Watch our exhibition come to life

Top Row: Elaine Weiner-Reed's Painting
Bottom Row: April Rimpo's Paintings

The happy artists,
Elaine Weiner-Reed and April M Rimpo

  

It's Like Magic!

The arrival of 

PORTRAITS OF LIFE: Once Upon a Story

with April M Rimpo and Elaine Weiner-Reed

We wish it was this fast to install an exhibition. Between the two days there was at least 5 of us working on installing my and Elaine Weiner-Reed's exhibition at Baltimore County Arts Guild's venue The Clubhouse.  That doesn't include the countless hours selecting the work and deciding how to pair each piece to make them all shine.  Watch and enjoy this time-lapse film of part of the installation.

Portrait's of Life: Once Upon a Story

Join us at the reception tomorrow, Saturday, November 13, from 3 - 5PM.

The Clubhouse

10 St Timothy Lane

Catonsville, MD

Park on the North side of the building and enter from there.  The entrance on the East end is currently closed. 

My thanks to all those who helped us make this a reality. You know who you are.

Video: Thanks to Lorraine Imwold

Installation Day
At Left: Duane Winfield with Elaine's painting
Above: Lorraine Imwold

  

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Saturday Watercolor Studio classes at HorseSpirit Arts Gallery

As one of the feature artists at HorseSpirit Art
s Gallery show "Lines and Curves" I did a demonstration of watercolor painting at the gallery. There were five people who attended and to my surprise most stayed for the full three hour session.  I am used to people coming buy, watching for 15 minutes, then wandering off to check out other things in the gallery, but this set of people were full of questions. I love it when that happens so I know that what I am sharing is what they want to understand. 

I demonstrated four different paintings at different stages of completeness so I could show how watercolors build from one layer to the next.  The gallery manager captured some of the session on video that I am sharing here.

In the last few months the gallery had asked me to return as a teacher in their classroom on the second floor of the gallery.  When four the those who watched the demonstration also asked Robin Holliday, owner and curator of HorseSpirit Arts Gallery, whether I had classes at the gallery, she asked again about teaching.

I'm happy to say we found some dates that worked for me and the gallery, so I'll be teaching a Watercolor Studio class starting in January. There will be four 3-hour sessions, where artists can work on their own projects under my guidance. I will do demonstrations both to teach some skills and to help give examples the students request to assist with their paintings. Learn more at HorseSpirit Arts Gallery's Eventbrite site.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Preserving a Time" Watercolor 20" X 10" by April M Rimpo

Preserving a Time © April M. Rimpo

Preserving a Time

Watercolor

20" X 10" painting

One of my favorite quotes about art is by Ivan Lissner, who said, "The secret of great art - to rob the moment of its impermanence." That was my goal with Preserving a Time. Sometimes Mother Nature puts on such a vibrant show that I must capture it. That was the case when the sky started to turn behind the beautiful clock tower. A gorgeous setting made better by the way the light enhanced the clouds with beautiful lavender and coral shades that picked up the color of the roof and shadows thrown by the trees. I amplified the sky and created a taller tree to cast a larger shadow on the building. I will remember this forever and hope my painting brings back wonderful memories for you of similar places painted by nature.

Enjoy my time-lapse video of me creating this painting below.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Time to Breath" 20" X 10" Watercolor by April M Rimpo

Time to Breathe © April M. Rimpo

Time to Breathe

Watercolor

20" X 10" painting

Premiering at HorseSpirit Arts Gallery September 12, 2021

Inspiration occurs from something as simple as a reflection in the water. The teal hull of the boat is what made me stop and notice this scene. We were walking through the outskirts of a beautiful town by the shore to meet some friends when the reflection caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks and started to take photographs from a few different angles. I primarily wanted the capture the sailboat and its reflection but including the surrounds provided a backdrop essential to set the stage. When getting ready to paint the scene I decided to add the light streaking through the clouds to add drama to the sky and provide an interesting cross pattern where the mast and rigging intersected with the light. Capturing the quiet spirit of the place was essential to me. I hope you get lost in the beauty of the place.

Check out my video on this painting. It starts with me describing my design then transitions to a time-lapse video of the painting process.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Parade Play" watercolor by April M Rimpo

 

Parade Play by April M Rimpo

Parade Play

Watercolor

27" X 28" painting

42" x 42" mat and frame

Parades and New Orleans come hand-in-hand. We all know the crowds that come to watch these parades, but for me the painting is all about the musicians and local dignitaries who participate. I love the clothing and colors showcased in these parades: purple and orange always being prevalent. Wanting to represent the music and energy of these events without including the crowds led me to consider how to “show” the music and help you “hear” it in my painting, resulting in the burst of color and “confetti” shown. Although not a conscious decision to leave out people because of the pandemic I can’t help but wonder if that may have been in the back of my mind as a quiet undertone.

Knowing there were 466 images submitted for this exhibition, I am honored that Parade Play was selected by juror Anne Abgott for the Baltimore Watercolor Society's 2021 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition to be presented from June 12 - August 31. 

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Fishing Day"

Fishing Day by April M Rimpo

I grew up with a father who loved to fish. He didn't get to do it terribly often, but when he did he was the happiest I ever saw him. He either went out on a boat he owned with one of my uncles or went to a quiet spot, without the chaos shown here on this fishing pier. My mother's father was also a huge fisherman. He loved to fish on the Jersey shore, just standing on the shore in his waders. I heard so many times about his love of fishing and saw so many pictures of him that I feel like I saw him out there, but in reality I don't think I ever actually saw my grandfather at the shore. It's interesting how family stories become real images to us. His sons followed in his footsteps in their love of fishing as did one of my uncles sons, who still fish nearly daily, one still in waders in New Jersey, the other now in Florida.

Although my family didn't fish off of fishing piers, I find the interaction and camaraderie on this pier mesmerizing, where fishing is almost a team sport.

Fishing Day was selected for the Watercolor Art Society of Houston's exhibition in 2019 and for the Illinois Watercolor Societies 37th National Exhibition 2021.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Heritage a 24" X 24" watercolor

Heritage a 24" X 24" watercolor (c) April M Rimpo

Heritage
Watercolor
24" X 24" painting
26" X 26" silver metal frame

Heritage is part of my Inner Stories portrait series where the goal is not a traditional portrait of a person but a look at the story of the person. These paintings will be included in an exhibit at the Columbia Art Center in 2021. Elaine Weiner-Reed and I are joining forces again in this exhibit that will expand one our "Every Painting is a Story"/"Every Painting is a Song" initiative that you first experienced at our joint show in 2019.

Sometimes the stories in my "Inner Stories" series are my emotional response to that person, how I feel they are inside. Others, like this, look back to her roots growing up in Vietnam. 

The inlays that surround her are derived from a Mother-of-Pearl inlay piece in her home that tells the story of the Trưng sisters, National heroes in Vietnam. They were Vietnamese military leaders who ruled for three years after rebelling in AD 40 against the first Chinese domination of Vietnam.

I loved the story of these brave women and wanted to represent the model as though her story was also preserved in Mother-of-Pearl. To me she represents a strong brave women in today's world. 

"Heritage" is included in the 2021 Visionary Women exhibition at the Columbia Art Center. The exhibit will be on display through Mar 26, 2021.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

" Beach Vacation" 11" X 24" watercolor

Beach Vacation by April M Rimpo

Beach Vacation

Watercolor, Varnished

11" X 24" painting

In 1.25” wide brushed silver frame, overall frame size is 13.25” X 26.25”

Beach Vacation brings back memories of many years of trips to the beach. My first beach trips were to the beautiful white sands on the Atlantic City Beach, way before the casinos moved there. The beaches in New England, where I grew up, had tan sand, while those in Oregon were slightly more rock and I found myself mesmerized by the Pacific Ocean, not paying much attention of the color of the sand.

Being the designer of this painting, I decided to give a rose colored cast to the sand, just for the fun of it, although I do believe I’ve seen coral colored beaches somewhere over the years.

I hope my painting takes you to a beach you enjoyed in your lifetime.

This painting was selected for the Georgia Watercolor Society National Show 2021 by John Salminen.

Interested in April's artwork or taking one of her classes? Consider becoming a Studio Friend by signing up for her weekly email. April segments her newsletter so you can select topics you'd like to hear about when you sign up. For those who Select the General Interest topic you will receive emails about twice-monthly. If you are only interested in classes, then the emails will be much less frequent discussing upcoming classes and how to register. Thank you for your support of April M Rimpo Art. Oh, and please be sure to click on the link in a second email to verify your interest in joining my newsletter. Without the verification you will be left in a limbo state where you will not receive my emails and I can't complete the verification on your behalf. If you receive a response that you are already subscribed, email me to confirm and I can send you a different link to update your profile and get the verification email resent to you.

Contact April and see more of her art on her website

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.