Sunday, November 8, 2009
AIRDRIE7
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
And the winner is...
Monday, November 2, 2009
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.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Studio Sale
In conjunction with my annual studio sale and to celebrate my favorite time of the year, I have updated my etsy shop to include sale prices. Have a happy and extended autumn. Friday, October 30, 2009
"Be Still"
A Chinook is rolling in and I'm thankful to be looking forward to good weather for our drive to Vegreville tomorrow to hang my show. It will be a long day, 3 hours in each direction, but I'm actually looking forward to it. I've also been thinking about the H1N1 vaccination as I will probably join the masses next week with my family. Not looking forward to the wait but if I bring a book it should be just dandy. Vaccinations have always been a concern for me, as I worry about my children each time. But I know people who have contracted horrible diseases because they didn't have the opportunity to be vaccinated and I've been told that the experience was terrible and very, very sad. One survived polio without damage to his nervous system but he remembers the number of friends and family who died of the disease. Another is an uncle who contracted tuburculosis and died at a young age, too young. So I will continue to have faith that this is the right thing for us.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Alberta Magazine Publishers Association

Monday, October 26, 2009
"A Special Gift"
This piece was a commission from a woman whom I admire greatly. That's the beauty of this art life, the connections I have had the honour of making over the years. And I'm a very happy person today as I've found out that I will be hanging work in the new year at both the Globe Cinema in Calgary and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. I love hanging my work in public spaces - they seem to work well as the work tends to be both large and simple, which are viewed well as a grouping and in larger spaces. I love sharing my work with other people and love hearing how others connect to it.
I'm also happy (though a little sad to be finished - I did try to slow myself down but it was impossible) as I've just finished reading "The Valley" by Gayle Friesen. It's a story that takes place in a Mennonite community (my background) and is really about understanding and forgiveness. My favorite type of story. I really connected with the main character as I've often been told that I think too much though I don't think that's remotely possible ;) It turns out that a hobby of mine is reflection. I never seem to have enough time for it.
So, it is good to have more shows scheduled, on the weekend I will head to Vegreville to hang my work in the Centennial Library, in November a group show in my home and then these other two shows for the new year. It's great for motivation.
Friday, October 23, 2009
"Gladness"

I've painted hundreds of interiors, so there are times that an image escapes me when someone mentions it...but there are other times that I see a word which has become a title of a piece and I instantly know the image, regardless of how many years ago I painted it. This is one of them. Perhaps it is because of the feelings generated by the piece, it's certainly not that I considered it one of my best or anything, but I sometimes wonder if it is because of what was happening in my life at the time. At this point I had a new baby who was happy and content and slept really well (always a bonus). It was autumn, my favorite season, and I felt a sense of peace in this world.
I've also been thinking of my Artist Statement. Every time I read suggestions on how to write them, include influences, process and education, I try to re-write mine. But then I return to my original which I prefer as it discusses my inspiration:
Veronica Funk
simple pleasures
"Hold every moment sacred. Give each clarity and meaning,
My paintings are my attempt to connect to the heart and to the mind.
My goal is to create a sanctuary, a quiet place of contemplation.
The foremost emotion I am attempting to convey is joy:




