Curvy. Courageous. Curly. Couture. Cutie of the Month: April Fitzpatrick

Sometimes we forget to follow our dreams because we are so caught up in what others will say.  We slowly die inside letting others dictate our next move.   While researching topics about today's blog, I came across this quote, "The secret of living is giving, if you follow your dreams then you will have something worth sharing with others, hope, inspiration and a meaning to live, and that to me, is a great contribution."

The young lady I am featuring for the month of February is such an inspiration to me.  I have known her since my freshman year in college and never knew she could draw... let alone create a masterpiece.  She decided one day to be happy and follow her dreams of becoming an artist.  Her talent is truly "something worth sharing with others, hope, inspiration and a meaning to live" 

Today I challenge you to only focus on you and your dreams. 

April Fitzpatrick 

1. What got you interested in art? Have you taken any art classes?

My interest in art began as I child. Being the only child those were one of the many ways to keep me occupied. As time went on, i stopped due to lack of support and being trained to achieve only in the academic arena. So, I did! Blah! I have taken a couple of courses in college, just a couple. My creative mind and expressive spirit was born through gifted courses while in elementary and middle school.

2. What was the hardest part of pursuing your career as an artist? How did you overcome it?

The hardest part was going against society. I would get asked what I did or what I wanted to become and I would say I paint or I'm am artist. Even when I would speak to other artist, I would often get a discouraging eye or the "surviving artist" story. I overcame it by praying and producing. The more I said--God maybe this is just a hobby, the more I grew, the more I painted, then people took me serious. I spoke life over what I felt I had been called to do.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your paintings?

Most of my paintings are inspired by the African American experience. Taking those negatives and using color to create positives. I also study other artist and the themes they capture. And sometimes I just get up and paint.

4. Can you remember one of the first things you painted? What makes it memorable?

I painted elephants in the mist of a sunset represented by time and color. It was memorable because it was at this point that I knew I could inspire and reach people. My line sister was complaining about grad school and sleep and I decided to paint it for a little inspiration.

5. Why the name Hopeful Kreations?

H.O.P.E.ful Kreations. It came from my slogan while competing for Miss Tougaloo which was initially Catch the H.O.P.E. I had experienced troubling times during my tenure in college, that I had not faced, only suppressed. As a senior I decided to face them. I had also gone to Africa. So a mixture of old and new, failure and success, love and hate, I knew that after it was all said and done i needed hope. Although I didn't win a crown, my crown came from serving the people through words. Several people had come to me afterwards expressing how I had inspire them with my courageous spirit. So that acronym stands for Helping Out People Everywhere. Once I started to paint I just added the ful and Kreations serving as a mission to inspire.

6. I’ve noticed a lot of your paintings feature women with natural hair. Your hair is AMAZING!!! How long have you been natural and what are your favorite CURLY girl products?

I have been natural since 2010. To be honest I have no favorite! I'm still learning and trying to see what fits my hair best. 

7. Where can somebody reach you if interested in purchasing a painting?

They can email me afitxpatrick@bellsouth.net Call 601-572-4053 Follow on Instagram @hopefulkreations

8. What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?

My hardest step would be capturing an event/expression/ theme and actually deciding which I will do and how I will express it. So much runs through my head on a daily.

9. What would you say to somebody who wants to pursue their career as an artist but is discouraged by everybody telling them to “Get a regular job.”?

You have to start first, believe, be obedient, be willing to sacrifice, invest in yourself, have patience, and never stop. All things I struggled with and still have to examine. The world will sell you things because that's what it is suppose to do. But dreamers must take a step out in faith and truly question your purpose in life and what mark will you leave behind. These are the things that keep me going.

10. And finally, I would like to give you this opportunity to share 4 paintings and tell us a little about what each means to you.

Take a Bite Out of Love (Love is a scary thing for me for several reasons, so I just make fun with it until it bites me)

The African experience. ( I am proud of my heritage! Those 5 weeks in Africa made an impact on my life that I'm forever grateful for.)

The piece is rarely new, a commissioned piece. ( I never cease to amaze myself. When I feel the most afraid and overwhelmed, I produce awesome pieces. And this in particular captures the life of someone, their likes, interest, and fields of study. I think it's important to remind people how great and purposeful they are.)

I'm Afraid, Don't Be (living in a fast lane...trying to understand life...and making the best of it)