Fiona Thomson

Fiona Thomson is a contemporary Scottish painter based in rural Aberdeenshire, whose practice centres on the enduring and complex image of the dog. A graduate of the University of Aberdeen (MA Hons) and Gray’s School of Art (MFA), her postgraduate research - “What is it to paint a dog? Dog Art and the contextual position of the Dog Image” - continues to underpin a body of work that moves beyond straightforward representation into a deeper exploration of perception, presence and meaning.

Thomson’s paintings place the dog within a contemporary art context, examining not only physical likeness but the essence of being - what it is to exist as a dog within modern society. Her work invites reflection and emotional engagement, driven by a commitment to “looking with paint” as a way of opening dialogue between subject and viewer.

Working primarily in oils and watercolour, Thomson employs energetic, expressive brushwork to create paintings that are both impressionistic and immediate. Texture and gesture play a vital role in conveying the vitality and character of her subjects, while her deep, lifelong connection with dogs informs an intuitive understanding of form and presence.

Her work has been exhibited widely across the UK and is held in collections both nationally and internationally. Notable exhibitions include the Royal Scottish Academy, Bonhams Edinburgh and the Battersea Art Fair, London. In 2021, her painting Perch: Alastair and Aria was long-listed for the Scottish Portrait Awards. She is also the recipient of the Robert Fountain Best Original Print Award at the Society of Equestrian Artists.