Embracing the Imperfect Path: How April Sproule Cultivates Creative Confidence Through Mixed Media Textile Art
June 2025 | Mixed Media
by Marilyn Heywood Paige
In her Northern California studio, mixed media textile artist April Sproule offers a simple yet profound piece of advice for overcoming creative blocks: “If I pick it up and just do what’s the smallest, tiniest little thing I could do—put some black dots on here, whatever it is—do that one thing, and then it opens your mind up to all these new possibilities.”
This philosophy of small steps and embracing imperfection lies at the heart of Sproule’s approach to both creating art and teaching others to find their creative confidence. After decades in the textile arts world, she has learned that the path to artistic fulfillment is rarely linear—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.
April Sproule in her studio
From Dreams to Reality: An Intuitive Creative Process
Sproule’s creative process begins in an unusual place: her dreams. “I’ll be able to see finished pieces in vivid detail,” she explains, “and then I have to figure out how to make it—how do I actually create this?” These nocturnal visions often require her to learn entirely new techniques, pushing her artistic boundaries in unexpected directions.
Her approach to translating dreams into reality is refreshingly simple. “All I need is one idea to get started,” she says. “It could be the color green, and everything develops from there.” This intuitive method relies on what she calls production sketches—simple drawings that serve as bridges between vague ideas and physical manifestation. Though these sketches may look like nothing to others, they represent that crucial moment when creativity moves from mind to matter.
Rather than being overwhelmed by infinite possibilities, Sproule embraces constraints as creative catalysts. She typically begins with just three elements: an overall size, a focal point, and one main color. “It helps you get started because if you look at every technique I’ve ever done over the last 30 years, where do you start?” she explains. These narrow parameters paradoxically create freedom, allowing ideas to grow organically without the paralysis of too many choices.
The Courage to Reinvent
Sproule’s philosophy of embracing the unexpected was put to the ultimate test when COVID-19 arrived. For twenty years, she had operated a successful longarm quilting business, teaching workshops and vending at shows across the country. When the pandemic canceled every single event on her 2020 calendar, she faced a crossroads.
“I just decided I couldn’t do it anymore,” she recalls. “It was like I’d been chained to that machine for 20 years.” In a move that many would consider risky, she closed her established business and pivoted entirely toward her own artistic practice and online teaching.
This bold decision exemplifies the creative confidence she now teaches others to cultivate. Rather than clinging to security, she chose growth and authenticity—a choice that ultimately allowed her to reach more students through virtual workshops while dedicating more time to her own creative work. Today, she carefully selects her in-person teaching opportunities, choosing venues like the Estelle Center for Creative Arts where she can work with fellow artists in supportive, retreat-like environments.
Breaking Free from Perfection’s Prison
Central to Sproule’s teaching philosophy is a radical rejection of perfectionism. “I don’t believe in perfection,” she states firmly. “I think it really holds you back a lot, and the fear of being judged by other people.”
This perspective stems from years of observation, both in her own work and in teaching students. She’s witnessed how the pursuit of perfection can paralyze artists, preventing them from finishing pieces or even starting new ones. Instead, she encourages embracing what she calls “the beauty of the unfinished” and finding joy in the process rather than fixating on an unattainable ideal.
“I want them to believe in themselves,” she says of her students. “I want them to believe that what they do has value. They don’t need to compare themselves to anyone else or anyone else’s accomplishments.” Her message of self-acceptance forms the foundation of creative confidence, empowering artists to define their own success and find fulfillment in their unique expression.
Finding Inspiration in Imperfection
Sproule’s Northern California environment provides endless inspiration, from rugged coastlines to towering redwood forests. But she’s drawn not to perfect specimens, but to things “in a state of erosion or decomposition.” This aesthetic preference reflects her broader philosophy: imperfection holds more interest and beauty than pristine perfection.
“Nature provides me with a never-ending treasure trove of ideas,” she explains. Whether studying insects, botanical specimens, or microscopic images, she seeks to capture essence rather than create photorealistic reproductions. This approach extends to her mixed media work, which incorporates vintage fabrics, handmade papers, eco-dyed silks, and various surface design techniques.
The Art of Organized Creativity
Despite describing herself as “scattered,” Sproule has developed systems that support her creative process. Her meticulously organized studio features contact sheets cataloging fabric groups by color and technique, numbered storage systems that allow her to return materials to their proper places, and even a Post-it note system for recording technical solutions.
“Every time I get stuck on something technical and it takes me ages to figure it out, I make a Post-it,” she explains. This systematic approach to problem-solving ensures that hard-won knowledge doesn’t get lost, creating a personal database of creative solutions that grows with each project.
Teaching Creative Confidence
Sproule’s teaching philosophy centers on opening minds to new possibilities while building self-confidence. She works with students of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced artists, creating supportive environments where experimentation is encouraged over perfection.
“What I’ve learned I pass on to other people,” she says, embodying her belief that knowledge gains value when shared. Her online workshops and virtual presentations now reach artists worldwide, while her occasional in-person retreats at places like the Estelle Center allow for the deeper connections that come from sharing creative space with fellow artists.
Through her example and teaching, April Sproule demonstrates that the path to creative confidence lies not in eliminating uncertainty or achieving perfection, but in embracing the imperfect, taking small steps forward, and trusting in the value of one’s own creative voice. In a world that often demands immediate results and flawless execution, her approach offers a refreshing alternative: The courage to begin with just one small mark and see where it leads.
Marilyn Heywood Paige is a marketing consultant for the Estelle Center. She posts about junk journaling and making greeting cards on the Estelle Facebook and Instagram pages.
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