Yes: Jack Vetriano. Why not? For some reason I fell to thinking about his work yesterday. I’m puzzled as to why he is regarded so negatively among artists. I regret to say that I do wonder how much of this has to do with his financial success. I wouldn’t want to suggest that he is a latter-day Leonardo, but his work does have something I really admire. It draws you into it, and gets you wondering. “What is going on here?” “Who are these people?” Quite soon you find yourself spinning stories in the attempt to provide some reasonable account of what you see. This ability to impel the engagement of the viewer is not only something I wish I could do better. It is also a characteristic of all really good art. It is certainly a feature of the work of colleagues whose painting I admire.
Incidentally: I got my piece back from MoMa Wales in Machynlleth today. (It’s a good little gallery, by the way.) I enjoyed the cruise across mid-Wales, in the sunshine, and especially the sight of Cader Idris. Finally brought myself to open the box this evening and look at my damaged work. I can only believe that it was dropped from a great height. Incredible!