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North-east gallery reopens with show by top Scottish artist


By David Porter

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A NORTH-east art gallery has reopened with a veritable storm of colour in its opening exhibition.

The Tolquhon Gallery near Tarves opened its doors to visitors with From Kintyre to the Isles, a show of 45 new paintings by John Lowrie Morrison OBE aka Jolomo.

Jolomo’s best-selling Scottish landscapes in high-key colour made for a high-profile re-opening for the popular gallery, and opening day was so busy visitors were advised to book a slot in advance.

Joan Ross, owner of the Tolquhon Gallery, said: “We could not think of a better show with which to re-open.

"Digital images are no substitute for seeing paintings in reality, especially with such an artist like John, who revels in colour and thickly applied oils.

“We’re delighted to be open again and we have a lot of interest so far.

"Many people have commented on how much better it is to see the paintings in the flesh.

"It is wonderful to be able to witness the joy his paintings bring.”

John has been painting throughout lockdown in his Argyll studio and says that being relatively free of distractions has given him space to explore new directions in his work, including his love of stormy weather.

John himself said: “Painting the light is really important to me, but recently I’ve started painting what the weather does to the light.

"On a stormy day, you can see the weather moving across the sky and the colours can be incredible.

“A stormy day is always more interesting to paint than a sunny day.

"People say to me, ‘It’s a lovely day today, you’ll be wanting to get outside with your easel.’

"But, actually, I prefer stormy weather.

“The weather changes the colour and the light giving you colours like green, pink and magenta in the sky.

"A lot of the paintings in this new exhibition are stormy ones.”

Big Storm by Jolomo
Big Storm by Jolomo

John admits he has been rained on more than a few times while sketching and painting. “I’ve been caught in a few storms, and I love it. Being out in the weather makes you feel more alive.”

The show includes a painting of the Todhead Lighthouse south of Stonehaven which recalls a storm he witnessed when he took a boat trip to see the lighthouse many years ago.

He said: “It was during the winter and the sky suddenly blackened with a massive storm, although the sun was still there in the middle of it.

"The colours were great - the green and pink in the sky. I have a photographic memory and remember it exactly.

"Thinking back on it, I really wanted to get these colours down.”

The gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 11am-5pm and for information visit www.tolquhon-gallery.co.uk


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