Gift Shop Artist of the Month

April Knox

Featured: July 1–30, 2022

Gift Shop Hours: Monday–Saturday, noon–6 pm

April Knox is a plein air oil painter and geologist and lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.  She was born and raised in Indiana and began her painting career about 15 years ago. Indiana has a rich history with the early American Impressionists, and she was inspired to learn and embrace that legacy. Through her network of contemporary Indiana impressionist painters, April found her true passion, plein air painting. April had the privilege to study with Fred Doloresco and Don Stone. April’s technique and style was influenced by Emile Gruppe, John F. Carlson, and Robert Henri’s book “The Art Spirit”. As a child, April’s mom Debra would encourage her to color outside the lines – as April has grown, that seemingly simple statement has had a powerful impact on her. She paints with bold brushstrokes capturing the immediacy of the changing light. She likes to paint subjects that people might just pass by every day, helping people to notice the beauty of the ordinary every day.

April moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 2013 to pursue a master’s degree in geology. During this time, she had to step back from painting full time. After completing her degree, she worked as a geologist in Houston, TX although her heart and family were still in Alaska. April and her husband moved back home to Fairbanks in 2020 and she is now plein air painting in and around the interior of Alaska. She is enthusiastic about being involved with the Fairbanks community. Give her a shout if you are interested in joining her painting outside, she’d love to paint with you!

April’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Indiana State Museum, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Central Insurance Company, and many private collections. She has exhibited in juried exhibitions including Oil Painters of America, Salon International, Hoosier Salon, and Indiana Heritage Arts. Currently, her work can be found at aprilknoxart.com, Roaming Root Cellar, and the Bear Gallery gift shop in Fairbanks, Alaska.