October 29th 2024.
Renowned Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison, also known as Jolomo, has captured the hearts of people all over the world with his vibrant and enchanting paintings of Scotland's landscapes. Now, in an exciting new exhibition in Glasgow, he takes us back to the very place where his love for high-key color first began - a special trip to Switzerland over 50 years ago.
Titled "Jolomo: From Switzerland to the Western Isles," the exhibition can be found at The Glasgow Gallery on Bath Street until November 23. It features not only his earliest works of Swiss landscapes, but also his more recent masterpieces of Scotland. John reminisces about his first trip to the Alps in 1970, when he was a student at the Glasgow School of Art. Accompanied by his future wife Maureen and their friend, architect Ian Maclean, they embarked on a journey that would forever shape John's artistic style.
"We drove all the way from Glasgow in Ian's sleek black and white Triumph Vitesse to visit L'Abri Fellowship, a Christian study center," John recalls. "We were young and broke, so we slept in the car on our way there - an adventure in itself. But what awaited us in Switzerland was truly awe-inspiring."
John and Maureen found themselves on a mountaintop, surrounded by lush green meadows and breathtaking views. It was like a scene straight out of "The Sound of Music." "The colors were absolutely incredible," John says with a smile. "It was then that I made a decision - I wanted to paint in high-key color, just like this."
After graduating, John spent 25 years in art education before finally taking the leap to become a full-time artist in 1997. And with his signature style of expressionist painting in high-key color, he quickly became one of Scotland's most beloved and successful artists. His works have been featured in numerous sell-out exhibitions and have been acquired by art collectors all over the world, including notable figures like HRH The Princess Royal, Sting, Madonna, and Simon Le Bon.
For this latest exhibition at The Glasgow Gallery, John has fulfilled a promise he made to himself over 50 years ago - to paint the very landscapes where he first fell in love with high-key color. "I remember standing on that mountaintop in 1970 and looking down at the valley, which actually led to Italy," John recalls. "I promised Maureen that one day I would take her to Italy - and I did, for our 40th anniversary in 2012. But I also promised myself that I would paint that place - and now, after 50 years, I have finally done it."
The exhibition features well-known Swiss landscapes such as Lake Lucerne and Les Dents du Midi, as well as charming alpine meadows and traditional Swiss buildings. These are displayed alongside John's latest paintings of Scotland, ranging from the iconic Neist Point lighthouse on the Isle of Skye to the dramatic cliffs of the Isle of Lewis, and a breathtaking sunset at Carsaig near John's home in Argyll.
"Sometimes, the most beautiful places are right in our own backyard," John muses. "I have lived in Argyll for 50 years, and I never tire of painting it. The light here is some of the best in the world."
For more news stories and to keep up with John's latest works, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field magazine and read the latest issue. And don't forget to visit The Glasgow Gallery to experience the magic of Jolomo's paintings for yourself.
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