I have doing one thing after another, so I just realized that I didn't share some of my latest hearts for valentines...I don't think it's ever too late to send out a little love so here we are. :)

On another note...the 'Woman's Work' project will begin in March and for that I am so excited! Thank you so much for sharing your photographs and stories with me.

Airdrie Echo
by Riley Cassidy

Airdrie-based artist Veronica Funk’s massive project, titled, “The Grandmothers,” is being exhibited for the first time, on display at the Leighton Art Centre in Millarville, Alta.

The project is the collection of 60 painted portraits and stories of different women who continue to serve as inspiration to their descendants to this day, featuring 30 Albertan grandmothers, and 30 more from around Canada and the rest of the world.

Funk finished the project in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, so there have been few opportunities to share it with the public, but the project was finally exhibited for the first time on February 5.

Funk said she was elated that she can finally physically share the project with others.
“Museums and galleries have been closed so much, so this is actually the first time there’s been an opening,” said Funk.

“I knew I was going to have to wait (to show the project), so this was kind of like the icing on the cake. This was the perfect opportunity,” she said.

53 of the 60 grandmothers are on display at the Leighton Art Centre. Folks who go to check it out will be able to find a seat to read through the stories that are paired with each portrait.

It’s one of the first two exhibits that the Leighton Art Centre has been able to showcase since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and given its history, Funk said she was honoured to be featured.
“Barbara Leighton was the one who started the Leighton Art Centre. It’s a historical building, and fitting that these grandmothers are in there,” she said.

“It’s so nice that it was a woman who started this as an art centre, and these grandmothers are being shown there. It’s just the perfect fit with the Leighton Art Centre.”

Funk has been approached about having the project featured in other exhibits, but so far there are no concrete plans.

She said she would like to exhibit it in Airdrie, but current opportunities are scarce.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities for local artists to show their work anymore in Airdrie. Maybe someday (it will come to Airdrie),” she said.

The Leighton Art Centre is about an hour drive from Airdrie, but checking out, “The Grandmothers,” may be a good excuse for a day trip for anybody who might feel like going for a drive.

More about the exhibit and Funk can be found at leightoncentre.org or veronicafunk.com.

This weekend I ended up finishing three 12x12 canoes that I had begun awhile ago. It ended up being a snowy, cozy studio Family Day weekend since I also wired all of the 55 'Extraordinary Women' (finally!). The wire I have access to currently is rather stiff and very hard on my fingers so it's been taking awhile but at least it's now done. Another thing off my checklist.

Since I grew up in northern Canada, part of my upbringing included outdoor education skills which included caring for the environment as well as survinal in the wilderness. My favourite thing was canoeing on the lakes off the Churchill River. I'm so glad that I got to grow up in the boreal forest...it was quiet, peaceful and so beautiful. 

I also feel fortunate to live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in western Canada now. I'm glad we raised our children here in a supportive community on the cusp of national parks. We spent much time with our girls wandering and picnicing in the mountains. They inspire me every day, and after spending time in Banff for the Artist Residency, the women I've been reading about who forged a path have got me thinking...hmmmm...I see something brewing for the future.

Recently I had a terrific chat with Alabama artist April Harris who was also part of my 'Nasty Women' project many years ago. The podcast and print copy are available via her website and there is also a video on youtube here. 

'The Grandmothers Project' exhibition booklet is now available at the Leighton Art Centre. It features the portrait painting and story of each woman in this body of work.

The exhibitions opening this month at Leighton Art Centre each revolve around characters.
For The Grandmothers, a portrait collection by Airdrie artist Veronica Funk, those characters are the strong women who have been symbols of strength to their offspring.
Painting one each week, her portraits were based on old family photographs of strong female role models sent in by their grandchildren.
The project, looking back on past generations, was decades in the making.
“Several years ago my father passed away, and then the following year when we went back to Manitoba to go through old family photos,” Funk said. “I found out my great grandmother was a midwife in South America.
“She had delivered the most healthy babies and her photograph is in a hospital in the city of Asunción.”
Practising in a turn-of-the-century hospital in South America, Funk said her great grandmother Gertruda Toews was a trailblazer in safe medical and birthing practices for the hospital, learning from a Canadian medical textbook.
“She learned about sterilization, so she made everyone in the room boil linens, wash their hands and sterilize all the equipment they used, scissors and everything,” Funk said, adding her aunt still possesses those scissors.

“She took the initiative to study and learn in order to help other women, and I thought if my great grandmother had done something this amazing, I would love to hear the stories of other grandmothers.

“I put out a call on social media and asked people to share photos and stories of their grandmothers and great grandmothers and the response was just phenomenal.”

As the pandemic took hold, the project became a driving force for Funk.

“In March 2020, COVID hit and so many of our elders were directly affected, so it became even more meaningful as I went along with this process,” she said. 
"Plus having isolation time and galleries shutting down, it was so nice to stay connected to other people through this project.

“And to honour these women that have come before us, because there’s just so much they have done to allow us to do what we do today.”

The paintings, while created off reference photos from various eras, are juxtaposed with a layered painting style that incorporates other elements such as typography or lace graphics that complement the pursuits of that character.

~ Brent Calver, Okotoks Western Wheel

I was thrilled to be spending a week as part of an Artist Residency at the Banff Boutique Inn in the stunning Rocky Mountains. It is a gorgeous historical home set across the Bow River just a few minutes walk from downtown Banff. I spent the first day planning & prepping for the days ahead and was so excited...the way the sunlight was hitting the mountains was incredible...and that balmy Chinook weather continued most of the week.

I ended up finding tiny tubes of Liquitex Heavy Body acrylic so instead of packing 3 primaries (my usual are napthol red, pthalo blue & Indian yellow) plus titanium white, I decided to bring split primaries (warm & cool):

• yellow oxide
• yellow medium azo
• napthol red light
• quinacridone crimson
• cerulean blue hue
• ultramarine blue

I also toned one side of the panels in yellow oxide, napthol red or quin crimson. The opposite side of each I used a grey gesso as a neutral since I want to paint both sides of each panel...my plan was en plein air (painting outside) on one side & an inside on the other.

I also used a View Catcher (the little grey square that I can use to crop & select my view), Princeton & Royal Langnickel paint brushes, a little spray bottle of water, a stay wet palette, a brush washer with a couple of drops of flow medium, a rag and, always my Judson's Guerilla painter pochade box. I like to pack pretty light.

Each painting is double-sided, painted on 6x8 inch panels that I prepared prior to leaving for Banff. I had planned for the front of each to be a landscape painting and the back (well, the opposite side) to be something from an interior. I had an incredible view of the Cascade Mountains from the Inn's great room and our bedroom had beautiful wainscotting that became a lovely backdrop.

I was so grateful for all the benches in & around around Banff as it meant that I didn't even need to take a tripod...less to carry is always better. The sky cleared up after a snow-laden but still warm Chinook day and the mountains were glorious. It was kind of in-between seasons so it was very quiet, which was lovely.

​I had such wonderful days..while out painting as part of the artist-in-residence program I ended up having a nice chat with two exchange students from Europe (Switzerland & Germany). They asked if we could take a selfie together as part of a school project. I gave them my card & was later thrilled to find an email from them with the photo. Thank you so much Amelie & Hanne! 💕

​Each day I got out at the break of dawn to begin work but one morning it started to rain so I headed back to the Inn to complete the back of this piece which ended up being our tea on the terrace overlooking the Cascade Mountains. It didn't take long before the sun shone through again and though there were still heavy clouds in the sky, the Chinook winds were so warm. Everything was melting rapidly. Another amazing day in Banff. I will miss this very much. 💕

When I visited the Banff Trading Post I knew I wanted to pick up something with the work of Norval Morriseau which I incorporated onto the 'back' of 2 paintings. The painting is not an exact replica, but rather inspired by it, and I did that with a second piece as well.
.....
Norval Morriseau (1932-2007) was known as the 'Picasso of the North'. I first saw his work at the Exhibition Centre in my northern Manitoba hometown as he was the founder of the Woodlands School of Canadian Art that included Benjamin Chee Chee, another one of my childhood favourites.
.....
On the opposite side of the panel is the Trading Post which has been operating in Banff for 118 years...I remember visiting it is a very young girl. My dad bought me a little doll.
.....
On the opposite of the second is the original homestead of Banff artist Charlie Beil (1894-1976). I found out that he actually designed the @banffboutiqueinn where I've been working as the artist-in-residence this week. A drawing of his is located on the wall just outside my suite.
.....
I really love creating these 2-sided pieces as they tell a bigger story & can be changed by the owner...it feels a little collaborative that way. Swipe through to see the actual Norval Morriseau mug...it's been great for tea breaks.

​My dad took photographs of my brother & I in the Cascade of Time Gardens when we were young and I remember thinking that the historic Parks Canada Building was a castle. It was awe-inspiring, especially for a little girl from a very tiny northern town. In all the years I've been visiting Banff I haven't stopped by this place again until this Residency...I think I'll pack a picnic when I return in the summer as I'd love to capture this place when there are flowers in bloom.

​The view down Main Street in Banff towards the Cascade Mountains and then champagne flutes on the back now lives at the Banff Boutique Inn. It seemed like a fitting celebration.

The time passed so quickly & I've been sad to say goodbye. When I was planning how I would spend my time during this Artist Residency at the Banff Boutiqie Inn I decided on two things.
.....
The first was that I wanted to create 8-6x8 double-sided acrylic paintings on panels...small so that I could spend a lot of time walking & set up my pochade quickly. This meant creating 16 paintings in a short period of time and I wanted both sides of each of connect in some way...hoping to create an inside/out theme as it reflects the past two years for me. Lots of walks & lots of time at home.
.....
The second was to focus on the things that have always been important to me in this place. I am a fair-weather outdoor enthusiast so I was fortunate to experiece incredible Chinook weather. Also, when I'm in the mountains I'm not really concerned about the names of the mountains, especially since they have been changed from their original, but rather about how they make me feel.
.....
I have also learned over time that creating a body of work helps me to improve my skillset & confirms what is important in the work that I choose to create & how I create it. The story behind my work is as important to me as the work itself.
.....
Thank you so much for having me Lee & Becky...the Banff Boutique Inn is lovely, the location was so quiet & peaceful, and the staff so friendly. We'll definitely be back.

​SquareFootShow hosts virtual art shows which are fun, fast-paced, and showcase the incredible talent of emerging + established artists alike.

The show goes live at exactly 6 pm MST on February 9, and it is often true that many artists will sell out within the first few minutes of opening. But, don’t let that discourage you!

The sale lasts until 6 pm on the third day and there are always plenty of original pieces to choose from. Each piece (from every artist!) is $300 CAD (approx $245 USD) + shipping & handling. It couldn’t be easier to support the arts and bring a bit of creativity and joy into your home!

During each show, they also host a giveaway of a painting, this year from that show’s headline artist Julie deBoer. The winner is selected from subscribers to their email list. What’s more, they also provide email list subscribers with a preview of the pieces 48 hours prior to showtime.

​SquareFootShow hosts virtual art shows which are fun, fast-paced, and showcase the incredible talent of emerging + established artists alike.

The show goes live at exactly 6 pm MST on February 9, and it is often true that many artists will sell out within the first few minutes of opening. But, don’t let that discourage you!

The sale lasts until 6 pm on the third day and there are always plenty of original pieces to choose from. Each piece (from every artist!) is $300 CAD (approx $245 USD) + shipping & handling. It couldn’t be easier to support the arts and bring a bit of creativity and joy into your home!

During each show, they also host a giveaway of a painting, this year from that show’s headline artist Julie deBoer. The winner is selected from subscribers to their email list. What’s more, they also provide email list subscribers with a preview of the pieces 48 hours prior to showtime.

​SquareFootShow hosts virtual art shows which are fun, fast-paced, and showcase the incredible talent of emerging + established artists alike.

The show goes live at exactly 6 pm MST on February 9, and it is often true that many artists will sell out within the first few minutes of opening. But, don’t let that discourage you!

The sale lasts until 6 pm on the third day and there are always plenty of original pieces to choose from. Each piece (from every artist!) is $300 CAD (approx $245 USD) + shipping & handling. It couldn’t be easier to support the arts and bring a bit of creativity and joy into your home!

During each show, they also host a giveaway of a painting, this year from that show’s headline artist Julie deBoer. The winner is selected from subscribers to their email list. What’s more, they also provide email list subscribers with a preview of the pieces 48 hours prior to showtime.