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I happened to turn over to BBC One tonight and caught a part of the show where an artist Jack Vettriano was painting Billy Connelly.

 

So I Googled him.

 

"Jack Vettriano grew up in the industrial seaside town of Methil, Fife. He was raised in poverty; he lived with his mother, father and older brother in a spartan miner’s cottage, sharing a bed with his brother and wearing hand-me-down clothes. From the age of 10, his father sent him out delivering papers and milk, cleaning windows and picking potatoes β€” any job that would earn money. His father took half his earnings.

 

Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Vettriano

Born: Jack Hoggan |17 November 1951 (age 65) | Methil, Fife, Scotland

 

Just so happens he was born on the same day as me. 

 

Here is some of his work - I really like his style 

 

 


Replies sorted oldest to newest

EC: the picture you've posted of the couple dancing on the beach is known as "The Singing Butler", and is the UK's most popular art print!

His painting "Bluebird at Bonneville" is also very famous and has taken on a bit of a life of its own...

 

The art establishment generally dismiss Vettriano, and many in it really hate him, but the public love him. He finally got a retrospective in Glasgow a few years ago which I was lucky enough to attend: it was very popular and very good.

Eugene's Lair
Last edited by Eugene's Lair

 

Eugene's Lair posted:

EC: the picture you've posted of the couple dancing on the beach is known as "The Singing Butler", and is the UK's most popular art print!

His painting "Bluebird at Bonneville" is also very famous and has taken on a bit of a life of its own...

 

The art establishment generally dismiss Vettriano, and many in it really hate him, but the public love him. He finally got a retrospective in Glasgow a few years ago which I was lucky enough to attend: it was very popular and very good.

 

Hi @Eugene's Lair

 

Yes, I had a look at the titles and "The Singing Butler" was one of the first that came up post Googling! 

 

I find it hard to take the art establishment serious sometimes, in this case I can't see why they would not see him as a legitimate artist, he produces some great work (most recently Billy Connolley picture) and he is popular.

 

Ah, that must be it, he is popular and not niche or difficult to appreciate, not pampering to the eletist art snobs!!

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the exhibition Eugene 

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities
Last edited by Enthusiastic Contrafibularities

I love his work, but Eug is right - the 'establishment' really look down on him,  probably because he's so prolific and sells his work for lots of money while he's still alive.     A bone of contention is the 'soft porn' aspect too... some of his work is pretty dark in that respect, I suppose.     I guess it's ok for the old masters to paint nudes, but a modern day artist painting ladies in a state of undress is a no no.  

 

i'm probably slight biased because he's a local lad (I used to live across the fence from his Mum and Dad) and I can just about see Leven beach on a lot of his photos - could be anywhere, of course, but I'm reminded so much of my past.   This one is definitely Leven though - a view of Methil power station before it was demolished a few years ago.

I've seen three of his exhibitions because he's never forgotten his roots really and, to his credit, he's brought three exhibitions (at least) to the local council run art gallery for a run before showing in the cities.     Met him a few times at those exhibitions.... three times the same one, then he came out of his Mum's a few days later and caught sight of my ex hubby over the road and he had to say 'I'm not stalking you..I'm visiting my Mum!'  I find him compelling in some way, but he's not someone whose company I'd say I'd be comfortable in!  

 

Kaffs
Kaffs posted:

I love his work, but Eug is right - the 'establishment' really look down on him,  probably because he's so prolific and sells his work for lots of money while he's still alive.     A bone of contention is the 'soft porn' aspect too... some of his work is pretty dark in that respect, I suppose.     I guess it's ok for the old masters to paint nudes, but a modern day artist painting ladies in a state of undress is a no no.  

 

i'm probably slight biased because he's a local lad (I used to live across the fence from his Mum and Dad) and I can just about see Leven beach on a lot of his photos - could be anywhere, of course, but I'm reminded so much of my past.   This one is definitely Leven though - a view of Methil power station before it was demolished a few years ago.

I've seen three of his exhibitions because he's never forgotten his roots really and, to his credit, he's brought three exhibitions (at least) to the local council run art gallery for a run before showing in the cities.     Met him a few times at those exhibitions.... three times the same one, then he came out of his Mum's a few days later and caught sight of my ex hubby over the road and he had to say 'I'm not stalking you..I'm visiting my Mum!'  I find him compelling in some way, but he's not someone whose company I'd say I'd be comfortable in!  

 

Nice insight there Kaffy  and I do like the picture above, I think it appeals as I hail from a once industrial city and local artists use past and present industry in their work. It's like a beauty and beast juxtaposition.

 

I agree about the subject of women in the pictures, you make a good point.

 

Hope you enjoyed your birthday. 

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities

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