Meet Chiquita Farley | Studio Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chiquita Farley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chiquita, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was based off of what my 12th grade literature teacher told me, she said “If you find something you love to do you’ll never work another day in your life”. From then on I knew starting my own business would be fun in a sense as well as hard work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started young with drawing. I learned from my dad whose more of an abstract artist. I would find a cartoon character(s) and literally sit and draw them from a coloring book, from then on I knew I wanted to be an artist. As I got older I started moving towards graphics and wanted to do logos and websites. I attended Bauder college where I received my Associates of Art degree. As time progressed I felt like I needed to do more so I began doing paint parties, it started off rocky but once I got the hang of sketching the canvas, the time it would take for a group to finish, and just helping people enjoy what I find peace and solitude in became a piece of cake. The paint parties began to pick up and I wanted to find more creative ventures to express myself so I enrolled back into school to pursue my degree in Graphic Design. That was a total flop I felt like being graded for art is impossible because what I see may not be what others see. I took a break and continued my paint parties as well as working a full-time job. A few years after I was introduced to cardboard by my dad who carved out this picture of Jimi Hendrix with a box cutter and I was amazed. He taught me the ins and outs and how much time and patience I had to have to do it. Now I have taken over his gift and I enjoy it a lot. I’ve learned that no matter who supports you or not that you’re not doing it for them but you’re doing it for yourself. Promote yourself heavy and just enjoy every moment of creating. With cardboard art I still get to draw and its like a different type of feeling to see or create a picture of someone for someone. The responses I’ve gotten from my work gives me reason to keep on pushing because it definitely takes time and patience for this type of work. I’m now enrolled back at Georgia State University where I’m pursuing my Bachelors of Art degree this gives me more freedom to try different types of mediums that I think I’ll enjoy. It’s very challenging trying to balance work, school, art life, and a social life but when you’re destined for greatness there’s no stopping.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Listen my friends already know I’m the go to person when it comes to having a good time!!! So starting off the week we would do brunch at Another Broken Egg the mimosas are definitely a hit. Later that evening we would do a hookah lounge The Lion its a really chill cute atmosphere with great food, drinks and hookah or Fins and feathers where they have a live DJ after 8pm good food, drinks, and hookah. Tuesday we’d definitely get out for lunch to recuperate from the night before, it’s taco Tuesday so we’d definitely go to a Mexican restaurant that I know the margaritas and food never disappoints La Parrilla. Wednesday we would go make candles at Bear and honey which we can bring our own wine and snacks while making our own candles. We could walk around Lil 5 points to do a little shopping and I’d take her to my favorite crystal store called crystal blue to get sage and crystals. For dinner I’d take her to Poor Calvin’s they have the best food!!! and a very nice ambience. Thursday we’d go bowling at Painted Pins, very chill laid back scene and the restrooms are like one of the best features. Friday we’d do Ponce City Market. Saturday, we’d do brunch at Roc South then later that night we’d go to Clairmont Lounge for a few laughs and drinks. Sunday, we’d do brunch at The Original Pancake and afterwards go to the High Museum of Art

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Everyone to be honest. Word of mouth from those I associate with or people they associate with. Social media plays a big part in my recognition as well.

Instagram: Cf_artistry

Other: Email: Chiquita.farley2@gmail.com Personal Instagram: snoopy_1024

Image Credits
Monique Arnold