Vettriano's tree of inspiration

Published on Sunday 2 October 2005 01:03

JACK Vettriano has revealed how the work of the renowned Scottish colourist Samuel Peploe inspired him.

When learning his craft in Kirkcaldy after deciding to become a full-time artist in the late 1980s, regular viewings of Peploe's Palm Tree, Antibes at the town's Art Museum and Gallery helped motivate him towards his goal.

He later made his breakthrough at the Royal Scottish Academy's open exhibition in 1988, when two of his paintings sold soon after the doors opened. Since then he has enjoyed sell-out exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and New York.

The 53-year-old artist said: "I was living in Kirkcaldy in 1988 and 1989 and would visit at least once a fortnight. I remember sitting at home trying to paint and would sometimes jump in the car and go to the gallery to get inspiration or see how another artist had painted something."

"It has always been my favourite of the whole art gallery," Vettriano said of Peploe's Palm Tree, Antibes. "You can almost feel the heat coming off the painting; it gives a sense of baked earth and searing heat.

"I wish I knew where that tree was. The painting means more to me as I spend quite a lot of time in France near Antibes."

The Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery is the only one in Scotland to own Vettriano's work, and he donated a self-portrait to the gallery in 2002. His close association with the town has led the painter to support Treasure Seekers, the Scottish Museums Council's campaign for local museums.

Vettriano said: "It is very important that we all value the role that museums and art galleries play in our lives. They offer a creative environment in which we can enjoy, learn and take inspiration from."