John Houston is recognised as a major figure in Scottish painting of the
last half century. Born in 1930, he studied at Edinburgh College of Art,
where he subsequently taught for many years. Houston remained committed
to his own work throughout his time at Edinburgh and successfully forged
his career as an artist. Houston's art is renowned for its bold,
expressionistic treatment of his preferred subject matter, most often
the Scottish landscape, which he paints with intense feeling. His use of
gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colours enables him to capture the
atmospheric mood of any setting. This book accompanies an exhibition
that marks that artist's seventy-fifth birthday. Philip Long discusses
Houston's career and his approach to his art in an illuminating
interview.