When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher gave us an assignment to write a poem. For some reason, that poem really mattered to me. I had to get it right. I stayed up past my bedtime, and my mother ordered me to bed. “Just a little longer, Mom. I have to get this...
Tag: art
Artist, Heal Thyself
Remember that old proverb, Physician, Heal Thyself? I know its literal meaning is to make sure before you try to correct others, you are not guilty of the same faults. But I think most of us interpret it another way . . . we take it to mean that sometimes those of us who should...
When Traveling, What Art Do You Seek Out?
I just returned from a two-week trip to Portugal and Spain. I know, lucky me! One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to appreciate all the history, architecture, art, crafts, culture, and food of a country or region. It’s funny, isn’t it, that when we travel–unless we’re swimming in the ocean or...
Do You Have the Right Mindset to Succeed?
I recently finished reading Mindset: the New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. In it, she describes the differences between the “fixed mindset” and the “growth mindset.” The fixed mindset means that some people believe character, intelligence, creative ability, and talent are all fixed at birth. In the fixed mindset, you must avoid...
How To Banish Envy – Revisited
Once again, I have a video version of one of your favorite blog posts, “How to Banish Envy.” If you’ve ever felt stifled in your own work by your envy of another writer/artist, this one is for you. It’s okay. It happens to everyone. The key is to understand that no one can do the...
Are You Cool Enough to be an Artist/Writer?
Not long ago, my youngest daughter and I were talking about high school popularity. “But Mom, you weren’t cool in high school, right?” “Oh I was extremely cool,” I said. “It’s just that no one knew it.” See, from my point of view, being popular in high school (for most people) meant giving up part...
Greater Must Our Courage Be – Video
Maybe it’s time to revisit the concept of courage and one of my favorite blog posts, which is based on something that actually happened to me, something that changed my life. I’ve recorded that blog post in a short video. It will take you less than 3 minutes to watch it, but I hope it...
All That Matters is You Don’t Give Up
The other evening, my husband and I were strolling around downtown and popped into one of my favorite art galleries. I bought a couple of note cards and a glass nail file, and as we were leaving, I heard someone say, “Are you the author? The book editor?” “I’m Teresa Funke, yes.” “I...
Is Your Art too Trivial to Matter?
Please, don’t let this feeling end. It’s everything I am. Everything I want to be. Anyone recognize those song lyrics? If so, you’re as old as I am. But when your art is flowing and you are in the zone and all is right with the world, this is often how it feels. That’s not to...
Make No Apologies for How You Work
The other day, I was conducting an author visit at a middle school, and a sixth grader said, “I read about an author who gets up at 5:00 every morning to write. Is that what you do?” “Honey,” I said, “I don’t do anything at 5:00 in the morning except sleep!” I then explained to...