“Sailboats symbolize many things— hope, courage, adventure, navigation and intuition. It’s a vehicle that enables a journey. It can evoke feelings of both speed and leisure at the same time. Sailing requires discipline, faith, focus and skill. It allows us to travel, embarking on the “Seas of our desires”. We can all apply what we wish to these imaginings…but I have a more personal connection to these boats. Being raised by the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Cod, Massachusetts (USA), I was barefoot in the sand, since I was 5 weeks old. I say, ‘the ocean seems to run through my veins’. It gives me energy to be by the water, sailing, fishing, lobstering, and water-skiing with family and friends. Painting boats is my way of transporting my soul to reach both sides of the ocean. Now that I live in a land-locked country (Czech Republic), painting boats helps me feel closer to home. When I paint boats, breezes, sea grasses and other nautical themes, I bring a bit of that to light. FLEET also represents the most valuable commodity: TIME-- because time is FLEETING. Since living abroad, far from my American family, I feel a strong need to share my feelings about how precious TIME is and the importance of spending it with loved ones. Being abroad for decades has amplified my awareness of those precious, fleeting moments. With every year that passes, I feel it more intensely. This ride through life IS fleeting and time spent together is priceless. As we all try to make the most of our unique journeys, I wish you many amazing moments that move your soul and transport you in ways you would have never dreamed of.” —April Popko
Gold Rush, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
80 x 40 cm
