About the Artist
Jamie Bruce-Lockhart (1941-2018)
Family photograph
About
Jamie Bruce-Lockhart was a British intelligence officer, artist and author.
The son of diplomat JM Bruce Lockhart and grandson of Scottish rugby international John Bruce Lockhart, he gained a modern languages degree from the University of Cambridge before beginning a career with the Foreign Office. However, this work covered his real work with the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), which he joined in 1973.
Before and during his 20-year career in the MI6, he painted prolifically, always of local scenes in the countries he lived in, which included Fiji, Cyprus, Austria, Germany and Nigeria. He also painted in the UK, one of his favourite places being the Suffolk coastline around Walberswick, Southwold and Aldeburgh.
Personal Life
Before and during his 20-year career in the MI6, he painted prolifically, always of local scenes in the countries he lived in, which included Fiji, Cyprus, Austria, Germany and Nigeria. He also painted in the UK, one of his favourite places being the Suffolk coastline around Walberswick, Southwold and Aldeburgh.
His primary medium was water colour, having been tutored by Rowland Hilder, but he also ventured into oil and pen and ink sketches. Over his career, he held solo exhibitions in most countries he lived in and signed his work J. R. Bruce Lockhart.
Early life
Born in 1941 at Sedbergh, Jamie lived his younger years in Rye. He was educated at the Dragon School, Oxford, Sedbergh School, and St John's College, Cambridge, where he read modern languages. He maintained a flair for languages throughout his life.
Career
After graduating and working in finance in the UK and Fiji, Jamie followed in his family's footsteps to become a diplomat and intelligence officer. His skill in foreign languages served him well throughout his 20+ career, especially his knowledge of Greek in Cyprus and Russian in a posting to Vienna.
Born in 1941 at Sedbergh, Jamie lived his younger years in Rye. He was educated at the Dragon School, Oxford, Sedbergh School, and St John's College, Cambridge, where he read modern languages. He maintained a flair for languages throughout his life.
Career
After graduating and working in finance in the UK and Fiji, Jamie followed in his family's footsteps to become a diplomat and intelligence officer. His skill in foreign languages served him well throughout his 20+ career, especially his knowledge of Greek in Cyprus and Russian in a posting to Vienna.
Personal Life
Jamie met his wife, Flip, at the start of his career in Paris. They married and had two sons. She accompanied in his postings often bird watching while he painted local scenery. In retirement, they settled at Walberswick and then Saxmundham in Suffolk, where Jamie had his own studio and painted to his heart's content, although he rarely chose to show or sell his work.
A copy of his obituary from ©The Times can be found below.
A copy of his obituary from ©The Times can be found below.
