Meet April Henry King of Augusta, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Henry King

Hi April Henry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been creative ever since I was a young child. I dabbled in all the crafts and arts. So I decided to teach myself to paint when I was 16 years old and my very first painting turned out, actually, pretty good. I naturally was able to blend and understand the paints as if I had picked up a brush for the 100th time not the first time. It is truly a gift from God. The painting was a funky, bright, and energetic coffee cup tipping over. It was created for a new coffee shop in town that just needed a little something to put on their bare walls. Some how this couple gave littel ol’ me the opportunity to put my art in their shop. I will always remember and be thankful for that couple for believing in me and giving me a chance. Weeks later, someone walked in the shop and asked to buy the painting. The owners called me and asked me what my price was for the piece. I was floored because I couldn’t believe someone was going to pay me money in exchange for something I had no expertise in and had so much fun creating. I sold that first painting for $75 and I decided from that day forward I was going to make this my career and I did. My little business grew by word of mouth and took off fast in my big, little city. I have been painting for 8 years now and have painted over 500 paintings from small portraits to murals to live event paintings. I absolutely love my job and will never forget that coffee shop couple that believed in me many years ago.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always heard the term starving or struggling artist but I have not experienced that in my time as an artist thus far. I have had many, many struggles in life but some how this particular journey fell in my lap in many ways. I never sought out to be an artist, it just kept finding me. Its the only thing I have ever done in life that hasn’t ever felt forced or difficult. I just keep creating and God keeps providing. That is how I know this is 100% my purpose. It seems easy and nothing in my life has ever been easy.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design cheerful murals, portraits, landscapes, and seasonal art decor in my in-home studio in Augusta, GA. I love my hometown so much and have always seen its potential. My passion is to make Augusta a place that everyone wants to be! I’m known for my contagious enthusiasm towards our community and fun landscapes of our town! My goal is for the viewer to see the world through my bright, funky lenses in hopes that each brush stroke changes their perspective to something more joyful and light. In my new season of motherhood, my main focus is selling seasonal artwork, prints and decor at, Southern Willow Market, a sweet boutique in our town! I am able to work from home this way and take care of our precious baby boy while still continuing to create.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have two thoughts on networking. 1) Networking is key but you have to find the way in which you like to network. There are different ways you can network so picking a way that fits best with your personality will ensure you get out of it what you are trying to achieve. Some examples of networking are digital, in-person, mentor programs, etc. For me, I love events and meeting new people. I usually pick this option for networking because its the most fun for me and where I feel the most comfortable. People around you will notice this and you will be able to attract more genuine, relaxed conversation than if you are feeling uncomfortable. If that is the case, I would pick digital networking like supporting businesses via social media apps (liking, commenting etc) to establish strong relationships online. 2) After you pick your preferred way of networking and master that, then I would pick another way in order to push yourself to grow. For example, I really do not like formal groups like mentor programs because I feel I bit anxious with all the formalities. But in order to grow in that area I need to face my fears I am planning on applying to a program soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aprilhenryking.com
• Instagram: aprilhenryking
• Facebook: April Henry King

Image Credits
Richard Wayne Photography