Gramma Artist

April Seekins is a native Montana artist that enjoys painting watercolors and rawhide drums. As a youth she was recognized as a budding artist in grade school, high school and college.

 

She raised three daughters and now enjoys their families and grandchildren. Her husband worked with the Forest Service so she and her family lived and experienced the mountains of Montana, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, Washington and Oregon. April had the unique opportunity to observe abundant wildlife and unique bird populations in their natural settings.

 

She had a lifetime career in Diagnostic Imaging, where she specialized in Ultrasound. Knowledge of bone and muscle anatomy, as well as her ability  to visualize objects 3-dimensionally contributed to her success in imaging, illustrating and art. Her art skills were used extensively in teaching anatomy and ultrasound to the medical community and her students. April created a special niche as a medical-legal graphic illustrator and consultant working with lawyers and medical professionals in this field for 10 years.

 

April's choice of paint for the rawhide is permanent leather dye and ink because they become one with the drum head. Each drum has its own tone, color, texture, and natural leather markings. She learned that each drum has its own distinctive touch, feel and way of accepting the dye. She gently touches and looks at each drum for a long time until she visualizes and feels the image each drum will gradually produce.

 

April's unique painting technique and watercolor style create an original work of art like no other.