At Art College a teacher once said “if you can paint people you’ll never be out of work” words that dominated my painting for most of my life. I wouldn’t paint anything if it didn’t have people in it. I have dozens of paintings that only have people in them.

But finding people to paint was a nightmare. I couldn’t afford models, I used to save clippings from magazines for reference. I must have had thousands just in case I got asked to illustrate a couple at a bar or on the beach, or getting in a car, (all you illustrators from the 70’s will remember that)

It was a terrible burden, if the guy had said “paint what you like, paint it well and you’ll never be out of work”, I might not have had such a hard time. Even better if he’d said “enjoy your gift and let it flourish” – he wasn’t that good a teacher.

Anyway I’ve just been looking at Jack Vettriano’s work. There’s a guy not spoilt by poor teaching (as he never went to Art College). A guy who’s gift has flourished. And I thought I’d have a go for old time’s sake, no pressure.

So looking at some photo’s I took of the Vicars tea party last September I found one of this guy playing the accordion with his mate sorting his music. A lovely old guy, does it just for fun, and he kept saying “any requests” 

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