April Cornell Like the artful influences experienced by the woman herself, April Cornell's licensed designs have an artistic sense that Cornell believes is unique to the licensing marketplace. "It's unusual for a retailer, manufacturer or licensed designer to be art driven like myself. For me, I think that's largely due to my background in, and love of, textiles. As with an artist's canvas or a bolt of cloth, I start my designs with the big picture and work my way down to the details!" Traveling the World for Design Inspiration A keen eye for artistic details is a natural for a woman who has lived one-third of her life overseas and traveled the world for more than 30 years. Her design references hail from far-flung locations like Paris, India, Portugal, Hong Kong and British Columbia. "I get much of my inspiration and style from observing how other people are living and what they are feeling in cities and towns around the globe." The result is a unique design style that has been crafted by a combination of international influences, including India's tradition of fabric embellishment, painting and tailoring, the atmosphere of a European cafe and the simple shape of a Chinese mandarin collar. Together, they help Cornell create a "licensing lifestyle" that is colorful and exotic, yet decidedly familiar. Establishing an Emotional Connection with Women Cornell has a natural talent for establishing an emotional bond with the women who enjoy her designs. As an independent, original thinker she creates products that make a woman and her home feel pretty, welcoming and interesting, but with a hint of the unexpected. "I like my designs to fashion an oasis for women, a place of beauty, calm, original ideas and uplifting and feminine things that make them feel great about being a woman." Cornell is committed to designing feminine and artistic licensed designs that are quintessentially artistic in character, are highly detailed, and add meaning to women's lives. Her designs often convey feminine, womanly expressions, whether in the curvaceous, rounded shape of a piece of pottery or an apron that is delicately tapered at the waist to reflect the natural curves of the female body. Designs Inspired by Nature Using nature's color palette, lines, forms and shapes as her guides, Cornell's designs are an inspiration to make an occasion of every day. She credits nature for providing the backdrop and the muse for many of her creations. "Flowers, leaves and birds are the recurring motif in all elements of my merchandise and designs," she says. "I love where nature takes me. Even when I can't be outside, I bring nature indoors with flowers and nature-inspired textiles and objects." A Talented and Joyful Writer A gifted writer, Cornell expresses her love of life, the joy that nature evokes in her and the enthusiasm she exudes about her designs in many forms of the written word. It is cheerfully communicated in her online journal, "April's Musings" (aprilcornell.com), and on the pages of "The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home" calendar, which she designed for Ronnie Sellers Productions. Cornell has also authored three books on color, art and scrapbooking, and is currently working on a book on quilting. Her book on scrapbooking has also been released as a demonstrational DVD. Cornell's Presence in the Licensing Field Cornell is currently focused on managing her ever-expanding presence as a licensed artist. Her designs are showcased in products by vendors including Danica/Now Designs, Manual Woodworkers, Moda Fabrics and Silvestri. Cornell's licensed designs for Silvestri include cottage-themed dinnerware, quilted bags and Christmas angels. For Moda Fabrics, she has created lines of fabric by the yard that cater to the fast growing quilting market. Cornell's designs and sense of color have been translated into rich, gorgeous tapestries, throws and pillows for Manual Woodworkers. Cornell also designs clothing, housewares and accessories for her retail stores in the United States and Canada. Housewares include bedding ensembles with coordinated cushions, throws and quilts; dining and breakfast cloths; and placemats, napkins, aprons and tea towels. A Passion for Giving Cornell and her husband share many philanthropic passions including caring for the people in the company's core production region in India. They actively support the Concern India Foundation and are trustees of the Giving World Foundation, which helps the under-privileged in India. The foundations fund many programs including schools and programs to empower women and help impoverished children living in ghettos and on the streets. "Each of the projects we're involved with is unique and interesting. It gives Chris and me such satisfaction to know that we are making a difference." That ability to "give something back" is one of the driving forces behind Cornell's work. "I find it so rewarding. The different people I've met around the world have influenced my whole perspective on how important giving back truly is. It's a privilege to be involved in local, national or international projects and see the change that can occur in children, women, men and communities." Born in Montreal, Canada, to parents from Nova Scotia, Cornell is one of four children. While studying Fine Arts at Dawson College, Cornell met her husband and business partner. They are the parents of three sons: Cameron, Lee and Kelly. Cornell and her husband have headquarters in India, Vermont and Montreal. They reside in Burlington, Vermont, near the shores of picturesque Lake Champlain.