John Houston OBE RSA RSW RGI SSA

1930

Born Buckhaven, Fife. Painter in oil and watercolour. Educated Buckhaven HS and Edinburgh College of Art 1948-54. Married Elizabeth Blackadder. His early work was much influenced by Munch and also, to a lesser extent, by Morandi and Sironi in Italy when he travelled that country on a travelling scholarship 1953-54. Returning to Edinburgh he joined the staff of Edinburgh College of Art, becoming Deputy Head, School of Drawing and Painting 1982-89. OBE 1990. Travelled widely, in 1957 was instrumental in launching the 57 Gallery, Edinburgh, and held his first one-man show there the following year. Elected ARSA 1964. RSA 1972, he won the Guthrie Award in 1964 and the Cargill Prize at the GI in 1965. In 1969 visited the Museum of Fine Art and the Johnston Foundation, Racine, USA. Powerful colourist, evoking the moods of light and weather over expanses of sky and water. Lives in Edinburgh. Represented in National Galleries of Scotland, among others.