Meet Stephanie Funk | Dot Artist

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

Hi Stephanie, what’s your definition for success?
Success in my opinion is subjective. My success isn’t defined by how much money I earn selling my art, or by how many followers I have. Yes, those things are nice, but I am successful when I get to make connections with the people who are choosing to purchase my artwork over millions of other talented artists out in the world. Every order I receive in my shop, I do a little happy dance and pinch myself because it blows my mind that I am able to make something that other people value and want to display on in their homes and share with their network of people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Some of the lessons that I have learned venturing down the creative path is that not everyone is going to like what you do or really understand it. They won’t get why you stay up to the wee hours of the night painting, or why you make the designs you do, but it is what makes me happy at the end of the day and something I love to share with everyone around me and I have no plans of stopping.

It took me a long time to realize that I was the one limiting my success because I kept telling myself no one likes that type art style or that I was not a real artist because I never went to art school. I would try and be what other artists were and would beat myself up when of course it didn’t work for me and I failed. It wasn’t until recently that I went through about a year long art block and stopped creating for myself, took a step back by just taking on custom commissions that I realized art was not making me happy anymore. It was time to make some changes. I needed to find that spark again. I started small by coming up with new and unique sticker designs and color palettes for paintings. Then I decided to completely change up my business name and brand. Once I started to make bigger shifts and gain momentum that everything just seemed and fall into place and just start happening. The last 6 months have been extremely rewarding for me as an artist in the sense that I am growing authentically, getting out of my own way and putting myself out there in the local, public eye for the first time. I am not as afraid of the unknown as much anymore and taking the necessary risks it takes to get out there is just something that I have to do in order to grow. It is exhilarating. Doing the things that make me uncomfortable will only help my journey and benefit my growth as a human and artist. I am excited to see where my path of art and creativity will continue to go and see the impact I could possibly have on on others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My type of “best time” is usually vastly different than most. I am always up for adventure, exploring new cities outside of Phoenix and finding things that are off the beaten path. First we would go climbing at Alta Climbing & Alta Boulders. They have an amazing facilities, incredible atmosphere with so much to offer and everyone is always so friendly. After if we were feeling thirsty for a treat, we could stop for boba at Polba Boba. Their menu is always growing and my kids always leave with happy with their favorite drinks.

Continuing on with the active theme, we would head out to Lost Dutchman State Park and take a hike on one of the many picturesque trails. On the way back from there we would stop at Goldfield Ghost Town. It sits at the bottom of the Superstitions and the view is fantastic, with lots of good photo opportunities.

I love a good antique and thrift store, so we would eventually head over to “Call it New, Call it Antique” where would browse the never ending amount of vintage and antique goodness.

Unfortunately I have not lived in Arizona long enough to really explore in my free time, so whenever anyone comes into town to visit, we use that opportunity find new activities to do and places to see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be in the place I am today without the love and support from my husband, family and friends. They are the best encouragers!

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