Lot 220: JIM NICHOLSON Port Ramsay - Isle of Lismore oil on

JIM NICHOLSON Port Ramsay - Isle of Lismore oil on board, signed, dated 1966 42cm x 56cm
Jim Nicholson was born on 21st December, 1924 in Otley, Yorkshire. His father was a banker and he had Scottish descent through his mother who was a Graham. After his education at the Prince William Grammer School in Otley, he was persuaded to go into banking, but hated it and was almost relieved to be called up during the Second World War.He became a pilot officer and, as a radio operator in a Lancaster bomber, flew on the notorious Dresden raid. The carnage of the raid had a profound effect on him.He re-entered the bank after the war ended, but also attended evening classes at Leeds School of Art and then left the bank to join an advertising firm in Leeds. He always regretted not graduating as a full-time student, but he was a gifted artist.He came to Edinburgh and worked for an advertising company for nine years, before joining the National Trust for Scotland in 1964, as its first artist designer. He retired in 1983 with the title of Art Director and had contributed immensely to the Trust's growth and effectiveness.Jim Nicholson was a man of enthusiasms. He visited St Kilda; many of his paintings were of that world-renowned archipelago, and Trust work there always had his special interest. While being a full time artist by then, he was also a keen hill walker which enabled him to gain access to other remote parts of Scotland, particularly the North-West and Hebridean Islands. His watercolours were informed by his knowledge of the terrain and influenced by his deep affection for the great unspoiled and its flora and fauna.Since the 1970's Jim had held over 40 one-man exhibitions throught Scotland and in London, his work being in great demand. Many of his paintings are in public and private collections in America, Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Japan, South Africa and New Zealand, and throughout Britian, including that of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.Jim died in Edinburgh in July 1996 at the age of 71.