One time, I was meeting with a friend who was dealing with a series of misfortunes. We talked about her a while and how I could help. Then she asked about me. “I feel bad talking about my silly problems considering what you are going through,” I said. Her answer was one of the most...
Author: Teresa Funke
Are Gatekeepers Still Relevant?
Several times over the past few years, I’ve listened to colleagues tell me that an editor who loved his/her work had called, sometimes in tears, to say they could not make an offer on their book project. Why? Because the marketing and sales departments at the publishing house decided that the book, though good, was...
The Heart of Artists and Entrepreneurs
I know I keep insisting that this blog is for both artists and entrepreneurs, but you may be thinking I seem to slant more toward the artists. There are two reasons for that. One, most artists are entrepreneurs as well. At least they are once they start selling their art. Two, most entrepreneurs are artists...
It’s All About Me
That’s what I tell my husband and my kids when I’m feeling excited about something. Does that sound selfish? Maybe arrogant? Well, it’s true. When it comes to my art, it is all about me, because only I can bring my particular art and vision and message into the world. Only I can choose when...
Daily Deals for Artists – Great Ideas Giveaway
I’ve recently posted a new video in my Great Ideas Giveaway series of business ideas for artists and entrepreneurs. You can view it by clicking on the link below or visiting my YouTube channel, Teresa Funke. This video idea is for a daily deals site that would allow buyers all over the country to purchase...
Are You Ready for a Leap of Faith?
This is a picture of me taken during the two months I bummed around Europe as a college student. I had just completed a studies abroad program in London and had assumed I would be heading home after the program ended. Instead, I got an unexpected invitation to travel around Europe for two months with...
How Doing Something Wrong Can Sometimes Feel So Right
The other day I was invited to a party at one of those places where everyone drinks wine and learns how to paint the same picture. I’ve never been a good artist, and that night my right arm was hurting from typing all day. I didn’t want to irritate it further by holding up a...
Are We Doomed Through Censorship to Repeat Our Mistakes?
Not to wax political, but it’s almost impossible for me not to talk about censorship this week. As many of my author friends are blogging about Banned Books Week, I’ve been taking note of a different type of censorship. Recently, high school students and teachers in several Denver schools walked out to protest a school...
Can You Dislike the Artist and Still Like the Art?
I realize I’m often behind on the news, and this story is a couple of weeks old, but singer CeeLo Green’s offensive comments about rape recently came to my attention. Green’s song “Forget You” (also known by another name) happens to be one of my favorites. It’s a silly, catchy, just-for-fun song, and every time...
The Arts or Football – You Decide
I was reading a newspaper article the other day hyping a slew of new books celebrating or criticizing our nation’s obsession with football. One quote from a former player caught my attention. He stated that football “teaches one thing that kids can’t get anywhere else . . . how to get knocked down and get...