April MacQueen

April MacQueen was born in Vancouver, but spent most of her growing up years in Ontario. April knew at an early age that art was a very important part of her life. She would often spend hours drawing and sketching everything from horses to the farm down the road. Her parents, both amateur artists, encouraged her by providing lots of art books and materials.

After her father’s early death, she gave up her dreams of becoming an artist. It wasn’t until many years later that she began to find her way back to her passion. Spending time in major galleries in Paris, France, and in Belgium and Holland, made her realize how important art was to her. Returning to Canada, she spent time at the National Gallery in Ottawa, studying the works of major painters. In 1977, she completed an art, drawing, and painting course at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. In 1992, she completed a life drawing course at Carleton University in Ottawa, and in 1993, a life drawing class at Loyalist College.

During this time she met a Russian artist, and began three years of study with him. His training, commitment and encouragement helped to reinforce her desire to make art her career.

After working for Bell Canada for many years, April took early retirement to focus on her art. She set up a studio with artist John Mortenson, who she continues to learn from and study with. In 1999, they decided to leave Ontario and move to British Columbia, discovering that this was a place to which they both wanted to return, and becoming partners in art as well as life.

Since moving to Vancouver Island, she is finally pursuing her lifelong dream of being a full time artist. Working in oils and acrylics, April paints a variety of subjects using a close-up perspective, bold form and colour. One of her former teachers has described her work as romantic and sensitive.