Undercover artist: April Seaworth depicts springtime Notts in motion

Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is April, I’m a poster artist and illustrator from Russia. I moved because of the war, and that experience has shaped how I see art: it needs to be honest, direct, and understandable to everyone. I love creating visual statements that speak immediately about what matters.

I’m fascinated by how art can bring people together — regardless of race, religion, or political beliefs. My goal is to create work that feels alive in space and time, challenges the viewer, and stays with them after they’ve seen it.

For me, visual work is a way to talk about the times we live in and the state of the world without explaining everything directly.

What’s the story behind the cover?

This cover began with a simple question: how do you draw a city that never stands still?

I wanted to capture the recognisable architecture of Nottingham’s city centre — the familiar building which now houses The Alchemist, a landmark many of us pass without thinking. 

The cherry blossoms are deliberate. They don’t belong to stone or brick — they belong to time. For a few weeks each year (in April!), they soften the geometry of a UK city. They interrupt routine. 

The cut-out urban map layered through the composition acts like a second skin — a reminder that every modern city is built on invisible grids, systems and histories. We navigate it daily, often unconsciously. 

I was interested in the contrast between speed and stillness — Nottingham, to me, feels like a city balancing heritage and reinvention. That tension is where the cover lives.

What inspires you as an artist?
I’m inspired by almost everything. Lately, I pay more attention to emotions, political events, how the planet breathes, and how people feel. I try to weave all this into another world – one that everyone can understand.

Connection with nature is also essential for me. It’s important because nature teaches us to notice the small details that often get lost in everyday life.

Tell us about some projects you’ve worked on in the past…
I have an amazing little book about London that’s still waiting for a publisher. It’s built from children’s stories about their favorite places, and I simply illustrated and designed it. Sometimes children even sent handwritten letters to be part of the story. The book isn’t published yet, but if it ever happens, it will probably feel like a shared triumph.

Do you have any tricks for getting started and staying inspired as a creative?
I believe that if we rely only on inspiration, we’ll never truly become artists. Art requires skill, dedication, and discipline. In Russia, there’s a saying: ‘talent you can’t drink away — no matter what, you’ll always stay an artist.’ But honestly, I don’t believe in talent. Some people may have more natural aptitude, but without work, nothing happens. My main advice if you’re exhausted – draw every day – even ten minutes is better than zero.

If you could sit down and chat with any artist in your field, who would it be and what would you talk about?
There are so many artists I’d love to talk to. Definitely Igor Gurovich, Marina Abramović, the brilliant El Lissitzky, Alexander Rodchenko… I’d ask them how to stop feeling like a bad artist, how to stop fearing what others might think, and how to push beyond the limits of your artistic self.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell the LeftLion readers?
Always notice absurdities and small details around you — they hide unexpected meaning and inspiration. Play with form and chaos and look for unusual combinations, even in everyday life. It keeps your view of the world alive and helps you see things that normally go unnoticed.

@_a_reel