Art for our times

I enjoyed reading your interview (26 March) with the artist Jack Vettriano regarding his forthcoming exhibition in Kirkcaldy, Days of Wine and Roses.

It has been said that Vettriano makes you feel nostalgic for something you can't quite remember and I think that is very true for all of us who grew up in small-town Scotland in the late 50s and 60s.

His paintings portray thoughts and emotions that many of us experienced as we grew up: feelings of desire, longing, searching for love and devotion. A picture paints a thousand words and Vettriano's paintings simply say it all; that is why his work is so popular.

The Scottish art establishment seem to be rooted in the past and think the only art worth looking at is old French or Italian masters.

The skill of these painters was wonderful, but they belong in the past and they portray scenes and people who are of little relevance to us today. Vettriano is an artist of his time and an exhibition of his most famous work would draw huge crowds. Shame on the art establishment for failing to recognise this.

MARY WILLIAMS

Silverknowes Gardens

Edinburgh