ArtsXchange resident artist, Tripp Farrell's fun, edgy paintings will surely catch your attention as well as make you smile. Tripp has a keen eye for finding inspiration everywhere -- whether it’s in people, reading new literature, identifying fashion trends, traveling abroad, or just listening to new music. Tripp has been exposed to cultures from all over the globe, and his family roots from Australia have helped to give his artwork a unique, eclectic, colorful, and nostalgic feel. He invites you to visit his studio #209 every 2nd Saturday Artwalk or by appointment.   Enjoy an interview with Tripp!

How long have you been an artist?

I began painting in 2008, although I grew up educating myself in all art mediums and briefly dabbled in musicianship.  My art logo/brand is called McNealyART.

What is your medium and how did you arrive at it?

I paint in mixed media.  As I researched other artists, I found that I looked up to mixed media artists and how they mastered their techniques. 

What inspires your art? I seem to have a keen eye for finding inspiration everywhere-whether it’s in people, reading new literature, identifying fashion trends, traveling abroad, or just listening to new music.  Also, I find life experience is a creative catalyst for me and I believe “we should all aim to teach or be taught wisdom by another at any given moment.” Each new encounter has a purpose, each person a piece to the overall puzzle of his exciting life. You can identify that puzzle ideology in my paintings, where I construct figures seemingly from puzzle pieces that comprise the person or object of focus in each work of art.   

Are you a St. Petersburg native?

Yes, my family and I live in the Coffee Pot Bayou area of the Old Northeast.

How supportive do you feel the St. Petersburg community is for the arts and artists?

Very supportive! We're lucky to live in an area where art is encouraged in all mediums.

Why did you join the Warehouse Arts District Association?

I saw being a member as an opportunity for personal and local growth.

What else should we know about you?

I want to be on the front page of opportunity and I want to make our world better for having been here. Please visit my website:  https://trippfarrell.wixsite.com/mcnealy for more art and an overall background into my life. And, since I am not one to rest on my laurels, I have completed my Master's Degree in Global Merchandising from Florida State University and recently welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Whit into the world with my lovely and always supportive wife Jennifer. Last but not least, things show no sign of slowing down for me as there are “a lot of colors, shapes, and tastemaking” that go into manifesting my work—and I just want to grab viewers and continue to engage them.