Meet Veronica Burke | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Burke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Well, this is a great question! My balance has definitely changed over time. I started teaching myself how to paint when my kids were 3 and 1. After they went to bed, I would devote a couple hours to learning as often as I could. I think most people struggle with “I will start when…” or “when my kids are…then I will…”. I just got sick of waiting. Your identity changes in and throughout motherhood. I wanted something that was truly me. My family comes first so I paint and run my business in the margins. As they grow and change my work life balance changes. I adjust and have to be intentional about my time. They are only young once and I don’t want to miss it, but I also want to pursue my dreams. I think you can have both!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Create anyway. If I had a mantra that would be it. My grandmother was an amazing artist. She was paralyzed from the chest down with minimal use of her hands. She would paint the most amazing landscapes inside sea shells. When she passed she gifted me some of her brushes. I always wanted to take art classes but somehow never did. It was a dream of mine. I decided if she could do that than I can certainly learn to paint with my fully functional hand. So I did!

I want my kids to see me doing hard things so that they know they can too. My art studio is in the basement and my kids have theirs next to mine. They have access to all of the art supplies anytime. I love that they have developed a love for art.

As with most people during COVID we had a lot of free time on our hands. I am a hairstylist and all of a sudden like many couldn’t work anymore. My husband made me a website and created a name for my new born art business. The painted posey. My family nickname embarrassingly is Posey.

I started with watercolor, acrylic and ink. I have grown into oils. Now I primarily paint contemporary American tonal landscapes in oils. What is a tonal landscape you ask? It’s usually a minimal color palette based on a feeling and my interpretation of nature. Painted from memory and have soft lighting effects.

I want the viewer to feel something when they see my art. There is a lot of love and precious time that goes into each painting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ha ha ok, my season of life mostly includes kids activities so most places have to be family friendly. If it’s winter, than skiing in Steamboat and pizza at Beajoe’s on the way back into town. Summer, than for sure play pickleball at a park, followed up by a brewery where we could bring the kids and dogs. My favorite is the Colorado tap house or wonderland. Hike at Lair of the bear, bike rides to get ice cream at sweet cow, paddle board at Standley lake. Camp in Rocky Mountain National park. Gosh, Colorado is so great! So many fun things to do. We usually do something active followed by a brewery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I couldn’t do this without my husband and my kids. They are my biggest advocates and cheerleaders.

Website: Www.thepaintedposey.com

Instagram: @thepaintedposey

Image Credits
Jaime Beth photography