Award-winning western artist Hank Funk of Abbotsford has his own exhibition on display at The Reach. Funk’s work may be familiar to many members of the public as it has been used to promote the Cloverdale Rodeo and several other cowboy-related events.
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ShareWestern artist cowboys up for The Reach
Published: October 04, 2008 12:00 PMFOR HANK FUNK, artistic inspiration and business innovation are two sides of the same coin.
An award-winning western artist and also president of Cap-it truck canopies, Funk recently put both his talents to work for the people of Abbotsford as sponsor of The Reach’s gala opening.
“I’ve always loved Abbotsford,” Funk said. “So when the board approached me about sponsoring the opening, I said ‘I’d love to.’ ”
But when board members came to meet with Funk at his office, they saw his artwork hanging on the walls and suggested he could also exhibit pieces at The Reach’s opening.
One room in the new cultural centre is currently devoted to Funk’s distinctive cowboy paintings.
Funk’s artistic journey began in Abbotsford, growing up next to Grant’s Ranch on Peardonville Road.
“I’ve always worn boots,” said Funk. “I raised horses and broke horses. I’ve been on 100-mile cattle drives. I read Louis L’Amour books. It’s always been a part of my life.”
When not living the life of a Fraser Valley cowboy, Funk was training as a graphic designer at Vancouver Art School. One of his earliest jobs was designing Abbotsford traffic signs.
“From there I went into all kinds of graphics and lettering – buses, airplanes, murals, posters, all sorts of things,” Funk recalled.
As his customer list grew, Funk realized his abilities went beyond graphic design.
“I had a mind for business. I found out I was good at organizing staff.”
In 1977, Funk began manufacturing truck canopies. Fast forward to 2008, and Cap-it boasts 12 stores and the largest wholesale truck accessory distribution business in Western Canada.
“A great company has to have a creative leader,” Funk said. “My canvas is the inside of stores.”
But Funk never abandoned his other medium, and when a neighbour suggested he experiment with oil painting, he found it meshed with his love of western themes.
“I don’t paint anything that doesn’t have a horse or a cowboy hat in it,” Funk laughs. “And I like primary colours that grab your attention. With a store or a painting, if you don’t say ‘Wow!’ when you see it, I’ve missed my mark.”
After producing hundreds of paintings and sculptures, Funk is “very pleased” to see an art gallery in Abbotsford.
“I’m very impressed with The Reach. They’ve done a wonderful job and it’s nice to see how much Abbotsford is dedicating to the arts. You know, the great cities of the world all centre around their arts scene. You need those crazy visionaries.
“You have to dream it first, then you build it.”
