Alicia Farris

1. Artist Statement:

Art provides the opportunity to capture and share the spirit and personality of a subject, whether animate or not. I like to isolate what seems common and recreate it in a different light, all the while creating a source of emotion and cause for reflection for the viewer.

2. Tell us a little bit about your art and your process.

In my work, I like to convey more of a personality and mood than an exact image. My subject mattter ranges from people to landscapes to houses to city scenes to still life. I love to let color and mood direct the painting, rather than strictly form.

3. How long have you been creating your art and how has it evolved over time?

I have loved art all of my life. As long as I can remember, my favorite past time has been drawing, sketching, and dreaming up art projects. My minor in college was fine art with an emphasis on ceramics. Only later when my kids were little, did I started taking a few watercolor lessons and really loved it.  Since then, I have immersed myself so much into watercolor, acrylic and oil and I love to switch back and forth from medium to medium, depending on my mood. Sometimes my students will ask me which is my “favorite.” I have learned that the best answer to that question is, “My favorite medium is the one in which I am working at that particular moment!”

4. Can you point to any particular events or people who inspired you to pursue your art?

My biggest inspirations for my love of art are my great grandmother from my father’s side of the family and my maternal grandmother and mom, who were/are artists as well. The person who inspired me to pursue my art was my high school art teacher and good friend, Marilynne Bradley. I remember being surprised that she thought that I could be good enough to pursue art in any way!

4. As an artist, What are your goals and what challenges do you face?

I was recently given the great compliment that my art had “grown tremendously” in recent years.  I guess a goal of mine is that my art continues to “grow” and to develop to mirror the passion in my heart.  I don’t think that we can direct our art, it has to direct us.  Artists, I believe, are always learning new things and techniques.  Never will you see an artist retire, saying that he or she has learned all there is to learn and there is no more!

5. Personal info, family, hobbies, if you have another profession:

My husband and I have two children and have lived in Springfield for almost 20 years. I enjoy hiking and doing anything outdoors. In addition to BOMH, I am actively involved in the Springfield Regional Arts Council, Visual Artists Alliance of Springfield,I’m a Board member of Fresh Gallery, a Signature member of St. Louis Watercolor Society, a Missouri Watercolor Society Member and Friend of the Springfield Art Museum. I love teaching and teach regular adult workshops and classes at the Creamery Arts Center for the Springfield Regional Arts Council, as well as workshops at other locations by request.

6. What have you found valuable about belonging to BOMH?

Being a juried BOMH member has provided opportunities for commission work, as well as opportunities to show with an exclusive, high caliber group of artists. Presently, my work is part of the permanent collection at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri and was chosen one of eight artists to be shown at the Governor’s Mansion as a result of my affiliation with BOMH.

7. Where can we see your work?

I have a one-artist show at Nearly Famous Deli in Springfield, MO until February 9, 2013. My work is also represented by Fresh Gallery in Springfield and Art Impressions Gallery in Sedalia, MO. I recently had a one page feature in the Springfield Lifestyle Magazine, Dec. 2012 issue.

See her work on the Best of Missouri Hands website: http://www.bestofmissourihands.org/artisans/painting-drawing/aliciafarris/