Aprille McShane

Year of birth: 1975.
Where do you live: Sheffield, England.
Your education: self taught.
Describe your art in three words: Hopeful, observed and seasonal.
Your discipline: printmaking.
www.aprillemcshane.com | Instagram

Can you tell us about your journey as a self-taught artist? What inspired you to start creating art?

I was raised by a busy single mom, so I spent a lot of time playing outside, gathering petals for perfume, building fairy circles, or drawing inside. As I got older, the focus shifted to working rather than studying. I trained in business administration and soon started working in creative environments like fashion, architecture, and television. It was fulfilling for a while, but in my thirties, my desire to be creative couldn’t be ignored anymore. I trained in make-up artistry and design, enjoying many joyful years working in film, television, music, and fashion.

When I had my daughter, I didn’t want to spend long hours away from home. My relationship with her brought me back to my childhood and rekindled my connection with nature and its magic. That’s when I discovered printmaking as a way to explore my creative thoughts.

Aprille McShane | WaterLily | 2023

Your work prominently features floral motifs. What draws you to flowers as a subject?

I’m fortunate to live in a green city, where I can walk into woodlands and stroll along the river within just five minutes. Watching the seasons change and seeing the flowers bloom and the trees come to life always fills me with hope and joy, inspiring me to capture it all through art. Even when the flowers fade and the leaves fall, there’s still a beauty that inspires me to create prints.

How do you choose the colors for your monoprints? Is there a specific mood or message you aim to convey through your color choices?

My color choices are deeply influenced by my mood, which shifts with the changing seasons. Nature provides an incredible palette of colors that never ceases to inspire me. Whether it’s the vibrant hues of spring flowers or the rich, earthy tones of autumn leaves, there’s always something beautiful to capture. I’m constantly looking for new inspirations and documenting my daily walks with Minnie, our lively springer spaniel. These walks not only bring me joy but also offer a treasure trove of colors and scenes that find their way into my art.

Aprille McShane | Geraniums | 2023

What challenges have you faced as a self-taught artist, and how have you overcome them?

I’ve come to realize that an arts education provides a solid foundation to build upon, and without it, it’s easy to doubt yourself. This self-doubt, or ‘imposter syndrome,’ has sometimes held me back from applying for exhibitions, residencies, and even creating work. Thankfully, my strong drive to be creative has kept me going. Now that I’m in my middle years, I care less about what others think and more about what truly moves me and what I’m passionate about.

Your artist statement mentions a balance between control and spontaneity. How do you achieve this balance in your work?

Most of my floral artworks are created by cutting or tearing paper cutout motifs. I like to keep this part of the process loose and let my scissors do the work. I can spend hours tearing and cutting shapes inspired by what I’ve seen on my daily walk. Next, I mix colors to ink each motif, using either a brush or a roller, and then I collage all the paper motifs onto my inked printing matrix. The inking and collaging take time, and the whole process can be quite laborious, but I find it to be a meditative focus that I truly enjoy. The endless joy in printmaking for me is in that pull of paper. You have a good idea of what to expect, but you can never be completely sure, and I find that thrilling.

Aprille McShane | DayLily | 2023

Can you talk about any specific pieces that hold special meaning for you or have a unique story behind them?

My practice revolves around moving with the seasons, often revisiting the same flowers. A plant from my childhood that still enthralls me is stinging nettles. The smell of the woods changes when nettles appear, transporting me back to my free-range childhood, making dens and trying to avoid getting stung. Nettles have lovely little flowers that hang like frilly ribbons, often intertwined with Bindweed. I have a piece called *Nettle & Bindweed* that I’m particularly fond of.

Aprille McShane | Nettleand Bindweed | 2023

What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artwork?

My art is deeply embedded in the natural environment, which has been a source of magical wonder for me since childhood. I predominantly choose to paint flowers because they are so captivating. Watching flowers emerge and unfurl brings me pure joy and keeps me hopeful and moving forward. Their vibrant colors and intricate forms never fail to inspire me.

Through my art, I aim to capture that same sense of wonder and bring it to others. I hope that my bursts of color and bold forms convey a sense of joy and inspire people to go outside and appreciate the beauty around them. Whether it’s the delicate petals of a blooming rose or the striking hues of a wildflower meadow, there’s always something magical to discover in nature, and I strive to reflect that in my work.