On a bright June morning, Stoke Road in Gosport welcomed a new splash of colour. Tucked among the independent shops, a new art store – ThirteenEight – opened its doors for the first time. Just three months later, I sit down with its owner, Tom, to talk about the whirlwind journey that has taken him from a civil service desk job to running his own art space.
A local with big ideas
Tom grew up in Gosport and studied film and photography at both Portsmouth and Plymouth University, graduating over a decade ago. A keen photographer, he gradually shifted into physical art about five years ago, drawn to the energy of acrylics and spray paint.
“I love the freedom of abstract art,” he tells me. “There’s no right or wrong. Sometimes I’ll have a rough idea, but most of the time I experiment and enjoy the process.”
His influences stretch from pop art legend Andy Warhol to TV painter Bob Ross, whose cheerful talk of “happy accidents” left a lasting mark. “I’m an imperfection artist,” Tom laughs. “If I make a mistake, it just becomes part of the work.”
From shed to studio
Before opening his shop, Tom created art wherever he could – on the kitchen counter, in his shed, even on the driveway. “Having a dedicated space makes such a difference,” he says, glancing around the shop that doubles as his studio.
The journey to getting here wasn’t straightforward. Tom had been working full-time in the Civil Service but knew something was missing. When he spotted the empty unit on Stoke Road, he was determined to make it his. “I couldn’t track down the landlord for ages,” he explains. “But through a friend of a friend, I finally did. Within two weeks, I’d taken over the shop, handed in my notice, and I haven’t looked back since.”
A shop that’s more than a shop
The Studio at ThirteenEight isn’t just about selling art, it’s about fostering creativity. As well as stocking hard-to-find supplies like spray paints, stencils, and lino printing equipment, Tom runs regular workshops.
“I love teaching,” he says. “There’s so much joy in seeing someone pick up a spray can or paintbrush and just let go.” His wife Ellen, who works in childcare, helps run the back end of the business, handling invoicing, supplies, and logistics. “She’s the driving force behind the shop,” Tom says with pride. “We’re a great team.”
The shop’s and artist’s name of ThirteenEight carries a personal touch. Thirteen was Tom’s grandfather’s lucky number, and eight is Tom’s.
Community first
Tom has big ambitions for ThirteenEight, but at its heart is accessibility. “I want art to be available to everyone,” he says. He’s already worked with local charities like Motiv8, running workshops for young people. He’s also launched “Mancave Mornings,” where men can come together over coffee, make art, and chat if they want to.
“I’m not trying to replace mental health charities,” he explains. “But I have the space, the skills, and a good ear. It’s just about creating a safe, relaxed environment.”
Word is spreading slowly, but Tom isn’t worried. “There’s no pressure. I just want to help where I can.”
Playful pop culture
Tom’s own work ranges from affordable, smaller pieces to larger, high-end paintings. Pop culture is a recurring theme. He’s created Star Wars-inspired work and even spray-painted Pokémon canvases, hiding them around town for local kids to find.
This October, he’ll be hosting his first major exhibition, ‘Anything but a Canvas’, which will showcase upcycled objects transformed into art. “We’re talking guitars, helmets, old telephones,” he says, grinning. “Art can live anywhere.”
Building Gosport’s creative scene
Does Gosport have a strong creative community? Tom thinks so but says much of it exists in silos. “There’s so much talent here that isn’t being showcased. But Stoke Road is changing. We’ve now got a retro trainer store, a comic shop, and handmade jewellers. It’s exciting to see.”
And he’d love to see more colour. “Street art, murals, ways of bringing creativity into everyday life. Gosport has the talent; we just need to show it off.”
The dream and the reality
Running the shop hasn’t been without challenges, but Tom says the rewards are worth it. “There’s never a perfect time to take the leap,” he reflects. “I wasn’t in the financial position to quit my job, but I made it work. It’s hard graft, but so worth it.”
Looking ahead, Tom dreams of expanding ThirteenEight into a wider creative hub, with a coffee shop, open mic nights, and poetry events. But for now, he’s content. “Right now, I’m just happy where I am,” he says with a smile.
And happiness, it seems, is radiating from him. “My friends and family keep telling me I’ve never looked so happy. I feel like I’m finally moving in the right direction. I’m so lucky to have their support – it’s made all the difference.”
Lino printing workshops are taking place over October. To view dates please click here
To follow ThirteenEight please click here