JOHN Lowrie Morrison, more famously known as the artist Jolomo, is supporting the appeal set up to fund the restoration of the Mackintosh building at Glasgow School of Art through sales of a limited-edition calendar featuring his works.
The Argyll-based artist, who is one of the country's best-selling painters, studied at the institution from 1967 until 1972 and said the "Mack", which was badly damaged in a fire in May, remained close to his heart.
He recalled how he worried about the risk of fire in the historic building and that one of his teachers had once told him the Mack was "like a tinderbox".
Some of his most recent works, including a painting of Venice and seascapes and sunsets from Mull, Iona, Islay and Gigha, are included in the 2015 calendar, with royalties going towards the Mackintosh Appeal set up to fund the restoration. Only 2,000 copies have been produced, with each costing £28.99.
"The Mack is very close to my heart," he said. "I studied there for five years. When I was a student there, everybody smoked and I always worried about it. I remember the Head of School at the time, Harry Jefferson Barnes, saying: 'I don't mind where you smoke, but just remember, the Mack is like a tinderbox'.
"I want to give something back. I'm a successful painter in Scotland now because of all I got from the Mack and the people who were there. They have done that for so many artists over the years."
The Mackintosh Appeal is aiming to raise £20 million to help fund the restoration.
The Jolomo calendar can be purchased from www.alba-artshop.co.uk and from other shops and galleries.
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