’t align. I would work after they went to bed and before they got up in morning. I backed off the pursuing selling pieces and just did random art projects for awhile. I was exhausted and burn out. I needed to find my balance.
I picked up music more for awhile. I wrote songs while kids were sleeping and was determined to learn guitar. I became pretty good at basic chords, so I started pursuing singing live. In the beginning it was open mics and local festivals singing. I actually made my first payment for singing, but it was at a funeral. The second job was another funeral. My father in law jokingly said , “Stay away from me you are the funeral singer, and I don’t want that.” It was the beginning of singing opportunities, so I sang all heart and took whatever openings came.
For a few years after mom passing a few of my siblings went through addiction problems and I was struggling with finding boundaries to help them but protect my family at same time . Mostly during that time I wrote songs. It was my way of healing through watching my siblings battle addiction. I wrote song after song whenever I had an issue I had to deal with or heal from.
Within all the boundary setting and raising babies, I was also substitute teaching once our youngest was in school. I was known as the art and music substitute and was often asked to do those positions when the arose. I actually took over elementary music position for two 6 month sessions. I loved seeing how music and art made children happy. It made me happy, too. Art and music helped me heal and watching kids create also made me happy to be a part of.
During COVID shutdown, I painted lots and wrote lots. I shared songs and time lapse art. It seemed shortly after that time , I was asked to do more murals. One of the first big ones was on the side of a building in Port Huron. The owner was the best! She told me to value what I do and never underestimate my gift. The next was at a local coffee shop , Lexington Coffee Co, that i created a flower mural. My sweet friend owned it and loved my art, so she trusted me to create. It seemed like from there more and more people requested murals , canvas art, or window art. I gave up the glass ornaments, vases, and wine glasses and started bigger projects. Within the last four years I’ve done several home and building murals. I’ve done many building murals, large butterfly , American flag, flower walls, and nurseries. I love them!!! It’s so rewarding to me to see a sketch be turned into a full side of a building or room. I don’t think art is restricted to just walls and canvas but I’ve even collaborated with a moc pie artist, Himemade Pies by Kala, to slap art designs on pies. Anything is a canvas. I also help out often with the local high/middle school theater set design. A friend of mine is the director and she has incredible talent for theater. She says this is what I’m thinking, and I use these art skills to help her create these sets with an artistic splash. Watching her vision come together one color at a time and all the hard work that goes into making the set by all crew is worth ever second of time I’m able to help.
Now I know I have the knowledge to create large murals and write songs, so I do a little of both often. The murals pay better than songs, but if I keep putting time into the craft, then I will see the transition into it being more profitable. Although, the payment I get just from being able to create and see what these creations whether it’s music or art do for others is worth more than a dollar could define. I love how art and music changes people’s minds and moods. It’s kinda magical. Each person sees art and hears music with such a different perspective. One person may see a flower and think of her grandma and another may see the same flower and be brought to a vacation in Hawaii. Its pretty amazing to me how these creations can affect someone beyond me.
Last year I was asked to be a mentor artist in port Huron guiding a young muralist. It was taking my teaching degree and art and slapping them together. It was a great opportunity to show an artist how to create murals and also let her do her own art. She was great to work with and the project was something I was very proud of being a part of.
The large murals are my favorite to do. I did a large flower mural on a building in port Huron Michigan. I loved the experience so much! I think the best part was how the community was altered just by viewing these flowers. I had a lady come over to me crying. She said, “ I’ve been depressed and today I look out thinking I’d see the same boring brick wall that is sad, but today you painted a huge sunflower. I love sunflowers and instantly my heart was so happy. I can’t thank you enough for using your gift. Everyday I can wake to a beautiful cherry garden of flowers.” She made me want to paint the whole town. If one mural could move another that much… I would slap paint everywhere. I know that’s not legal but it made me want to keep doing community murals.
I continue to pick up any opportunity for singing and creating murals I can. I’ve done a few local songwriter sessions and I have been asked to perform in Detroit at Aretha’s Jazz cafe for Singers in the Round where I can share my original creations. I absolutely love sharing originals.
I’d say the art is gaining more profit than the music but to if do both and balance being true to myself, a good mom, good wife , good family member, good community member, and good friend is what I keep working on balance. I actually am working on a painting that will be a cover of a song I’m gonna release.
Right now I am gonna keep singing and painting and see where each take me. Just keep doing what I love and see where the doors take me.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal our mission is to keep creating art and music and inspire others to do the same. Follow your heart and soul. Do what you love. An art piece or song has so much value beyond words. I hope more people value art and music and realize the power they both have to change this world. Art and music is seen by many as a “hobby” and not a Career but without many artistic avenues this world would be missing lot of what we rely on daily. First thing people turn on in car is their radio… that’s music… your entire car design… that’s an artists drawing… your building you go into… another artist. I hope more people follow their passion for art and music and are valued as professionals not hobby artists who just do it for fun. It is fun but deserves so much more credit.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think the most rewarding aspect of being a n artist or songwriter is knowing what you’ve created helps or moves another. It’s kind of magical. I had a song once that made a lady call her mom after 10 years of no contact. Just by listening to the words I wrote triggered her to want to mend a relationship with her mom. She shared that story with me and I alway hold that idea close to my heart. Knowing what I can do may help one person beyond me is beyond rewarding. If I can create something song or art and brighten or change another’s day or change the future for them for the better … I can’t put a dollar sign to that. It’s priceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/aprilc_songs?igsh=MXFuejR0djhkbXV5MA==
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april_cutlers_art?igsh=b3E2ZjNtb2F1M3Rl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064545530526&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aprilcutlerssongs?si=MsqJ4bDDfm3ICN7Q
- Other: Facebook singer/songwriter :
https://www.facebook.com/AprilCsongs?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
Instagram singer songwriter :
https://www.instagram.com/aprilc_songs?igsh=MXFuejR0djhkbXV5MA==YouTube Art:
https://youtube.com/@aprilcutlersart?si=IO5Mf7_NhARFS2Eh
Image Credits
Yorg Kerasiotis – photo of me