Category Archives: Art

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A Light at the Tunnel’s End

The historic Donner Pass Train Tunnel Trail in Norden California, September 2020.

In the 90 plus days since my last post, much has happened in our world, and to each other. A seemingly unending global pandemic continues to rage as we mourn the loss of lives, of loves, and belief in the certainty that “everything is going to be alright” because “this too shall pass”. But there really is a light at the end of every dark tunnel and we can step into it if we just keep walking.

An easterly external view of the historic tunnel. Smoke from the numerous wildfires obscures the autumn sky.

We walked four of the nearly six mile hike, stopping frequently to marvel at some of the graffiti and mural work of various artists. I pondered the treacherous labor involved in the making of the tunnels and laying track that many Chinese immigrants endured leading up to its completion in 1867, and wondered what they might think of the artform.

Urban artists tagging a section of Tunnel 6.

We turned back after walking through the most inky darkness I have ever experienced. I was unnerved by the complete absence of light and shuddered in the cold eeriness of the moment. Rather than turn on a headlamp to dispel the fear tingling the hair on the back of my neck, I let myself feel the fear and kept walking forward. Ten steps letter, we spotted the first thin slice of light which then multiplied into twenty, then into the light at the end of the tunnel.

My sculpture “Haphazard” was made from materials found within the tunnels, now hangs on a wall inside Tunnel No. 6.

For more complete information about hiking the Donner Tunnels and other historical places worthwhile of exploring, I highly recommend checking out a few of my favorite resources for other recreational activities in the Lake Tahoe region:

https://www.calexplornia.com/
https://tahoetrailguide.com/hiking-the-historic-donner-pass-train-tunnels-in-truckee-ca/
https://www.parks.ca.gov/

Special thanks and gratitude to those who continue to support the work of artists. It is at times such as these that we are most needed to bring more light into the world.

Be well, stay safe.

~T.

© 2020 Theresa Mae Funk, all rights reserved.

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Flower Portrait No. 31

The brightness of April’s early morning light reflected on the white blooms of the calla demands my attention. Multiple images are captured by my mobile device as a reference for the artwork I imagine and intend to make.
The art will happen when it is ready to become.  

© Theresa Mae Funk.

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Flora for Robert Mapplethorpe

Flower Portrait #1

Britt Salvesen, co-curator of a retrospective that opened recently at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum, noted that Mapplethorpe liked to play with the idea of flower eroticism and its association with lushness and vitality and its association with the transience of life.

I’m not sure that Robert Mapplethorpe gave as much in-depth thought to the images he created as Britt asserts.  By selling the public images of flowers, Robert Mapplethorpe gave people images that they could hang on walls without being, or feeling, uptight.

I take photos of flowers that grow in my yard and garden for the simple pleasure of knowing that in sharing the image, a greater joy will be unleashed in each individual that views it.  And I’d like to think that Robert approves of my mission: I want my art to be a joy that heals.

© 2016 Theresa Mae Funk, all rights reserved.

 

 

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While You Were Away: Passing Shots of Georgia

While you were away, I traveled to Atlanta, Athens, Appling, and then home again by plane.

Athens Garden Mural
I snapped a passing shot of A mural in Athens, Georgia for you, and call it Untitled, painted by an artist un-named. A bride and groom were married later the same day.

Tall pines and the lush greenery of the landscape was my daily meditation on humidity.

I read pages from Basquiat’s Unknown Notebooks at the High Museum of Art in my own Neoexpressionist style, then hatch-marked my heart to Vik Muniz’s sleeve.

Passing Shot Vik Muniz May 11 2016

 

© 2016.  Theresa Mae Funk, all rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

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37 Days Adrift

© 2016, Theresa Mae Funk.

It’s well known that he who returns never left…
(an excerpt from the Pablo Neruda poem Goodbyes)

After 37 days of self-imposed exile, I sit down at my desk in the day’s fading light to write these few lines,
taking pleasure in knowing that my quiet return has not disturbed your slumber.
I’ve been drifting on a river full of memories and dreams while casting off  regrets and wonder,
If my absence went unnoticed, why is it that I care?

© Theresa Mae Funk, 2016. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

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Passing Shots: Folsom Lake

Located about twenty five miles northeast of Sacramento is what remains of Folsom Lake.

Folsom Lake

Walking through the stark landscape of what was once the reservoir’s lake bed saddened me, but also inspired me to spend time this week studying color theory.

What will be the formula that re-creates these shades of blue for my next work on paper?

Folsom Lake 2

Folsom Lake 3

© 2015, Theresa Mae Funk. All rights reserved.

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The True Value of Free Art

One of my four half-sisters recently commented on how much she liked an original piece of work on paper that I had given to one of my mentors as a thank you gift:

“Fleeting Summer” 3×6 inch mixed media on       paper. © 2015, Theresa Mae Funk. All rights       reserved.

In response to her comment, I decided that I would do a customized rendition of the piece on a larger scale and when finished, will ship the framed piece to her for her upcoming birthday.  I started sketching the gift today, and contemplate its true value.

Debs Gift

© 2015, Theresa Mae Funk.  All rights reserved.