Laois artist Tommy's work shows a vibrant spectrum of colours

A SUPER art exhibition by super-talented artist Tommy Gorman from Rosenallis was launched in the Hare’s Corner in Mountmellick recently as part of the Lovely Laois Homecoming festival, which was created by Irish country music queen, Trudi Lalor from Mountrath.

Words to describe Tommy’s works would include colour, detail, creativity, dedication, patience, skill and time and his love for his art clearly shines through with every brushstroke on his works.

The collection included a dozen fantastically detailed paintings which jumped from the walls in the packed function room through their vibrant spectrum of colours. Mounted prints of the wonderful pieces flew out the door at the launch as people snapped them up.

There was another painting that was not on display at the launch, and this one was top-secret. Tommy had heard that Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick from Ballyfin was to be honoured at a Gala Dinner event in the Midlands Park Hotel as part of the Lovely Laois Homecoming festival and he also learned that Noel’s beloved Border Terrier Keira had passed away.

The super artist surprised the Supervet with a wonderful painting of Noel holding Keira at the Gala Dinner so that he could always remember his four-legged companion.

Tommy, who works in Dunnes Stores on the Mountmellick Road in Portlaoise, is well-known and loved by locals in both towns. Tommy attends the Muiriosa Acorn Outreach in Mountmellick where he has been under the wing of senior facilitator instructor, Catherine Williams for 25 years.

Commenting on Tommy’s exhibition for the Laois Nationalist, Catherine who is also a member of Portlaoise Action to Homelessness (PATH) said: “When the lockdowns began the day centres were closed and people had to stay at home. That’s when Tommy started painting. He has spent a number of years getting ready for this exhibition today because his paintings are so intense and he is so particular. Tommy attends our Acorn Outreach from Monday to Friday, and he has autism, and he is living his best life, he lives independently in Mountmellick, and he works in Dunnes Stores, so he has a great support system of good people all around him. We are very proud of Tommy and of what he has achieved, and his family, friends and co-workers are all very proud of him too.

“Tommy’s work is fantastic and his attention to detail is brilliant. When I first met Trudi Lalor and we were talking about the Lovely Laois Homecoming festival almost a year ago I told her about Tommy and showed her some of his paintings and she was amazed - she loved them! That’s how the exhibition came to be. Sometimes people think of people with disabilities as not having an ability but when I see a person with disabilities, I find their ability, and I focus on that.

“On behalf of Tommy I would like to thank the team at Acorn, the inmates at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise who supported Tommy and did all of the framing for him, Martina Daly for doing the gold plaque print with his name on them for his paintings, the Hare’s Corner for holding the exhibition launch, the Midlands Park Hotel who displayed Tommy’s works for the rest of the festival weekend, and everyone who has supported us in getting Tommy to where he is today.” Trudi Lalor also attended Tommy’s exhibition launch. She said: “Its very emotional being here at Tommy Gorman’s exhibition because I know how much painting has helped his life. The inspiration that he has given to so many people is a testament to his connection with people. The support that he is getting is great.

“I’m feeling very emotional today and this is one of the highlights of the homecoming weekend festival for me. Catherine showed me some of Tommy’s paintings about a year ago in her car and now seeing them framed and on display is very moving.”