Jack Vettriano: From "Heartbreak Publishing" to Kelvingrove Retrospective
Jack Vettriano, the artist behind the iconic "The Singing Butler" and Britain's best-selling image of 1992, recently sat down with Pippa Jane Wielgos to discuss his career, his upcoming retrospective at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, and the inspirations behind his captivating work. The interview reveals a fascinating journey, from humble beginnings with a self-made publishing venture to prestigious commissions and international recognition.
By David Robinson
image credit: Floren Interior Decoration
The conversation begins with the origins of "Heartbreak Publishing," the name Vettriano initially used for his greeting card business. He explains, "In my early days, I created a makeshift logo… a detail of a 1950s style tattoo… the nostalgic, melancholic look of it inspired the name." This melancholic tone, he notes, resonates with the mood often present in his art, making the name a fitting choice even years later when he re-established the business.
image credit: Floren Interior Decoration
image credit: Floren Interior Decoration
The retrospective at Kelvingrove holds particular significance for Vettriano. He recalls his early visits to the gallery, "I’d skive off work early… my time spent there was instrumental to my decision to become a painter." The gallery's free admission policy allowed him to immerse himself in the works of the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists, learning techniques and honing his own style. The opportunity for a retrospective, initiated by Kelvingrove's Dr Neil Ballantyne in 2011, represents a full-circle moment in his artistic journey.
image credit: pinterest.com
Vettriano also discusses the demanding 2009 commission for the Monaco Yacht Club's centenary. The project, which resulted in a series of paintings celebrating the yacht Tuiga, proved to be the "most difficult" of his career. He attributes this to stepping outside his comfort zone as a non-marine painter, working with a professional model instead of his usual approach of painting people he knows intimately, and the pressure of a tight deadline. However, the experience was ultimately rewarding, enriched by collaborations with Sir Jackie Stewart and the generous loan of vintage cars from John Coombes.
image credit: The Times
A recurring theme in the interview is the fictional nature of Vettriano's characters and scenes. He reveals that his subjects are rarely based on real individuals, but instead drawn from his imagination, often inspired by observations and experiences. His work for the Monaco Yacht Club, for example, stemmed from time spent on the yacht itself, imagining the lives and interactions of its crew, capturing the glamour and subtle undercurrents of the Monaco scene.
image credit: pinterest.com
Currently based between London, where his gallery is located, and Nice, Vettriano explains his preference for painting from his home studio, allowing for flexibility and spontaneous creativity.
image credit: pinterest.com
He cherishes his studio in Nice, finding inspiration in the city's unique blend of glamour and intrigue, stating "Nice has a glamour… underpinned with a slightly sleazy underbelly… a rich seam of inspiration." This desire for inspiration, coupled with his Scottish roots, ensures his artistic journey continues, fuelled by diverse influences and a keen eye for the human drama that unfolds around him.