A life in colour

Amanda Brock interviews Jolomo for Scotland Magazine.

Having featured Jolomo as my number one artist painting the Scottish Landscape in the last edition of Scotland Magazine, I have been lucky enough to spend some time with John, interviewing him to celebrate the 50th edition of Scotland Magazine.

Jolomo is a mix of the first two letters of Morrison's full name, John Lowrie Morrison, which Morrison came across as a child, doodling at Hyndland Secondary School, in Glasgow's West End. We've all done it.

Practised a signature as a child, for use in later life when we are rich and famous. Except in Morrison's case he really has had a use for that well practised signature.

Jolomo is of course one of the most recognisable names in the Scottish art scene today, being the nom-deplume of a sometimes prolific artist. Morrison probably sells more paintings each year than any other artist in Scotland and who has put his money where his mouth is, donating large amounts of his personal wealth to a Foundation which runs the “Jolomo Scottish Landscape Painting Awards”.

Morrison attributes his relatively hightoutput to the discipline of his years in teaching. “I work to a routine and am in the studio painting from I work from 8am till 3am in the Tayvallich Studio 8am till 6pm in the Mull studio daily. Many artists work in a less structured pattern” Having shown talent at School, Morrison studied art at Glasgow School of Art and in the 60s John branched into teaching. He moved his wife, Maureen, his young family and his brother to Arg...

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• By : Amanda Brock
• In : Interview
• Issue : 50
• Page : 48
• Words : 1,542