From a young child captivated by the patterns and rhythms in nature to an internationally recognized artist, Lee Farley has charted an unusual path in the art world. While many artists build their careers adding paint to canvas, Farley has made his name by taking away—scratching through dark surfaces to reveal intricate, luminous worlds beneath.
“I’ve always been impressed with images, designs, and rhythm, especially in nature,” says Farley, whose earliest artistic memories involve gazing out classroom windows, eagerly anticipating art sessions. His parents recognized this passion early, enrolling him in oil painting classes by fourth grade. By fifth grade, he was already auditing college-level art classes at what is now Averett University.
Though oils were his first medium, Farley’s artistic destiny changed when he was introduced to scratchboard in seventh grade. “It was a very unusual medium working in reverse of conventional pen and ink,” he recalls. “I loved drawing snow scenes because I liked the idea of producing white areas from jet black surfaces.”
For those unfamiliar with the technique, scratchboard is a subtractive medium where artists use sharp tools to scratch away a dark layer, revealing a lighter surface underneath. The process allows for extraordinary detail and precision, perfect for an artist who, like Farley, is drawn to realism.
After setting scratchboard aside for years to work in oils, Farley returned to the medium in 1983 after observing an egg tempera demonstration. His first scratchboard work after this hiatus—an old, restored frontier fort from the 18th century—won an award and intrigued the local art community with its rare medium. That encouragement set him on the path he continues today.
Farley’s creative process begins with selecting scenes that are “aesthetically pleasing, have universal appeal, and good composition.” He typically works from photographs, sometimes combining elements from multiple locations. After sketching the design, he often uses an airbrush to apply color before the painstaking work of scratching begins.
“Airbrushing is a simple solution to cover large expanses with soft graduated tones,” he explains. “Design is scratched out on top of that, producing a contrast of texture which results in detailed high definition.”
This technique has served him well in projects ranging from magazine illustrations to large-scale murals. Currently, he’s completing a 4′ x 6′ mural for Hitachi Energy depicting their transformer manufacturing process—a follow-up to six murals he created for their first building in the 1980s.
Nature features prominently in Farley’s work, reflecting his belief in its restorative power. “Folks are attracted to comfort, tranquility, and nostalgia,” he adds. “Nature scenes can evoke a quiet restful environment, an escape from the industrial/technological rat race of our times.”
His upcoming exhibit at the Lynwood Artists Gallery showcases this philosophy, focusing on “nature’s brilliance on land and water.” Many pieces feature his favorite color, blue, paired with warm oranges, browns, and yellows to create vibrant contrasts.
“I try to show nature at its best,” Farley says. “Many people find God’s creation to be calming and inspiring, and I think we all need that in these busy days.”
One piece in the collection, “Moonlight Serenade,” exemplifies his creative approach. From a daytime photograph, Farley reimagined the scene at night, adding moonlight illuminating clouds and creating reflections in water.
Farley’s work has earned over 100 awards and been featured in prominent publications like American Artist Magazine and Folk Art Treasures Magazine. His piece “Cabin Fever” is now part of the UVA Health Science Center’s permanent collection and appears in the college art textbook Scratchboard for Illustration.
Perhaps his most meaningful achievement, though, is attaining the level of Signature Scratchboard Artist in the International Society of Scratchboard Artists—a distinction shared by only 72 other artists worldwide. He’s currently working toward the next level, Master Scratchboard Artist, a title held by just 24 artists.
For aspiring scratchboard artists, Farley offers encouragement. “Don’t be reluctant to try it. Even though scratching fine lines using razor-sharp tools can look daunting, it is easier than it looks.” He recommends starting with pre-inked boards and practicing with natural subjects like leaves, bark, and animal hair that showcase the medium’s strengths.
As visitors experience his latest collection, Farley hopes they’ll be drawn into the peaceful natural settings he’s created—works that, upon closer examination, reveal themselves to be “not typical photorealism but done in a fashion that is quite uncommon.”
In a world increasingly dominated by digital creation, Farley’s commitment to this intricate, hands-on medium serves as a reminder of art’s ability to transport us—through subtraction rather than addition—to places of tranquility and wonder.
“Peaceful Creation: Nature’s Brilliance on Land and Water” an exhibit of Lee Farley’s work will be on display at the Lynwood Artist Gallery at Piedmont Arts in Martinsville, Virginia – March 29, 2025 – May 10, 2025. For more info visit piedmontarts.org/exhibits.