Farley’s work reflects the passion of one who maintains his childlike wonder at this great big, beautiful world. His determination to continually improve and his faith that the Ultimate Artist loves to partner with him at his craft – these have helped him grow from obscurity to national recognition in a few short years.
Farley spent a long time running a signs and graphic design business, and a long time as a pastor – he’s older than he looks. In January 2018, he recklessly quit his day job to paint fulltime. But he’s really glad he did – and by his growing popularity as a contemporary landscape painter, a lot of other people are too.
Since his plunge into the art world he has won a lot of ribbons, which he appreciates, then carefully files in the trash so that he can get back to doing what he loves, capturing those moments of light and splendor he sees while trying to live an authentic life and love people better.
Artist Statement
“When I look down a creek at sunrise, and watch the play of light on the ripples, something stirs in me, not like a stomach ache but more like an epiphany. I believe beauty is a gateway to the divine. When I capture in paint that glimpse of glory I see in nature, I’m able to invite others into the experience. I love that! I believe those experiences with beauty change us. And this inspires me in my continual pursuit of excellence as an artist.”
LIST OF AWARDS
2018
Second Place Acrylics, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, Estate Paint-Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Best of Show, Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
First Place Garden of the Gods Paint-Out, Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
2019
First Place Acrylics, 2019 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention Acrylics, Augusta Plein Air Festival
First Place/Purchase Award, Augusta Shores Paint-Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Top Sales Award, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Second Place, Daily Competition, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Third Place, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Best of Show, Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
Best of Show, Gasconade County Plein Air Festival
First Place, Daily Competition, Gasconade County Plein Air Festival
2020
First Place, Quick Paint, Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta
Best Architectural Award, Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta
First Place Steelville Plein Air Festival
First Place Purchase Award, Gasconade Fall Plein Air
2021
Best of Show, Summit Art Plein Air Festival
First Place, Rivers & Streams Theme Paint, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Third Place Acrylics, Augusta Plein Air Festival
First Place/Purchase Award, Balducci Winery Paint-Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Award of Merit, Plein Air Southwest
Second Place Daily Competition, Steelville Plein Air Festival
First Place Daily Competition, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Artists Choice Award, Steelville Plein Air Festival
First Place, Brush Creek Art Walk Plein Air Event
Artists Choice Award, Lake Ozark Plein Air Festival
Bagnell Dam Theme Award, Lake Ozark Plein Air Festival
Best of 2D, Art in the Park, Springfield, MO
Award of Merit, Bath County Plein Air Festival
Second Place Daily Competition, Gasconade Fall Plein Air
First Place Overall, Gasconade Fall Plein Air
2022
Best Water, January Plein Air Salon, Plein Air Magazine
Best Use of Water, Shadows on the Teche Plein Air Festival
First Place Downtown Paint-Out, Shadows on the Teche Plein Air Festival
Third Place, Summit Art Plein Air Festival
First Place, Missouri Valley Impressionist Society Online Membership Show
Best of Show, Augusta Plein Air Festival
First Place Acrylics, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Artists Choice, Augusta Plein Air Festival
People’s Choice, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Best of Show, Eureka Springs Plein Air Festival
Artists Choice, Eureka Springs Plein Air Festival
Third Place, Steelville Plein Air Festival
Signature Member, Heartland Art Club
Best of Show, Marceline Plein Air PaintOut
Best of Show, Joplin Plein Air PaintOut
Artists Choice, Bluff Strokes Plein Air Event
Award of Excellence, Fairfield Paint-Out
Artists Choice, Best Body of Work, En Plein Air Texas
Field Ranch Favorite Peoples Choice, En Plein Air Texas
Mini-Pearl of the Conchos Award, En Plein Air Texas
2023
Best of Show, Curacao International Plein Air Festival
Judge’s Choice, Nobeleis Winery Paint Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Judge’s Choice, Augusta Shores Paint Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Purchase Award, Premiere Artists Paint Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Purchase Award, Honeybee Vineyards Paint Out, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Third Place Acrylics, Augusta Plein Air Festival
Artists Choice for Best Body of Work, Plein Air Southwest
Second Place Award of Excellence, Plein Air Southwest
Artists Choice, Estes Valley Plein Air
Third Place, Quick Paint, Estes Valley Plein Air
Third Place Overall, Estes Valley Plein Air
Third Place Quick Paint, Bluff Strokes Plein Air
Best Architectural, En Plein Air Texas