Artist shows strength during tough times

If anything could sap the life out of a person, it would be losing his life's work -- the thing he poured his heart and soul into. And if anything could inspire him to get back to it again, it would be that same life's work. Just ask local artist Mark Farmer.

Farmer's home fell prey to arson in 2014. Losing his home was tragic enough, but losing his artwork was devastating. Gone were decades of creations -- all in one night. "To lose your life's work in one night," he told the Southeast Missourian's Tyler Graef. "You know, to something that was deliberate, too …" he added, his voice trailing off.

Sure, he can replace a house. He can replace bicycles. But original artwork -- the time invested, the stroke of pen and ink that sets one piece apart from another -- how does he replace that? He doesn't. All he can do is find the strength to start over.

Farmer has found that strength. According to Graef, Farmer still feels a sense of loss, but the artist has found his groove again. He's drawing almost daily now, making art of old buildings and houses, "his current project … a down-to-the-brick accurate drawing of the Port Cape building from the perspective of the river wall in downtown Cape Girardeau."

There's that old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Farmer's persistence gives credence to that cliche. Instead of remaining sour over the injustice he suffered, he has picked himself up and started anew.

His new start teaches us something valuable. Understandably, it has taken time, but he's back -- not allowing the tragedy to rob him of what he loves. "If I thought it was tedious and I hated it, I wouldn't do it, but I really enjoy doing it, and I'm reasonably good at it, since I've worked hard at it for so long," he said.