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Artist & Sponsor Profiles

These talented local artists are designing and decorating solid wood doors to be displayed outdoors throughout the community and sponsored by local businesses, essentially creating an outdoor museum of local artwork. The DOORS on Tour provides a fun activity for people of all ages while also giving our community a memorable symbol for visitors and residents.

The DOORS are symbolic for our community, the doorway to the Parkland, and for the Farmington Regional Chamber with over 75 years of opening doors for business. The DOORS on Tour will create beautiful photo opportunities for social media posts and is a fun activity that can be accomplished even in times of social distancing.

Brandon Headshot

Brandon Warren

Brandon Warren is a local artist whose distinct, bold, pop-art style has earned the opportunity to showcase his works in very prominent places within our community. In fact, it’s highly likely you’ve already seen Brandon’s work! Brandon’s mural work can be found at Sugarfire Smokehouse in Farmington, Parkland Healthmart, the FCAC gymnasium, Old No. 102 Taphouse, and the "Greetings from Farmington" mural on the side of Krekeler Jewelers.  He also has murals in the downtown area at the Mineral Area Psychiatric Services office was well as a large mural in the Factory at Missouri Shirt Company. He brightened up the hallways of Central Middle School by painting lockers to look like novels and brightly colored murals in the hallways. Brandon works in a variety of mediums from caricature art, mural work, t-shirt designs, canvas paintings and more which has greatly expanded his commercial art opportunities.

Outside of St. Francois County, he has completed menu murals for Sugarfire in O'fallon, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana as well as The Barn B Que restaurant in Lake of the Ozarks. He has also completed custom designs for High Roller Monster Truck, Bigfoot- The Original Monster Truck, 7 sets of Upper Deck/Marvel artist sketch trading cards, custom artwork for Rally Racing teams, custom designs for classic car owners, as well as t-shirt designs for Leaded Goods and A Simply Chic Boutique. He recently worked on a large piece for the American Cancer Society to be on display in the greater St. Louis region. He has also drawn caricatures at "Blues, Brews, and BBQ" 2018, St. Paul Oktoberfest 2018, several years at Project Grad and Prom. He has donated numerous art pieces for the St. Paul Annual auction, and the Friends in Action Clubhouse and drew the illustrations for the "History of Farmington Coloring Book.”

 

Miranda DeOrnellis Headshot

Miranda DeOrnellis

Miranda DeOrnellis specializes in artwork depicting first responders and is a celebrated artist throughout the United States. She has special inspiration for her artistic specialty. Her husband, Travis DeOrnellis, has been in fire service for over 21 years. Miranda said, “Travis is my hero! We’ve been married for 14 years.  He has been a volunteer fire fighter and department chaplain with Wolf Creek Fire Department since 2009.”

Miranda has loved art since childhood and fell in love with painting while studying art at Mineral Area College under the instruction of Jim Wilson. She started painting items for others 20 years ago when she painted her first portrait ornament for a coworker. She began painting more and more for individuals all over the United States. She has sold and shipped items to every state except Hawaii.

 

She started painting fire department themed items about 8 years ago. Miranda said, “The first item I painted was a retired helmet for my husband in honor of his fire service. From there, I painted many different styles of retired fire helmets and axes and sent them across the country to many departments. I also have worked with local and national charities by donating painted items for fundraisers. A few of the most recent ones are the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, Mike Flamion Hot Dogs with Heroes annual fundraiser, Backstoppers, and the Ozark Fire Fighter’s Association.”

The design for the Farmington Fire Department and Police Department door is a combination of the two departments and is sponsored by Bryant Restoration. Both sides will feature the hero aspect of both professions. Miranda added, “There will also be a sentimental aspect for both departments that I can't wait to show when the final product is revealed. It will be honoring a couple of past members of the community who served with the departments. I am honored to be able to give back to my community, and be a part of the Doorway to the Parkland project and paint the door representing some of our local heroes.”

 

Farriers Wife Sign photo

Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson, also known as The Farrier's Wife, became hooked on blacksmithing in February of 2018. Dave Thompson, Lisa's husband, has been a full time certified farrier for 18 years. Lisa describes the day she fell in love with blacksmithing, "I decided I'd try making a hoof pick while he worked. I had no experience with blacksmithing. I had never even considered trying it till that moment. Well I was hooked! By March 2018 I had my own coal forge and 200lb anvil. Dave showed me how to move the metal and taught me the basics of blacksmithing."
She went on to join the Blacksmithing Association of Missouri (BAM) and honed her skills by taking classes with Bob Alexander, a Master Blacksmith. He showed her the finer points of blacksmithing and helped increase her skills and understanding in the art.
In August 2018 she applied for a scholarship through the Missouri Folk Arts Program and was the first woman to apply for and receive a blacksmith scholarship. She began her apprenticeship with Bob in March 2019 and spent 2 days a week hand forging a large sign for her shop. Lisa said, "It took a total of 48.5 hours of hard work to create the sign, and it is a piece she is very proud of. In order to keep furthering my education, and get different perspectives in smithing I have attended a couple of classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Dave and I both swing a hammer every single day. He shoes horses, and I create custom pieces for people all over the country. It has been a whirlwind journey, and I'm so thankful to be making it. You are never too old to learn something new!"
Lisa's design for the DOORS on Tour project is a dogwood tree with hand-hammered dogwood flowers. Dave also created a clever cowboy handle for their door. The DOOR will be installed at Colton's Steakhouse in Farmington in early October.
Living Here

Rosie Chilton

Rosie's DOOR is sponsored by the American Society for Suicide Prevention and the theme is "Hope and Recovery" Stay tuned for more about Rosie and her DOOR!

Still Water

Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson is creating a DOOR with the theme "Caring Neighbors" which is sponsored by Centene Corp. and will be located in Engler Park. Jim is a Missouri native and alumnus of the University of Missouri, Kansas City Art Institute, Yale University, and Boston University. He has spent his life practicing, teaching, and promoting the medium of painting and exhibited in numerous galleries across the United States, and Mexico. He has received accolades from the New York Times, Arts Magazine and other publications. He has been a professor at several institutions including Temple University, Louisiana State University, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Mineral Area College. Returning to Missouri from Mexico gave Jim fresh eyes for the poetry of the landscape and characters from his youth. This led to a sort of ironic regionalism that monumentalizes everyday scenes with tender familiarity.

Sunset

Additional Artists to Come...!

Kimerlee Canter working on the "Doors of Opportunity" for the Farmington Regional Chamber

Derek Gollahar working on "Arts & Education" sponsored by Mineral Area College and Mineral Area Council on the Arts.

Kassie Rairdon working on the "Opening Doors in the Parkland" sponsored by Little Caesar's Pizza

Rebecca Turner working on "Natural Wonders of the Parkland" sponsored by First State Community Bank

And an artist to be announced working on "Retro Memories of the 40's 50's & 60's" sponsored by Cedarhurst Senior Living.