::VERONICA FUNK::
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
    • A Room of One's Own
    • Alberta Bound
    • Portraits >
      • Ahead of Her Time
      • Extraordinary Women
      • Grandmothers
      • Heroes
      • Mastrius Women
      • Nasty Women
      • Pocket Portraits - 100 Women Artists
      • Postcard Portrait Project
      • The Women
      • Women of the West
      • Woman's Work
      • Wunderland
    • 52 WEEKS >
      • Art Journals
      • Gratitude
      • Storytellers
      • Wild
      • Wildflowers
    • Fashion Plates
    • Sacred Vessel
    • Simple Pleasures
    • Sketchbooks
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Galleries
  • Free Resources
    • Info for Artists
    • Workshops >
      • Painting Animals
      • Painting Art Journals
      • Painting Backgrounds
      • Painting Bees
      • Painting Canoes
      • Painting CityScapes
      • Painting Flowers
      • Painting Hearts & Houses
      • Painting Landscapes
      • Painting Portraits
      • Travel Journalling
      • The Business of Art
  • Contact

Journal.

Finding Success as an Artist

12/22/2014

 
Picture
It took me a long time to figure out what success as an artist meant to me.  Originally I thought it was for my work to be recognizable by peers and patrons, then to be published and/or accepted as a professional artist, and finally, to have a modicum of sales which would ensure that I could continue on this sometimes lonely but not inexpensive path.  At one time I felt like a success when my work was published alongside Pavarotti in the Avenue Magazine in Calgary, or when I was interviewed for Shaw and Global television. 

But these days I tend to feel most successful when I work...even when the work isn't exactly heading in the direction which I had initially planned.  Just being in my studio (or on occasion in the garden or garage) and working stems more ideas and really gets those creative juices flowing.  I find that the more I work, the less critical I am of myself which allows the work to flow more freely...though it doesn't mean it's all good, but rather that it's just part of the process.  I love the process now more than anything and sometimes become saddened at the end which is a far cry about how I used to feel. 

In the beginning it was all about quantity over quality.  I think much of my life was like that.  Amassing more rather than focusing on what matters.  Maybe it's my age or just gathering experience over time but these days I like to think that success is trying rather than not.  As my husband likes to say (he's full of sports analogies) never, ever, ever give up (Vince Lombardi paraphrasing Winston Churchill).
Jeanne Marklin link
1/13/2015 09:46:42 am

I've come to the same conclusion. The process makes me feel very excited and most alive. The business end doesn't...so doing the work is the path at this point.

Veronica Funk link
1/13/2015 12:42:42 pm

Jeanne...I'm finding it interesting that I experience more material success when I'm not looking for it and rather focus on the work instead.

stacy hurt link
1/13/2015 03:03:37 pm

Yes! Experiencing the joy of making! All the sudden I had several works done and while shsring the making process had enquiries about purchases so by the time they were all done they were all sold! It was magical! And it reminded me...I need to make what I want to make. If my love and passion is in it, others like that too. And even if they don't it's ok as I love what I'm doing!

Veronica Funk link
1/14/2015 01:02:49 am

Isn't it interesting, Stacy, that when we love what we do others can't help but love it, too? I think the energy that goes into the work is infectious...and that the right audience will find it.

Michelle link
1/13/2015 03:39:53 pm

Very encouraging and wise words, thanks for sharing x

Veronica Funk link
1/14/2015 01:03:36 am

Thank you very much Michelle.

Averil Stuart-Head link
1/14/2015 04:31:53 am

Hello Veronica, it has taken me a while also to come to the same conclusion. For the best part of 2014 I worked in isolation and I loved it. I withdrew from most distractions, well apart from studying other artists on the Internet. Check out Agnes Martins writings, they are inspirational. Cheers Ave

Veronica Funk link
1/14/2015 12:55:47 pm

I've done that, too...actually moved to a farmhouse in the middle of the prairies with no internet and it was a great time of creative growth for me. And thank you for the suggestion.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
    • A Room of One's Own
    • Alberta Bound
    • Portraits >
      • Ahead of Her Time
      • Extraordinary Women
      • Grandmothers
      • Heroes
      • Mastrius Women
      • Nasty Women
      • Pocket Portraits - 100 Women Artists
      • Postcard Portrait Project
      • The Women
      • Women of the West
      • Woman's Work
      • Wunderland
    • 52 WEEKS >
      • Art Journals
      • Gratitude
      • Storytellers
      • Wild
      • Wildflowers
    • Fashion Plates
    • Sacred Vessel
    • Simple Pleasures
    • Sketchbooks
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Galleries
  • Free Resources
    • Info for Artists
    • Workshops >
      • Painting Animals
      • Painting Art Journals
      • Painting Backgrounds
      • Painting Bees
      • Painting Canoes
      • Painting CityScapes
      • Painting Flowers
      • Painting Hearts & Houses
      • Painting Landscapes
      • Painting Portraits
      • Travel Journalling
      • The Business of Art
  • Contact