Veronica Funk, "Nasty Women," 2018
acrylic on canvas, each 12" x 7" (photo by Katherine Funk)
Artist Veronica Funk likes to paint large series. She had already completed several year-long projects, when, inspired by the challenges now popular on social media, she decided to create 100 paintings in 100 days.
As she was looking for a theme, she listened to a podcast that included Tennessee teenager Nina Donovan, who wrote the poem Nasty Woman, read last year by actress Ashley Judd at the inaugural Women’s March in Washington, D.C.
Although Funk describes herself as gentle and introverted, she found her hackles rising.
“I don’t like to argue with people, although I do,” says Funk, whose show, Nasty Women, opens April 20 at Inglewood Fine Arts in Calgary. “I don’t like to make people feel bad … Especially as an artist, you want everybody to feel they can speak and feel however they need to feel.”
Raised by Mennonite parents who moved to rural Manitoba from Paraguay, Funk’s pacifist roots run deep. But offended by Trump’s misogyny, including the “nasty woman” comment he directed at Hillary Clinton during a 2016 presidential debate, Funk decided to set an example for her two daughters.
Veronica Funk poses with "Nasty Women," 2018
acrylic on canvas, each 12" x 7" (photo by Katherine Funk)
When she posted on social media to find women to paint, she was overwhelmed by the speedy response from her network.
“Some of them are housewives, some of them are students, some of them are CEOs and business leaders,” says Funk, who lives in Airdrie, just north of Calgary. “And everybody has the same opportunity to make a difference in the world in a positive way.”
Funk worked quickly, creating grounds she could then work over with images that she chose from her social media network. She started by painting herself and her daughters, Alexandra, 23, and Katherine, 18.
1 of 3
Veronica Funk, "Nasty Women - Katherine Funk," 2018
acrylic on canvas, 12" x 7" (photo by Katherine Funk)
2 of 3
Veronica Funk, "Nasty Women - Veronica Funk," 2018
acrylic on canvas, 12" x 7" (photo by Katherine Funk)
3 of 3
Veronica Funk, "Nasty Women - Alexandra Funk," 2018
acrylic on canvas, 12" x 7" (photo by Katherine Funk)
She posted each image on her website as she completed it, matching them with empowering quotations from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Rupi Kaur, Mark Nepo or Brené Brown.
Given the demanding timeline, some paintings can be sketchy. But their collective energy is fascinating.
When Funk looks at them, she thinks about kindness.
“It just brings me to tears,” she says. “I’m just overwhelmed by the support that I’ve received, from both women and men. I just feel so grateful for the amazing people I know. I’m very lucky.” ■
Nasty Women is on view at Inglewood Fine Arts in Calgary from April 20 to May 5, 2018.
