April Smithback - GUEST ARTIST - STUDIO #6

April Smithback is located in Cambridge, Wisconsin, and has created art in various mediums her entire life.  In late 2022 she discovered needle and wet felting, and it quickly became her passion.  Starting in 3D she soon combined her love of painting natural landscapes with wool.  She uses vintage pieces she finds at antique stores as unique frames and mounts for her pictures.  Most of her inspiration is drawn from areas around her and is captured in the name of her business, Out My Window Felting.  Looking for ideas for future works makes her stop and slow down and she is constantly studying clouds, trees, sunsets and fields,  trying to figure out how to incorporate the depth and color into her paintings.

April’s hope is that the sense of peace felting brings her is experienced by those who purchase her works and enjoy them in their home.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work is rooted in the quiet beauty of the landscapes that surround me in Cambridge, Wisconsin. I discovered needle and wet felting in late 2022, and the medium immediately resonated with me. What began as an exploration of 3D forms quickly grew into a way to merge my love of painting with the tactile richness of wool.

Using vintage frames and found pieces from antique shops, I create wool felted landscapes that feel both familiar and timeless. The name of my studio, Out My Window Felting, reflects the deep inspiration I draw from the world just outside my door. I am constantly studying clouds, trees, sunsets, and fields—pausing long enough to notice the depth, color, and stillness in each moment, and to translate that feeling into my work.

Felting brings me a sense of calm and grounding, and my hope is that the pieces I create offer that same quiet peace to those who welcome them into their homes.