Airdrie artist Veronica Funk's residency with The Alberta Society of Artists (ASA) is the first of its kind. She is carrying out her archival research project, Women of the West. But Funk has had this project on her mind for quite some time. She began thinking about it during the pandemic.

"I'd been taking some art history classes, and as a graduate of Art and Design back in the mid-80s, I was hoping that our curriculum had progressed, and unfortunately, any of the women they discussed were somebody's spouse or somebody's daughter, instead of as these incredible artists in their own right; and in fact, a lot of them were even more successful than the men that have been discussed."

The project evolved as she began delving into the research more, specifically into the women artists in the province who had found success in the early 1900s.

"Because I'm a painter, I focused on female painters, and then I started reaching out to museums and archives around Alberta to gather information."

The opportunity for the first-ever residency at the ASA seemed like the natural fit.
"I thought this would be a perfect opportunity, and I wanted to submit it because I could also utilize their archives while working on this project there."

According to the ASA's website, Funk will also visit the Galt Museum archives in Lethbridge and the Whyte Museum archives in Banff, along with the research of the Alberta Society of Artists archives.

"A residency can mean so many things. It could be workshops or teaching workshops. It could be a learning experience, or in my case, I'll be working on new material with a new medium - because my husband developed allergies to acrylics - which I've been using for 40 years. I'm switching my medium to watercolours," she said. "This residency allows me not only to create new work and experiment with a new medium but also to do more research."

Funk said there's an interactive portion because it is also open to the public.
"Just on the weekend, a couple of children sat down with me and painted, which was fabulous. I love anything interactive like that."

She has begun exploring the contributions of female artists like Edith Fanny Kirk and Margaret Shelton, who have faced challenges yet achieved significant artistic success in Alberta. Kirk founded the Lethbridge Sketch Club, while Shelton created watercolour paintings inspired by her surroundings.

"It's just an inspirational thing for me, but I'm thinking, if it inspires me, it will also inspire other female artists," Funk added. "Every one of them that I've learned about, I just think, 'I love this woman. This is who I want to emulate'. It's hard to narrow down which artist [is my favourite]. [Maybe] Edith Fanny Kirk; she was the first artist I had stumbled upon, and Margaret Shelton... The more I read and learn about them - I'm just in awe of these women."

While her residency will finish at the end of the month, Funk has plenty of work left on her project. Funk will be working on creating 52 pieces (each 22 by 30 inches) that will feature paintings of women artists and photos, articles, and their stories.

Funk’s “Mastrius Women” collection will also be displayed during her residency. Visitors can drop into the gallery (222-1235 26 Ave SE, Calgary; located on the Second Floor of the Crossroads Market) to visit with the artist, Thursdays to Saturdays in September and October, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

"William and May Morris were textile designers, poets, artists, writers, and socialist activists associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement."

I've always loved working at a drafting table...in high school I loved my drafting class because of those tables, not so much for the exact detail required in class :) The first photograph (top) was taken by my good friend & glass artist Jacky Berting in Red Deer College in 1986. The 2nd was taken by another good friend who I also met in college, photographer Trevor DeGraff, but this one was taken in my home studio. The one to the right was taken in a temporary studio during Covid as my daughter had to come home for a bit during university, so I gave her my larger space...it was taken by Libertee Muzyka for Hero Images. The bottom left was taken by Ariel Jade Photography this past spring when I moved back into my studio after a renovation. And the final image was taken by one of the wonderful women in one of my Mastrius groups, photographer Shallon Cunningham, during my current Artist Residency at the ASA Gallery...I had chosen to bring my drafting table to work on location as, due to adhesive capsulitis, my shoulders need the ability to change the angle to adapt to what I'm doing for ease of use. My drafting table is a bit battered and has seen better days but I still love it!

I had the greatest privilege of meeting several of the Mastrius women that I have mentored over the past few years and one of them is this amazing photographer. Shallon stopped by the ASA Gallery to take some photographs of my residency and I am so, so thrilled. Her work is absolutely stunning...what an incredible honour. Thank you so much Shallon!

Back in the spring, the loveliest photographer (aren't they all?) visited my studio. It was so nice to get photos in my refreshed space as the last time a photographer visited I was in a different space because it was still Covid era and my daughter had to move home from university for awhile. Ariel was so fun and funny and a real pleasure to have visit. I have been very lucky to know so many incredible photographers throughout my years and feel so privileged every time they ask to stop by...this is especially meaningful for a girl who never felt pretty and as an aging woman. Thank you Ariel! <3

"The patterned mats around the images are a nod to social media filters and were inspired by British designer William Morris and his daughter May."

I've been practicing direct watercolour...the act of using only a waterbrush & watercolour paint (instead of incorporating any pencils, pencil crayons or pens) in order to simplify my supplies and process. It's been a steep learning curve but I am enjoying it. My goal is to be able to travel with less. I'm a minimalist at heart. :)

I really enjoy using watercolour ground on cradled wood panels so l mixed my own to try on stretched canvas & watercolour paper. On the left portrait I used Daniel Smith pearlescent ground on wood panel & on the right is my trial with homemade watercolour on canvas. At first I was unsure of the effect but I'm pleased with the outcome. After the painting is thouroughly dry (I'll give it a couple of days) I will protect it with a layer of Dorlands Wax.
 
WATERCOLOUR GROUND:
1 part modelling paste
3 parts gesso
up to 10% water
 
I also added Daniel Smith pearlescent ground (love that shimmer) & used that 118ml container as my measuring cup.
Recommend using 1-3 coats & allow to dry at least 24 hours before applying watercolours. I love that it looks like a jar of cream on my table. :)

Stampington & Company has graciously offered a coupon code to share a 15% discount on everything in their store with my family, friends & followers. I've been so fortunate to have my work featured in several publications:

- Art Journaling
- Artful Blogging
- In Her Studio
- Somerset Studio Gallery
- What Women Create

To take advantage of this discount, use code PUBLISHED15. Thank you Stampington!