GALE T. FITCH
Gale T. Fitch was born and raised in Ramsey, NJ. Gale began her journey with oil paints at the age of six when her older sister gave her a small canvas and her own set of oil paints. She quickly realized her love and aptitude for the arts. As the granddaughter of Joseph Novak, who was the Chief Scenic Artist of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, it came as no surprise to her family that she had inherited the family gift. As a child, she studied at the Ridgewood School of Art under Ethel Quardt. At the age of thirteen, she won the President’s Award and given a scholarship to study portrait art in Arthur Maynard’s evening adult classes. Maynard was a student of Frank DuMond, who also taught Georgia O’Keefe and Norman Rockwell.
After graduating high school she continued her formal training at the Philadelphia College of Art. Since spending the majority of her life in oil painting, she decided to major in Crafts and Fine Arts. This gave her experience in blacksmith, glass blowing, mold making, and pottery.
She moved to the Sarasota area, married, and had two children. Always interested in new modes of art and design, Gale completed classes in desktop publishing and commercial art. While raising her children she produced various publications and newsletters for the New Gate Montessori School, Lakeview School, Pine View School, the YMCA Sharks Swim Team, and Sarasota Crew.
Artist: Gale T. Fitch
Title: Keith Farmhouse
Oil, original 12 x 24in
Limited Edition Giclée available, price upon request
Artist: Gale T. Fitch
Title: Butterfly Orchids
Selby Botanical Gardens
Original 26 x 38in donated to LECOM Senior Living, Erie, PA
Limited Edition Giclee available, price upon request
She began teaching adult enrichment classes in drawing and oil painting still life at Sarasota County Technical Institute. It was here when she realized her love for teaching and her desire to pass on her artistic knowledge on to her students. Gale developed art classes and curriculum for children at Michael’s craft store. She started teaching oil painting classes for children at Art and Frame Store of Sarasota. She has taught private and group oil painting classes in her own studio in Nokomis.
Gale has worked as an interior design consultant for furniture stores in Sarasota and Venice. Over the past several years, Gale’s paintings have been featured throughout the Sarasota community and beyond. Her paintings have been published in the Romantic Homes Magazine and exhibited in the ASID Design Showcase at Selby Gardens. One of her oil paintings was purchased by Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be featured in their newly built orthopedic floor. She donated work to the LECOM medical school in Bradenton, FL and to the LECOM Senior Living center in Erie, PA.
As a fine artist, she has observed the natural beauty in her local environment and continues to capture its ever-changing vistas.
Artist: Gale T. Fitch
Title: Reflections on Oak Street
Oil, original 12 x 16in
Limited Edition Giclée available, price upon request
