APE MADE (Art and Apparel by April Bleakney)

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APE MADE (Art and Apparel by April Bleakney)

APE MADE = Hand screenprinted wearable goodness + visual art created by April Bleakney
www.apebleakney.com

09/29/2026

We are nature. ✨

I think this is the last from this series that I haven’t shared yet - and its namesake.

Background photo of mountains shot from the top of Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park, 2025.

I made this series at last October. You can see all nine phrases in my “We Are Nature Series” pages. 15% from all of these goes to . 11’’ x 17’’ each. Words + original photography, risograph printed in 1-color and 2-color variations using sunflower and hunter green riso inks.

09/22/2026

AYYY Columbus!!! 🖼️

I’m so happy to have a few of my pieces included in the upcoming Ohio Thrives Exhibition at the Ohio Art Council’s Riffe Gallery. The show will be up October 31st, 2026-January 8th, 2027. Opening Reception is October 31st, from 2:00-4:00pm.

It’s a broad mix of printmaking and mixed media for my included works:

Leaving (A Love Letter) / 2026
Screen print on familial fabrics - sewn, collaged, decoupaged, and stretched over wooden frame
24’’H x 24’’W x 1.625’’D

Donna French, Librarian (Grandmother)
2025
Screen print and acrylic wash on six 12’’x12’’ wood panels
25’’H x 38’’W x 0.625’’D

Mantra Series (Selection)
2025
Screenprint, Letterpress, Mono Screenprint (8 in selection, 12.5’’ x 19’’ each with 2-4’’ space in between)
19’’H x 121’’W

Thanks, and Christina ✨

09/21/2026

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.

Words from John Muir. Background photo shot in Kings Canyon National Park, 2025. Had to pair him with the Sierra Nevadas.

I made this series at last October. You can see all nine phrases in my “We Are Nature Series” pages. 15% from all of these goes to . 11’’ x 17’’ each. Words + original photography, risograph printed in 1-color and 2-color variations using sunflower and hunter green riso inks.

09/09/2026

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

No, this one isn’t Robin Wall Kimmerer - these words come from William Shakespeare. Background photo of Colorado aspens, shot in 2025.

Made this series at last October! You can see all nine phrases in my “We Are Nature Series” pages. 15% from all of these goes to . 11’’ x 17’’ each. Words + original photography, risograph printed in 1-color and 2-color variations using sunflower and hunter green riso inks.

09/08/2026

This is a somewhat obscure(?) one - but I’ve been surprised at how many have known the words came from Salvador Dali (of COURSE it was Dali, once you know it makes perfect sense 🫠).

I don’t need drugs. I am drugs.

These prints feature screen printed artwork created from vintage 1800s engravings of mushrooms / canna / poppies. Words from Dali. Text reads “I don’t need drugs. I am drugs.” and was created with letterpressed wood type on a Vandercook No. 4T, made last October while I was on residency at . Each measures 12.5x19. You can see them all on the “Mantra Series” page.

09/05/2026

Fun quick side quest project: I made the cover for this month’s SCENE magazine for Cleveland Book Fest!

I picked up a physical copy at yesterday. Cleveland Book Fest 2026 is a month-long showcase of literary excellence in Northeast Ohio. This year’s festival is slated to draw in thousands of book lovers, writers, and residents through author talks, poetry readings, publishing panels, and more. The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards are September 18th - this year’s winners will join the esteemed canon of America’s only juried book prize focusing on works that address racism and diversity.

For the cover, I kept the art poppy and retro, akin to my book ban response series prints. Thank you again to for asking me. ✨

09/01/2026

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

Words widely attributed to Confucius. Background photo of view out from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, shot in 2025.

Made this series at last October! You can see all nine phrases in my “We Are Nature Series” pages. 15% from all of these goes to . 11’’ x 17’’ each. Words + original photography, risograph printed in 1-color and 2-color variations using sunflower and hunter green riso inks.

08/30/2026

FULL timelapse for 934 Mural Fest at in Columbus, OH☝️

GET FREE

Those who know my letterpress prints might recognize this one. The original prints featured screen printed artwork of birds + cage I collaged / created from vintage 1800s engravings. Text reads “GET FREE” and was made with letterpressed wood type printed on a Vandercook No. 4 ( while on residency in NH last October). For this mural, I thought it would be cool to have something recognizable (if you know me, you know it’s me) and also nod to my printmaking roots. I also chose this one for its uplifting+defiant message for these times.

You can find this 12’x17’ mural in “mural alley” on the side of 934 Gallery (934 Cleveland Avenue) in Columbus’s Short North Arts District. This is an annual fest featuring over 40 freshly painted outdoor murals. The party happens September 11th and 12th this year - with live music across multiple stages, food trucks, craft b**r, a vendor market, and kids’ activities. Murals stay up until next year when they get primed and do it all over again!

Real talk: It was fun to actually PAINT a wall again, as a majority of my large murals and installs go up as vinyl wraps. I decided to throw it up there freehand when the projector was a no go (and the thought of gridding it out was also a NO for me due to time). It came out pretty good for an out-of-practice rush job, I think. I needed to create something I could paint in 2 days since I was coming down from Cleveland (I was feeling time abundant when I signed up but less so when paint time rolled around 🫠). I kept it simple and straightforward for that reason. And got it done in 1.5 days! I’m criticizing the letters a bit but was drawing from a weird angle on the scaffold - and about to heat stroke out so IT’S FINE. 🙃

Thanks for having me, . And special thanks to Aunt Jill for being my mural buddy / scaffold schlepper!

08/29/2026

A handful of stills from painting at 934 Mural Festival in Columbus at - all snapped by my aunt who came to keep me company / support. 🙏 (I had NONE since I was running the timelapse the whole time.) It was HOT hot up on that scaffolding but got her done in 2 days. 🎨

08/19/2026

👐🙃 Wu Wednesday share, ODB special: OOOOOH BABY I LIKE IT RAAAAAAW

These prints feature screen printed artwork created from vintage 1800s engravings of mushrooms / food crops. Words the one and only ODB. Text reads “OOOOOH BABY I LIKE IT RAAAAAAW” and was created with letterpressed wood type on a Vandercook No. 4T, made last October while I was on residency at . Each measures 12.5x19. You can see them all on the “Mantra Series” page.

Address

1305 W. 80th Street
Cleveland, OH
44102

Website

http://www.apebleakney.com/, https://apemade.etsy.com/

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