On the easel and on the night stand...

I haven't had much opportunity to spend time in my studio so this piece is moving a little more slowly than usual...well, I shouldn't say that as I do tend to find the time to read. Currently I'm reading a novel titled The Prairie Bridesmaid by Daria Salamon. It's a book I stumbled upon while I was reading something else and was drawn to it because it's set in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the place I was born. I love reading about neighborhoods and streets that I'm familiar with and have been having a difficult time putting it down as it deals with disfunctional relationships, in particular a verbally abusive one, something I'm personally familiar with from my past. Until I got into a healthy relationship with my husband, I didn't realize how unhealthy my previous one was...a very controlled environment, my wardrobe and friends (the very few I was allowed to keep in touch with on rare occasions) were selected for me. I fought back with angry words but always felt guilty about the fact that I was the 'cause' of the unhappiness and disappointment. I never felt good enough. We were almost married. And all these years since (as this occured half a lifetime ago) I've wondered how I allowed myself to continue to remain in that relationship for that length of time. I've never been able to put my finger on the actual situation until reading this book. The main character refers to those people who continue in a job they hate until they go postal, instead of walking away. And how, like an addiction, no one else can help until the person in that position chooses to walk away. It's difficult to see others suffer but, as she refers to her sister who is also in a bad situation, Anna says, "I know she needs to come up with her own answers. We all do, though it's easier to impose unsolicited solutions onto those we love." I do get very frustrated with Anna but am enjoying this read in any case. And I am so very grateful for the life I have, the family and friends I have been blessed with and for many, many wonderful new opportunities in all areas of my life.

"Occasion"

"Occasion", acrylic/canvas, 24"x24"

These days are going much too quickly...Christmas shopping & wrapping, meetings & work, shows to plan and prepare for and always plenty to do at home, it seems that I never have enough time in my days. Never enough time to paint or read as much as I'd like (which is a lot!). But I am enjoying this extended autumn, my favorite time of the year, enjoying walking more and the time I'm spending with my family. I miss being nearer to my extended family but am grateful that my immediate family enjoys spending so much time together. Now, I'm looking forward to having friends for dinner, to enjoy my youngest daughter's 10th birthday (a big one, finally two digits), to decorating our home for the holidays and think I'll just have to make time to paint and read more once again. It is the season, is it not?

My website is back up...

First I want to thank Paula of Little Scraps of Magic for this package of magic little scraps that I received through the paper exchange hosted by Woven Letters. I'm thinking of creating a 'messenger series' of mixed media paintings. LaWendula also posted a great piece about art and the starsigns and here's what it says about Cancer:

The sea! And all it’s treasures. This is what art must be about. You love paintings in blue and turquoise, green and white. The shells and the driftwood on the beach are a piece of (your) art. You love everything that feels like home, that feels familiar and connects you with your loved ones. You like the images of mothers in art. You like nostalgic things and vintage style. No doubt, you will make it in the end! Just carry on! Enjoy your art time.

And second, I finally posted my website once again - the address is http://www.veronicafunk.com/. If you're interested, I would love to get feedback as I've changed it drastically from what it used to be. I've simplified it (don't I do that with everything in my life?) and have only posted a handful of paintings that have been created over the past 15 years ~ I used the best photos ;)

Begin again...

I'm working on a series of canvases that measure 30"x24" utilizing my antique chairs as the subject matter and incorporating a wallpaper-type background. I've been having fun adding pattern, something I've admired in other artists work for some time. I enjoy visiting heritage sites and the rooms are often sparsley furnished but patterned with elaborate wallpapers. I like the idea of simplicity and the wallpaper patterns, often created with nature in mind, seen to embrace that concept while adding another layer to a space. In my home, my walls have been painted solid colours and I utilize art to create the patterns...one of my favorite pieces was painted by Grant Leier, vibrant colour and pattern that pops against my earth toned walls. In my own work, I still use a terra cotta toned ground to 'draw' an image on with my brush - my underpainting. I believe this piece will be completed in greens and burnt orange...but that is sometimes subject to change dependant upon my feeling at the time. I tend to work intuitively, adding or changing the work as needed in process. I always find it interesting how I am inspired by other artists, no matter their media. Though, on occasion, when I see a potter or printmaker at work, I briefly consider throwing out the brushes and picking up new equipment for my next 'phase' as an artist...thankfully that feeling disolves as soon as I return to my studio ;)

At Every Turn: The Work Of Bob Gregson

Inspiring...

Medieval Heart

This is my latest aquisition from the lovely and talented Cheryl at Inspirations Studio. Unfortunately the photo doesn't do it justice...the colours in the lampworked glass heart are stunning, I love the hand hammered swirl and variety of ribbons. It feels strong and delicate at the same time.

Also, today my etsy shop is being featured on the lovely Rita Vindedzis' blog. It is an honour for me to be mentioned as her work is beautiful and has been featured on many magazines and HGTV decorating programs. It's an interior designer's dream. Besides being represented by a number of galleries, she also features smaller items in her etsy shop. Having grown up in northern Manitoba, I'm quite partial to her ethereal landscapes.

As I was traveling north a week ago, listening to the radio brought back so many memories of different ages and stages in my life. The first 45 my Dad bought me when I was about 4 years old - the song was Little Willie by The Sweet. Gotta love the '70's...the video's worth a watch just to reminisce about the fashion of the day. A few years later I went through a major disco phase - I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, BeeGees - then it was on to movie soundtracks like Animal House and Grease..."Sailing" by Christopher Cross was an absolute favorite. In high school it was Trooper, The Eagles, Journey, Supertramp, Prism, The J.Geils Band, Blondie, and though I hate to admit it, I did enjoy Air Supply for a time. After that it was on to AC/DC and Loverboy (I had a crush on Mike Reno), followed by AHA and Cyndi Lauper. When I got to art school I was introduced to The Smiths, Jane Siberry, The Cure. More alternative and a lot of music out of Britain. When my husband and I were dating, it was U2, Rolling Stones, I wasn't a fan until we went to Minneapolis to see them live, and Fleetwood Mac. And fast forward to motherhood and Enya & Enigma, Sarah McLachlin and Loreena Mckennit. There are so many more and I am grateful to musicians and to the process of creativity. These days I still listen to these but also to the radio more often, to classical, jazz, world and folk music. But I love switching to 'oldies' channels and I'm enjoying the fact that a number of these old songs are being played once again. My children are always surprised when I know all the words to these 'new' songs. It's interesting how music brings back so many memories of different times and feelings.

AIRDRIE7

I had so much fun at our AIRDRIE7 show yesterday, my house is already back in order - except there are a lot of holes to fill ;) It's nice to spend time with my friends and to open my house to new ones. And it's fabulous to view such lovely art all day. I admire all these women and what they create. Now I'm off to spend a day with my lovely young daughter - she was such a great help and a better hostess than I am.

Christmas Show & Sale...

Please join us on Saturday,

November 7, 2009 10am - 4pm

44 Sprucegrove Crescent SE

Airdrie, AB

And the winner is...

JEB with Junky Trinkets! If you haven't visited his site yet, I highly recommend that you do - great mixed media, paintings, photos and food (yum). Jeb please check my etsy shop and select a piece and email me to let me know your address. I enjoy sharing my work so much that I think I'll do this again at 50 followers and include the first twenty-five again. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Vegreville Centennial Library

My youngest daughter and I spent 7 hours on the road this weekend on a return trip north to Vegreville to hang a dozen large paintings. She's such good company, the weather was fabulous, the roads were clear and we watched a coyote amble alongside the highway, hawks circle over the fields and crows settling into a rather large nest. I began to think about my past life in northern Manitoba, one I miss very much. Remembering the lakes and forests, spending time in canoes in silence and wishing that I could bring my children there...perhaps one day. And then, while I was listening to one of my favorite programs on CBC Radio, Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe, he read a letter written by a gentleman who lived 'North of 56'. The letter came from Lynn Lake, the community next to Leaf Rapids, and my eyes welled up with tears as he described the landscape and the people of the north. A few hours later, on my return home, I listened to an interview with a poet, who happened to be from Thompson, the closest city a couple of hours south of my home. The author, Rosanna Deerchild, wrote a book of poetry titled 'This is a Small Northern Town' about what it means to be from the north. As I heard some of the words of her poetry and also her description of how the north never leaves you regardless of where you live, I wanted to weep again. She captured how I feel.