Tommy Fitchet grew up in Dundee, moved via Glasgow and London to Arran, and recently – at first reluctantly – realised Edinburgh was the place to further his career as an easily accessible and mobile 21st-century artist. In January he settled in Stockbridge.
Despairing of ever finding an affordable dedicated studio in the capital, he astutely secured premises at 5 Rodney Street where he could combine active painting (at the back) with commercially remunerative exhibition space (to the front).
He admits being something of a perfectionist, and renovating the former World beauty salon was taking an age. Fortunately, impatient friends encouraged him to open sooner rather than later (before every last mouse-board was painted and every last Festival-goer had departed) and rewards followed almost instantly. Fitchet's Saorsa gallery opened on 11 August, and within hours he had sold four of his new and experimental paintings.
'I love it here,' says Tommy. 'I love Edinburgh, I love its light, and everyone on Rodney Street has been so friendly. It's been a really great start.'
He is entirely self-taught, but – having tried and rejected numerous other careers – has for the last 12 years flourished as a full-time artist. Exhibited across Scotland (including the Flaubert Gallery in Stockbridge) and beyond, his work is in private collections worldwide.
Tommy paints bold abstracts based on emotional reactions to intense moments in the Scottish countryside or, more recently, Edinburgh. 'Whether it be the urban landscape or the city, or the shorelines and rugged landscape of Scotland, when the sun suddenly comes out and shines brightly upon the sea or the landscape just for that brief moment, and you get that wonderful feeling that stays with you: that is what I am trying to capture in my paintings.'
His current technique involves applying layers of paint to the reverse of glass panes (the opposite way to how most artists work on glass), and results in gorgeous, fluid, richly toned jewels. There is every chance the gallery window at 5 Rodney Street will light up the street in winter and stop traffic, and perhaps further boost the area's recovering fortunes.
During the Festival, Saorsa will remain open all day. Thereafter it will trade 3 days a week, with special viewings by appointment.
To see more of Tommy Fitchet's work visit: www.tommyfitchet.com.
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