 My goal for the month was to complete 30 portraits at Sparrow Artspace. Though I used watercolours for the portraits, I decided to use Liquitex Acrylic Ink around each portrait, like a halo. It's been an interesting project and I'm considering expanding on it by creating larger portraits on paper and surrounding each image using gold or copper leaf. Hmmmm...I guess I'm not done with portraits quite yet. I also created 2-11x14 inch demos on prepared and cradled wood panels, one using watercolour and gold acrylic ink and the other using acrylic and textured using stencils and modelling paste. I've really enjoyed this month of experimentation.
 Some of my earliest memories are of learning handwork at the Leaf Rapids Exhibition Centre - knitting, crochet, weaving, beading, moccasin making and embroidery. For many years I've wanted to incorporate embroidery in my paintings after seeing so many different iterations of it and so I finally took the leap and added embroidered wheat to this painting titled 'Finding My Way'. The original reference was a photograph that I had taken of my daughter in a field in winter, but this image always felt Eastern European to me, which is part of my family history, and with wheat being as important to my heritage as handwork, I thought this might be a perfect combination. I used a tapestry needle and embroidery floss and I'm very happy with the 3-dimensional outcome, so much so that I'm thinking of adding more to a couple of other paintings I've kept.
 Another wonderful group of women (and 2 men!) for my final workshop at Sparrow Artspace. With my birthday on Sunday, it felt like a bit of a birthday bash :) Only 1 week left of the Artist Residency and I'm already sad to leave as it's been an incredible experience. I keep thinking that we need an artist's cafe where artists can come together regularly to create, support and learn from one another.
 Date & Time: Saturday, June 24, 1-4pm
Location: Sparrow Artspace, 36 Fourth St NE, Calgary, AB Fee: $25/person (all supplies included); maximum 10 participants Register: www.veronicafunk.com/workshops.html - FULL 
 I've enjoyed every single moment of this Artist Residency...I've been so lucky to share this beautiful space with Ana. There's been book altering and paint making and embroidery and watercolour portrait painting. Plus we've had so many wonderful visits with artists and friends. I've already accomplished more than I thought I would. and am looking forward to seeing what all comes of this time together.
 The Travel Journal Workshop was so much fun! I love watching people take supplies and play. Such a great group of women who came and tried something new. And, of course, Sparrow Artspace is located in such a beautiful building in such a lovely neighborhood...I love Bridgeland!
Ana & I had such a wonderful afternoon at our exhibit reception June 3. Not only did many of the women that I painted attend, but also many of our Mastrius 'family'...a number of whom were also part of the 'Woman's Work' project. It's amazing how incredible this past week was, from hanging the exhibit with Sandra & Jenny at Sparrow Artspace, to my Katherine's convocation to this. And, along with painting at Sparrow through the month, I'm also leading a couple of workshops which I am really excited about. It's already a great birthday month!
During my Artist Residency at Sparrow Artspace in Calgary, one of the women I painted for the 'Woman's Work' project, Dr. Heather Patterson, shared her book. She is an adult and pediatric emergency physician and an award-winning photographer from Calgary, AB. During the pandemic, she began photographing the intimate moments at Calgary hospitals that went on to become Shadows and Light, her recent book publication. Using compelling visual storytelling, her images depict the humanity of those we care for, the extraordinary team we work with, and the moments that define us as healthcare providers. Photographs from her ongoing project have been featured in Macleans, where they were a finalist for a National Magazine Award, The Globe and Mail, Calgary Herald and on national media outlets. She has received the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians’ award for Medical Journalism in 2022 and her images have been recognized in numerous international photography competitions.
DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 pm LOCATION: Sparrow Artspace, 36-4th Street NE, Calgary, AB 
The 'Woman's Work' exhibit has been amazing already...I've met so many wonderful women, including Monica Gonzalez Bruch, a SAIT photojournalism student who asked to take my photo at the gallery. I feel so awkward with photographs so I'm always pleasantly surprised when I see some that I like. Though I do wish I would have made a few 'tweaks' in my hair and expressions, I am very happy with these and really enjoyed talking with Monica. It was interesting to hear her story and to learn that she is currently living in my community, too.
 Date & Time: Saturday, June 10, 1-4pm
Location: Sparrow Artspace, 36 Fourth St NE, Calgary, AB Fee: $25/person (all supplies included); maximum 10 participants Register: www.veronicafunk.com/workshops.html - FULL |
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