“When I look down a beautiful creek at sunset, and watch the play of light on the ripples, something comes alive in me, something I try to capture for others. That is my joy as an artist.
The ancient Greeks had a trilogy of virtues, three pillars they believed kept a society healthy: Truth, Goodness and Beauty. They believed that even if truth and goodness were to fail, beauty would rise up and guide the society back to solid ground. I believe beauty is powerful, whether in a painting, a Savior, or a well-planned city. Good paintings in a home are far more than pretty décor – they have power to create atmosphere, awaken dreams, change cultures and stir a sleeping heart to life.”
Farley earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Missouri State University in 1985. He started and ran a sign shop and graphic design studio for fifteen years, doing some commissioned paintings and murals. From 1998 to 2017 Farley served on staff as a pastor, still doing art and murals on the side, including some murals for Bass Pro Shops. In early 2017 he began pursuing a career as a fine artist again, going full-time in January of 2019. He has traveled a lot, painting places he has visited all over the globe, and has done murals in South Africa, Israel, Mexico and Canada. As of May 2021 he has competed in thirteen plein air events, winning awards in all of them, including four Best of Shows. Farley lives with his amazing wife Kelly in Springfield, Missouri.
LIST OF AWARDS
2018
Second Place Acrylics, 2018 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, Estate Paint-Out, 2018 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, 2018 Steelville Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention, 2018 Steelville Plein Air Festival
Best of Show, 2018 Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
First Place Garden of the Gods Paint-Out, 2018 Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
2019
First Place Acrylics, 2019 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Honorable Mention Acrylics, 2019 Augusta Plein Air Festival
First Place/Purchase Award, Augusta Shores Paint-Out, 2019 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Second Place, Daily Competition, 2019 Steelville Plein Air Festival
Third Place, 2019 Steelville Plein Air Festival
Best of Show, 2019 Fairfield Plein Air Paint-Out
Best of Show, 2019 Gasconade County Plein Air Festival
First Place, Daily Competition, 2019 Gasconade County Plein Air Festival
2020
First Place, Quick Paint, 2020 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta
Best Architectural Award, 2020 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta
First Place 2020 Steelville Plein Air Festival
First Place Purchase Award, 2020 Gasconade Fall Plein Air
2021
Best of Show, 2021 Summit Art Plein Air Festival
First Place, Rivers & Streams Theme Paint, 2021 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Third Place Acrylics, 2021 Augusta Plein Air Festival
First Place/Purchase Award, Balducci Winery Paint-Out, 2021 Augusta Plein Air Festival
Award of Merit, 2021 Plein Air Southwest