Boca Raton man turns to art after beating fatal ailment

Published April 4th, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

When Gary Farmer was 45, his doctors told him he had a terminal illness and would live only another two to five years.

That was in 1996 – and Farmer, so far, has beaten those odds.

Along the way, the now 57-year-old resident of Boca Raton discovered artistic talents he never knew existed. 

Today, he creates three-dimensional paintings with tropical themes. “It’s all beach – Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet stuff,” he said. “I never knew I could paint before.” 

Farmer has primary pulmonary hypertension, which affects the pulmonary artery connecting the heart and the lungs, causing the heart to overwork.  There is no cure. 

He was a carpenter until doctors gave him the diagnosis – and told him we would likely never be able to work again.  He was fitted with a pump that administered the drug, Flolan, through a catheter in his chest.  The pump and catheter would remain with him 24 hours a day for 8 years. 

After learning of his medical condition, he left his home in Missouri in 2000 to live with his youngest daughter in western Lake Worth.  Farmer said he started painting in late 2002 because he “was tired of waiting around to die.”  

But in September 2003, he was taken off the pump and switched to an oral drug called Tracleer – which, at the time, was in a trial phase.  

After monitoring him for several months, his doctors removed the catheter on New Year’s Eve 2003.   Farmer said he went “straight to the beach and jumped into the water.  It was the first time I’d been able to do that in eight years.” 

“The new treatment works for me so far,” he said.  “It’s exciting. I still have good days and bad days.  It isn’t over and it never will be.” 

Farmer paints at home, where he can lie down and rest when he gets tired, and he has a little shop in Boca Raton where he cuts out the pieces for his art. 

Creating three-dimensional art involves “a lot of carpentry skills, only in miniature,” he said.

After years of fighting his disease alone, he met, “the sunshine of my life” and became engaged to Emily Kingston of Pompano Beach. Together, they have three daughters and five granddaughters. 

Pondering where he is today, Farmer said, “If it weren’t for my illness, I would never have started my painting. It was a blessing in disguise.  I plan on painting as long as I can.” 

This past weekend, he exhibited his works at the Delray Affair – for the fourth consecutive year.  His work has been featured on HGTV’s Carol Duvall Show and is used on the set of the show as well. His paintings are in homes and businesses in almost every state, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Samples of his work can be viewed on his website, www.floribeanart.com