Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom McFarland.
Hi Tom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Family had a big part in my journey as an artist. My biological grandfather, a blacksmith in San Antonio, Texas, and my adopted family — a long line of oil rig workers and welders have both influenced and inspired my passion for the use of hand tools in my work, my adopted father, a painter would often paint around our home as well as work building projects; his tools and equipment were fixtures in my childhood.
Went to a charter art school in Las Cruces NM, then I went on to study in Providence Rhode Island at RISD where I graduated in 2014 with a BA in Fine Arts. Moved to NYC in 2015 where my work slowly picked up from there. I am currently Brooklyn based, but every winter I work from my studio in Cedar City, Ut. 2-3 months out of the year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think there is always a struggle in my making. Never quite being satisfied and having to make another. A type of insanity then eventually grows.
There has definitely been a few speed bumps along the way, some larger than others. Because my work revolves around stories, places, and time, many of the titles behind my paintings are the addresses of those personal ups and downs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So my work exists mostly of wood stretcher hardware, woven string, paint, joint compound, wood glue, spray paint, or car paint, and for the finishing layer I use resin, car clear coat, and or flocking.
I keep a photo sketchbook for my color palette/inspiration. I turn the sketchbook into a printed copy that I give out at openings dope people can see deeper into my concepts. My specialties include woodworking, metalworking, material research, and traditional painting.
Not really sure what sets my work apart from others. Guess that’s up to the viewer to decide.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Hoping the future will hold to grow my practice and continue to make things that push and pull my ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: Tom-McFarland.com
- Instagram: @Tom__mcfarland
Image Credits
Marie Moller
