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Řeporyjské ECHO
APRIL 28, 2019 "AN ENERGY-FILLED CRAZY ARTIST: This is April Popko, an American painter living and working in a beautiful house in Prague's Řeporyje. Since childhood she has been dealing with paintbrushes and palettes, but today she paints to bring positive energy and joy to her viewers and herself." Original Czech article |
April, tell us more about yourself ...
I'd love to. I come from a big Polish family in a little town called Indian Orchard—part of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Growing up, I spent a lot of time barefoot in the sand at the end of a peninsula called Cape Cod –living with my four sisters in a tiny cottage on the beach—I like to think of this place as the end of the world and the beginning of all inspiration. Many artists come to this part of Massachusetts for the clear light, the fresh, salty air and the gorgeous sunsets.
As for my studies, I always wanted to be a teacher, because I really love children. And because my parents supported me in all I dreamt of doing, I could study at universities in I studied at universities in Rhode Island, USA and Queensland, Australia—double-majoring in Elementary Education and Communications. I have taught in many types of schools for 25 years, including the Prague British International School and I now teach private English lessons.
I had always incorporated art into my life but only became known as an artist/painter quite recently. I come from a very creative family and was into to the arts my whole life but I only made things for friends and family…until now.
From the other end of the world to the Czech Republic… What brought you here?
I came to CZ because I fell in love with a handsome Czech man! I met Ondra in Cape Cod the summer of 2000. He thought it would be a fun adventure for me to live in Prague for one year….and now with three children and 17 years later, I am still here! He is a smart man! The rest is history (laughs).
And how did you end up in Řeporyje? Why did you choose this peripheral part of Prague as your home?
It’s actually an amazing story how we arrived to Řeporyje. Ondra and I lived on Divci Hrady for 14 years. We loved it there because it was near nature and we have many close friends on that hill. But once our children started to grow out of their beds and the flat started to fill with too many canvases, we had to get a bigger place. We saw a very special house for sale in Řeporyje a year prior. We wanted to visit it but then it went off the market so we thought about living in a houseboat on the Vltava River instead. We looked everywhere for a different house—we thought about reconstructing something, building something, demolishing anything! Then…with a stroke of luck, the house we saw in Řeporyje was on sale again and a year later we bought it! The moment I walked in and learned that it was built by an artist and she had an atelier inside….I fell in love. Every year before having this house, I had always thought about moving back to the States. Now, I feel satisfied. Village life is pretty good! I love the people in this community and I am lucky to have many wonderful friends here. I feel like I have a special job to do here and I will let the universe decide on how that is played out. I have a lot of energy to share and I am excited to see how our story will unfold...
It is known that Řeporyje reminds people of village life, what do you think about this?
Village life is very different from my American lifestyle in the States by the ocean but I enjoy the European lifestyle. I like that the children have freedom to play safely here and that they can live a bilingual life with many incredible friends and families nearby. We feel lucky to live in Řeporyje —it’s like a really good secret of Prague!
Nowadays, rather than teaching, you mainly focus on the art. How did you get to painting?
I never thought I’d become an "artist". It was like the stars lined up and a series of small, very key events started to happen. One particular day really set me in new direction. I had organized a neighborhood charity bazzar (like a block party). An architect had come along and bought a small painting from me for 300kc. She then asked to commission a large piece of art work for her (about 160x140cm). I had no idea where to get such a big canvas, how much paint it would take, how long, or even where I would find space to paint such an art piece! She said it did not matter and that I must accept the challenge. She was a muse for me--I worked hard at making this large painting. This was around the same time that my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I was not sleeping--I wanted to speak with the family who was on a different time zone, six hours behind me. I never slept--so I painted through the nights, non-stop. The canvases were bigger than my kitchen tables and I had to keep moving the paintings for my meals and English lessons. Once the first big one was finished, I realized how much I had enjoyed the process and how it connected me to my home at the time. It was my way of processing life abroad, communicating what I could not say as a foreigner and share my energy with others. Now I have my own atelier, I have regular art collectors who enjoy and follow my work and I am open to exhibiting all over the world! I have shown my paintings in the United States, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco. I like to do many charity events and I love to connect people through art--another good reason to drink champagne and feel inspired!
Where do you get inspiration for your work?
Most of my inspiration comes from missing home and drawing from that energy…a feeling of connecting both worlds that I live in is important to me. I really love where I am from in America and I want to share that energy with others. I am inspired by nature—mostly colors and textures— from my experiences of living by the ocean. My family does a lot of fishing, lobstering and water sports so many good memories were born from the ocean. I love the sparkles on the water, the sound of the waves, the coolness of the sand and the wind on my skin. The colors and textures all around me influence my art and now I am inspired by the nature around me in Czech—the poppy fields, the grasses, the snow, the forests… Earth is so beautiful!
How would you introduce your paintings? Can they be classified somehow? What should one look for in them or find?
My paintings can be classified as abstract art. There are many different shapes and textures to enjoy. I paint in several different styles but they are becoming recognizable. Some people who own large collections of my work, report that people who see my art think the collection was made by several different artists. I make different series to represent different stories—all of which represent communication, connection, vibrational energy and light. A popular one is that of sailboats. It is like a transportation vehicle to my home, figuratively -speaking. The circles are also well-known—representing the vibrational energy that we create and communicate to others. I’d love it if everyone could come and visit my studio to feel the energy these paintings emit. It’s quite different than from a photo.
Do you have any rituals by which you paint and can’t work without?
My rituals—hmm….I am quite flexible in how and when I paint. I usually put on big earrings, throw my hair up, put on my messy apron, painted-ripped jeans, gloves and I love to listen to music really loudly while I paint. Sometimes I listen to podcasts online to learn something new while I’m in the studio and pink champagne is always a nice companion too... Sometimes I stand on the tables, dance, sing -- The energy needs to flow!
What does painting bring to you?
Painting gives me so much energy and when I know it will resonate with other people that gives me great pleasure. Sometimes I go into a different world when I paint. I put so much of my energy into my paintings but I also get that energy FROM my paintings! I am in love with the process of painting and I feel like I could do it for the rest of my life—I am bursting with ideas!
You raise three small children with your husband. How can the artist's work be combined with the care of such a large family?
Good question! Fortunately, I have a great husband. It is really incredible in how much he supports me in my work. When we got to know each other, he knew my family was a bit strange and very creative, so he knew what he was doing (laughs). He is patient in living with a crazy artist in the house. He is really a special person who also helps in the household the same way - he cares for the children every day, listens to my constant ideas and dreams, takes me on nice dates all the time, leads our family business—and he is an amazzzing cook! I would not be here without him.
Artists are said to be living in a different world, that they are a bit out of reality…What do you think about this?
I cannot speak for all artists but this is a very good question. Personally, while I paint, I can be in a different zone. I love it because I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be—but I take my art as a serious business too so I am not in the clouds all the time. My father taught me a lot about business and I really love that side of the arts as well. It’s a very good investment for people. When you come to visit the studio, you will see…
Where can we see your paintings? Where do you exhibit your work?
My paintings are in my Art Studio & Gallery in Reporyje. I work from here every day—even on the weekends—and I invite everyone to come visit by appointment. I have international exhibitions but you can also see my work displayed in different regions of Prague—right now I have work in Andel, Karlin, Smichov and Zizkov as well as online –Instagram is a great place to see updates. #aprilpopko or my website--www.PopkoProductions.com . Currently, I am preparing for an exhibition at the US Embassy that will be displayed December 2019--January 2020 at the American Center.
Do you have time for other hobbies? What do you like to do if you are not with your family or at work?
I have so many interests and hobbies. If I take a break from painting, I like to make jewelry, bake cakes, and take photos. I love to spend time speaking with my family back home or play games with my children. We walk in the park and cycle too. I also write when I can.
And lastly - what are your future plans?
I have so many plans for the future, I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to put it all into one lifetime. One long term project I work on is writing another book—I write children’s books—but this new one will be about my father’s life and how it is connected to mine—a lot of it will incorporate art, business, family and how he shaped me into who I am today and how I am inspired by what a good man he was. Our lives make a circle--like in my paintings. He was born in Europe and then after the war, he worked hard to live the American dream. Then I moved to Europe and I now am living my own dream!
We couldn't have asked for a nicer end to our conversation. Thank you.
Lenka Brychtová
I'd love to. I come from a big Polish family in a little town called Indian Orchard—part of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Growing up, I spent a lot of time barefoot in the sand at the end of a peninsula called Cape Cod –living with my four sisters in a tiny cottage on the beach—I like to think of this place as the end of the world and the beginning of all inspiration. Many artists come to this part of Massachusetts for the clear light, the fresh, salty air and the gorgeous sunsets.
As for my studies, I always wanted to be a teacher, because I really love children. And because my parents supported me in all I dreamt of doing, I could study at universities in I studied at universities in Rhode Island, USA and Queensland, Australia—double-majoring in Elementary Education and Communications. I have taught in many types of schools for 25 years, including the Prague British International School and I now teach private English lessons.
I had always incorporated art into my life but only became known as an artist/painter quite recently. I come from a very creative family and was into to the arts my whole life but I only made things for friends and family…until now.
From the other end of the world to the Czech Republic… What brought you here?
I came to CZ because I fell in love with a handsome Czech man! I met Ondra in Cape Cod the summer of 2000. He thought it would be a fun adventure for me to live in Prague for one year….and now with three children and 17 years later, I am still here! He is a smart man! The rest is history (laughs).
And how did you end up in Řeporyje? Why did you choose this peripheral part of Prague as your home?
It’s actually an amazing story how we arrived to Řeporyje. Ondra and I lived on Divci Hrady for 14 years. We loved it there because it was near nature and we have many close friends on that hill. But once our children started to grow out of their beds and the flat started to fill with too many canvases, we had to get a bigger place. We saw a very special house for sale in Řeporyje a year prior. We wanted to visit it but then it went off the market so we thought about living in a houseboat on the Vltava River instead. We looked everywhere for a different house—we thought about reconstructing something, building something, demolishing anything! Then…with a stroke of luck, the house we saw in Řeporyje was on sale again and a year later we bought it! The moment I walked in and learned that it was built by an artist and she had an atelier inside….I fell in love. Every year before having this house, I had always thought about moving back to the States. Now, I feel satisfied. Village life is pretty good! I love the people in this community and I am lucky to have many wonderful friends here. I feel like I have a special job to do here and I will let the universe decide on how that is played out. I have a lot of energy to share and I am excited to see how our story will unfold...
It is known that Řeporyje reminds people of village life, what do you think about this?
Village life is very different from my American lifestyle in the States by the ocean but I enjoy the European lifestyle. I like that the children have freedom to play safely here and that they can live a bilingual life with many incredible friends and families nearby. We feel lucky to live in Řeporyje —it’s like a really good secret of Prague!
Nowadays, rather than teaching, you mainly focus on the art. How did you get to painting?
I never thought I’d become an "artist". It was like the stars lined up and a series of small, very key events started to happen. One particular day really set me in new direction. I had organized a neighborhood charity bazzar (like a block party). An architect had come along and bought a small painting from me for 300kc. She then asked to commission a large piece of art work for her (about 160x140cm). I had no idea where to get such a big canvas, how much paint it would take, how long, or even where I would find space to paint such an art piece! She said it did not matter and that I must accept the challenge. She was a muse for me--I worked hard at making this large painting. This was around the same time that my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness and I was not sleeping--I wanted to speak with the family who was on a different time zone, six hours behind me. I never slept--so I painted through the nights, non-stop. The canvases were bigger than my kitchen tables and I had to keep moving the paintings for my meals and English lessons. Once the first big one was finished, I realized how much I had enjoyed the process and how it connected me to my home at the time. It was my way of processing life abroad, communicating what I could not say as a foreigner and share my energy with others. Now I have my own atelier, I have regular art collectors who enjoy and follow my work and I am open to exhibiting all over the world! I have shown my paintings in the United States, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco. I like to do many charity events and I love to connect people through art--another good reason to drink champagne and feel inspired!
Where do you get inspiration for your work?
Most of my inspiration comes from missing home and drawing from that energy…a feeling of connecting both worlds that I live in is important to me. I really love where I am from in America and I want to share that energy with others. I am inspired by nature—mostly colors and textures— from my experiences of living by the ocean. My family does a lot of fishing, lobstering and water sports so many good memories were born from the ocean. I love the sparkles on the water, the sound of the waves, the coolness of the sand and the wind on my skin. The colors and textures all around me influence my art and now I am inspired by the nature around me in Czech—the poppy fields, the grasses, the snow, the forests… Earth is so beautiful!
How would you introduce your paintings? Can they be classified somehow? What should one look for in them or find?
My paintings can be classified as abstract art. There are many different shapes and textures to enjoy. I paint in several different styles but they are becoming recognizable. Some people who own large collections of my work, report that people who see my art think the collection was made by several different artists. I make different series to represent different stories—all of which represent communication, connection, vibrational energy and light. A popular one is that of sailboats. It is like a transportation vehicle to my home, figuratively -speaking. The circles are also well-known—representing the vibrational energy that we create and communicate to others. I’d love it if everyone could come and visit my studio to feel the energy these paintings emit. It’s quite different than from a photo.
Do you have any rituals by which you paint and can’t work without?
My rituals—hmm….I am quite flexible in how and when I paint. I usually put on big earrings, throw my hair up, put on my messy apron, painted-ripped jeans, gloves and I love to listen to music really loudly while I paint. Sometimes I listen to podcasts online to learn something new while I’m in the studio and pink champagne is always a nice companion too... Sometimes I stand on the tables, dance, sing -- The energy needs to flow!
What does painting bring to you?
Painting gives me so much energy and when I know it will resonate with other people that gives me great pleasure. Sometimes I go into a different world when I paint. I put so much of my energy into my paintings but I also get that energy FROM my paintings! I am in love with the process of painting and I feel like I could do it for the rest of my life—I am bursting with ideas!
You raise three small children with your husband. How can the artist's work be combined with the care of such a large family?
Good question! Fortunately, I have a great husband. It is really incredible in how much he supports me in my work. When we got to know each other, he knew my family was a bit strange and very creative, so he knew what he was doing (laughs). He is patient in living with a crazy artist in the house. He is really a special person who also helps in the household the same way - he cares for the children every day, listens to my constant ideas and dreams, takes me on nice dates all the time, leads our family business—and he is an amazzzing cook! I would not be here without him.
Artists are said to be living in a different world, that they are a bit out of reality…What do you think about this?
I cannot speak for all artists but this is a very good question. Personally, while I paint, I can be in a different zone. I love it because I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be—but I take my art as a serious business too so I am not in the clouds all the time. My father taught me a lot about business and I really love that side of the arts as well. It’s a very good investment for people. When you come to visit the studio, you will see…
Where can we see your paintings? Where do you exhibit your work?
My paintings are in my Art Studio & Gallery in Reporyje. I work from here every day—even on the weekends—and I invite everyone to come visit by appointment. I have international exhibitions but you can also see my work displayed in different regions of Prague—right now I have work in Andel, Karlin, Smichov and Zizkov as well as online –Instagram is a great place to see updates. #aprilpopko or my website--www.PopkoProductions.com . Currently, I am preparing for an exhibition at the US Embassy that will be displayed December 2019--January 2020 at the American Center.
Do you have time for other hobbies? What do you like to do if you are not with your family or at work?
I have so many interests and hobbies. If I take a break from painting, I like to make jewelry, bake cakes, and take photos. I love to spend time speaking with my family back home or play games with my children. We walk in the park and cycle too. I also write when I can.
And lastly - what are your future plans?
I have so many plans for the future, I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to put it all into one lifetime. One long term project I work on is writing another book—I write children’s books—but this new one will be about my father’s life and how it is connected to mine—a lot of it will incorporate art, business, family and how he shaped me into who I am today and how I am inspired by what a good man he was. Our lives make a circle--like in my paintings. He was born in Europe and then after the war, he worked hard to live the American dream. Then I moved to Europe and I now am living my own dream!
We couldn't have asked for a nicer end to our conversation. Thank you.
Lenka Brychtová
