Artist Spotlight: April Olson

APRIL OLSON HAS BEEN CREATING art since she was old enough to hold a pencil, but she didn’t always envision herself pursuing art as a career.

In 2020, her parents bought her a camera as a combined graduation and birthday gift. She started her business, April’s Photography, that same year.

“It started out as a hobby that made some money on the side,” Olson said.

When she first started classes at Northern State University, she studied medical lab science.

“I still love bio, but I realized that’s not where I should be,” she said. After that, she switched to psychology and came to a similar realization.

“My parents told me I was good at art, so I tried it. I’m really, really glad that I did,” Olson said.

She went on to earn her degree in studio arts with a certificate in arts management.

“I choose happiness over financials,” she said. “Art has always been a side-gig, now it’s full time, and I’m sure that this is what I want to do. Art management helped me see the possibilities for jobs in this field. If it’s not my own art, I can work with other artists. One thing about this program is that you learn a lot of different skills.”

Olson does weddings, graduations, and other special events, but her favorite thing to do is portrait photography. She said that she likes to focus on portraits that depict her subjects in a creative light.

“Editorial or creative pieces are my favorite,” she said. “Drastic makeup, stuff that shows someone’s aesthetic or essence, like an ideal way to present yourself. I like making people feel good about themselves. I get to know people, form bonds, and show them how beautiful they are. If someone says they’re not photogenic, I just tell them they haven’t had photos with me.”

Olson does a lot of research before each photoshoot. She’s not a fan of generic picture day poses – she encourages her subjects to send her moodboards, props, or ideas for backgrounds to use. She said that she wants to ensure that her subjects are happy with the final product.

Olson is also flexible with the prices of her photography.

“Everyone deserves to have nice photos,” she said. “I’ve been told my work is worth more, but I want people to have access to it. It’s something that I’m passionate about. My sister did my senior photos, and if I didn’t have her, I’m not sure that I would have had any taken. Everyone deserves to have their big moments captured.”

One day, she hopes to open her own physical studio space.

“I love being out in nature and finding cool spots, but we have winter here,” she said. Olson said that she plans to stay in South Dakota to build her career.

“I think there isn’t a lot of focus on art because no one stays here, and I want to show people that it can be done,” she said. “I think that there are more opportunities to be unique here as well.” In addition to photography, Olson enjoys traditional art, especially ceramics, painting, and mixed media.

“I like to do a little bit of everything,” she said. Each medium is used for a different purpose. The primary goal of her photography is to help people see that they’re beautiful, and her traditional art is used mostly as a form of self expression. She tends to explore different subjects with each medium as well.

“With mixed media, I love to see how to make something new,” she said. “I love oil painting and recently discovered that I love watercolor painting. Oil paints tend to be better for abstract pieces and watercolor works for both realistic and abstract.”

Olson said that she likes to put her own spin on folk art, especially with her linocut prints. She also likes to explore the theme of duality, which was the theme of her senior show. Her collage works tend to focus on political issues, and it’s her favorite medium for self expression.

“It’s a very easy, in-you-face way to present that,” she said. “It’s not always political, but at the very least each piece has a personal, deeper meaning.”

Olson focuses on human rights issues and hopes that people can be more empathetic towards each other.

“I want to confront viewers of my art with self reflection,” she said. “I want my art to make people think and start asking ‘why’ questions, like, ‘Why am I having this reaction?’”

Olson also draws inspiration from her own life experiences.

“I’ve been through a lot of things, and art is a way for me to express that without making it someone’s problem,” she said.

Olson likes to incorporate feminine elements into her traditional art. “As a woman, sometimes you feel like you can’t make it because you’re a woman,” Olson said. “I love using pink andmaking it powerful. My art can be feminine, soft, and delicate, but it’s also powerful and shows that I have a place. Being feminine doesn’t make you weak.”

Oslon attends local events and often shares her tables with her mother, Marsha. She attended Arts in the park and Winterfest. She has also had her art displayed in the Capitol Theatre’s Jane West gallery, NSU’s juried art show, and at the Red Rooster Coffee House. //

For more information about Olson’s work, visit her Instagram @april_photography________ (that’s eight underscores!)