I had always been a photorealistic artist. I would try, but I was never able to paint abstractly. I could appreciate it, but i just couldn’t Grasp it. … Until I was left with no other option. To live a life I loved, I had to make a change.

On January 31, 2021 everything changed. As a result of a fall from a horse, a shattered collarbone led to a stroke. To read my story start HERE.

about the artist

Teresa Farley was born and raised in Neola, Iowa. As a young child she loved to draw and was encouraged by her family. By the age of eight, she was taking drawing classes from local artist, Penny Christiansen. She began oil painting at age 10. Throughout school her paintings were shown frequently. In 1989, her work was selected to hang in the U.S. Capitol Building for the year. After graduating, she continued her education at Iowa State University where she received her BFA degree in Drawing / Painting / Printmaking.

Deciding she wanted to learn more about the business of illustration and missing the school environment, she enrolled at the Savannah College of Art & Design where she received a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in 1998. During this time, Teresa ventured off into the world of computers and graphic design. Today she is still living in Savannah, GA, and is currently self-employed as a freelance graphic designer.

Realizing that art is her passion, she continues to paint, favoring portraits of people and animals. She uses a variety of materials, but works mostly in oils and pastels. Teresa’s portraits show an empathy towards the subject. They are photo-realistically detailed, yet sensitive. She strives to capture the essence of the personalities being represented.

Teresa’s works have been shown at the Photoworks Gallery and the Pinnacle Gallery in Savannah, GA and at Gallery 181, Fisher Theater Gallery and the Unitarian Church Gallery in Ames, IA. Her art has hung in the US Capital building in Washington, DC and in many homes throughout the US.