 I’m excited to offer mentoring for Emerging Artists through a new program launched by Canadian artist Julie deBoer, through her company, LevellingUp. @julie.deboer.art @levellingup I’ll be mentoring 1 group of 8 artists, starting in February. We’ll meet as a group for 2 hours, once per month via videoconference (preferably for a 6 month minimum). 🚩CLICK levellingup.ca to get all the details or visit https://www.levellingup.ca/veronica-funk-mastermind/ We’re going to tackle all the hurdles and struggles you face as a growing artist: 🟣 create & sustain a THRIVING business as an artist, one you can actually live off of 🟣 build your BRAND & MARKET yourself 🟣 go SOLO online or approach GALLERIES for representation 🟣 manage your time for max PRODUCTION 🟣 and more! I’m really looking forward to it -- built by artists, for artists!   This year has already been off to a busy beginning. I passed my university math course, all my General Education Requirements are now complete and I'm on to Art History - much better :)...and though I feel a little overwhelmed with all that was neglected during the last month of study, I am also very grateful. I'm looking forward to the day that I can exhibit 'The Grandmothers' project and hope it happens this year. I'm grateful my family has been well and working this year and I am so glad I've been able to take regular walks along the creek, I think that has kept me feeling balanced. It's tax preparation time, never fun, and I've continued with prepping canvases for my next project, which I'm really looking forward to though I think I need a little break between completing one project and starting another. I have been doodling in my moleskine pocket sketchbook and planning a few paintings for group exhibits. Plus my studio has had a thorough clean. Always a great way to begin a new year.
 Every now and again I recognize that my brushes need a thorough wash. I try to maintain them regularly with Masters Brush Wash or non-toxic dish soap and warm water, but then once in awhile I decide to soak them in a mixture of 1/2 warm water + 1/2 Murphy's Oil Soap. I do the same thing with my brayers. It's especially important on the brush I use with gel media as that can harden up very quickly. I'm pretty tough on that brush.
One of my greatest privileges is being trusted with portraits of family members and loved ones. I wanted to thank everyone who has contacted me over the past year to create special pieces for themselves and as gifts for others. My heart is full.
Awhile ago I painted this portrait of Nancy Smith who was the Assistant Section Officer of the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF). She was from Calgary and one of only two women from the first contingent of the Women's Division to support the Allies in Britain during WWII. The RCAF Women's Division was non-combatant and worked in positions such wireless operators, drivers, mechanics, parachute riggers and photographers.
..... To read more interesting Calgary history, visit @heritagecalgary on www.instagram.com  Shortly after my father passed away, I was going through old family photographs when I began to wonder how I could honour those women who came before us. The idea of remembering what our grandmothers have done, often without recognition, inspired me to begin creating a body of work consisting of weekly portrait paintings based on photographs and stories that have been shared with me.
My goal was to include our ancestors and to share their stories in order to share the challenges and successes of these women. As the Covid-19 pandemic hit worldwide during this process, I found 'The Grandmothers' project to be even more important. So many of these women had survived world wars, droughts, poverty, violence and illness. They were uprooted from their families and still found a way to support and encourage their children and grandchildren. Each day I entered my studio, I was encouraged by the faces and stories of these women. With this project I wanted to honour the women who have made a difference in the lives of their families, through their portraits and their stories and memories of their sacrifices and how they overcame many challenges. They give me hope. 'The Grandmothers' book is now available for preview and purchase online via Blurb Books here.
About 1 1/2 years ago I started another altered book, this book was titled 'Worthy' and, though I loved the title, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I started by gathering together all my materials...rubber stamps, lace, ribbons, hole punches, magazine clippings, photographs, paint swatches, small envelopes and gouache paint. After gluing things throughout the book, I began removing pages where it was too thick, and adding pages where I felt something was needed. I kept gluing and cutting and painting until it began to come together. Over the Christmas holiday, as I was cleaning out my studio, I decided to keep the book on my drafting table so that I would continue to work on it. And it is finally finished! It makes me really happy to flip through the pages, so I know it's perfect for me.
 For awhile I've been preparing these canvases for a new project...actually two parts of a new project. The first stack will be 'Extraordinary Women: Part I' and the second 'Extraordinary Women: Part II'. When I was interviewed about 'The Grandmothers' project recently, I was asked what was next...I kind of fumbled an answer so I think I'll wait a couple of weeks before I begin, I need the break in any case, plus I have an exam to prepare for (math...yikes!). Anyway, since I had these canvases set aside for art classes in schools that didn't happen this year, I've decided that Part I will consist of 18-7x14 canvases and Part II 14-8x10, so 32 canvases in all, not quite the 52 or 100 that I've been leaning towards in the past. The other thing that is different this year is that my focus will be on using non-toxic professional grade oil pigments which I will be mixing myself. That is very exciting to me. So, it will be a year of experimentation and a big shift in my way of working. A little nervous, but mostly excited.
 Several people have asked about the purchase of 'The Grandmothers' paintings. Since our current circumstances are still a bit of a challenge, the date for the exhibit hasn't been set yet, so those who are interested in purchasing a painting may at this time. Each piece is painted on 8x10 gallery depth canvas and will come with their story and are listed at $275 each. If you would like more information, please email me at any time here.
 Over the past few months I chose to work on an abstract series of gallery depth canvases in order to ground myself in these turbulent times. Each mixed media painting was inspired by the colours of the sky and graffiti on the streets and a variety of music, as I believe that nature and the arts are extremely important, especially now. My goal was to create work that could be hung in any direction and that pieces would complement each other so that they could also be displayed together (like a quilt or a puzzle), allowing the viewer to be part of the creative process. I have decided to focus on small works so would like to find these canvases new homes. You are welcome to use them as a base for new works and I am also open to adding an image to a canvas as well (ie. canoe, wildflower, tipi...see my portfolio for ideas). I can safely deliver to a doorstep within the Calgary region (and, eventually, the Lethbridge region) otherwise shipping charges will added and, as always, would be happy to donate pieces to support special causes. The available works are shown on my SALE page and sizes are listed in inches (click on each image to enlarge). If there are any questions, please do contact me via email here.
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