As part of Winter Festival, Blue Ridge PBS will premier their latest documentary, Eric Fitzpatrick: I’m Painting my Life, featuring local artist, Eric Fitzpatrick. The documentary airs this Thursday, December 4th at 7 PM, and Fitzpatrick will join the program live in the studio.
Fitzpatrick has been painting local landmarks in Southwest Virginia for over 30 years and his work is a part of the corporate collections of Nippon Steel, Hitachi, IBM and McDonald’s. Currently, his paintings hang in 17 countries around the world.He is considered one of the Roanoke area’s most popular artists – voted “Best Artist” 25 years in a row by readers of The Roanoker Magazine.
Fitzpatrick creates his art in a variety of media and his work encompasses a wide array of subject matter and style. In addition, he has the unusual ability to paint with either his left or his right hand. The new documentary includes highlights from Fitzpatrick’s life as well as interviews with family, friends and others who have had influence on his career. We also get a look at the process behind what it takes to create his art.
The artist will also unveil his recently completed original piece, which was created on location in the Roanoke City Market. The new print, titled Market Memories, will be signed by the artist and is made available, exclusively, during Winter Festival for supporters of Blue Ridge PBS.
As an added bonus, Fitzpatrick has also made available to members who pledge their support to Blue Ridge PBS his latest print, Open All Night, featuring well known Roanoke landmark and eatery, Texas Tavern.
“We’re very excited about the new documentary on Erik,.” said Carol Jennings, Production Manager for Blue Ridge PBS, “Profiling the best that southwest Virginia has to offer is what Blue Ridge PBS does best, and bringing viewers this documentary, along with Mr. Fitzpatrick’s artwork gives us an opportunity to say thank-you to the wonderful supporters of the station.”
