April Byrd shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
April , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A new client, based in Florida has recently offered to host a private event art show exclusively with my work, later this year on their new 54′ catamaran. The collaboration is still in the works, but I am incredibly excited to do something like this. I cannot help but glance in the rear view mirror to see how far I have come when moments like this pop up. Its such a feeling of accomplishment and gratitude. You truly never know who you will meet in the process of showing and selling your art.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is April Byrd and I am working on my brand Surf Byrds Board Art. I am a painter, aspiring to see my artwork on walls as well as in action. I paint on anything from canvases to surf and skateboards (snowboards coming). My work is most easily recognized by the style in which I paint. A little organic chaos to start; a black splatter of paint. From there, I treat it like a Rorschach test, and paint whatever I see, all within the confines of the splatter. I want the end result to look like the painting fell from my imagination and onto the canvas.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I was asked the same question everyone gets at some point over and over, “what do you want to be when you get older?” I always answered, “Artist.” Well, until I got tired of hearing the laughter that followed and usually accompanied by, “No. Seriously, what do you REALLY want to do?” I started thinking it was impossible and then it became the constant voice. I finally met my mentor in Alaska, when I was in my 30’s in 2015. She helped me see the realization that being an Artist was possible. Her name is Paula Hallman (RIP) and I am forever grateful to her. I can say I am a professional Artist, with a smile on my face.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Sure! There are several. I can tell you so many stories when I could’ve given up. Pulled into Tulsa Mayfest fresh off a 30 hr drive, in 2018 with less than $20 to my name after getting my family a place to stay and provisions for the weekend. I was an unknown artist here and I had heard it always rains 2 out of the 4 days. Sadly, it did. I sat in my tent and watched the rain flood at my feet, we listened as the walls flapped around with the impending tornado threats. I contemplated my whole life in a few days, it felt. I made over $4,000 the next day and more the day after that. It was enough to keep pushing. I’ll never forget that show.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I used to have my “customer service” face when doing art shows, but I can’t keep a mask on that long. I realized, personally, I cannot bare my entire soul through my artwork and be fake while people asked me about it. I am also at an age where I am very comfortable in my own skin.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I am painting plenty of pieces that I have never made prints of. These can be held for years if necessary. If they so choose, my kids can decide to release prints when I’m gone and keep the brand running. I’m also spending more money to try and get a brick and mortar shop up and running. I am under no impression this will be an overnight success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thesurfboardlady
- Facebook: Surf Byrds Board Art
