Vettriano's Choice of Name a "Marketing Ploy"

Whether you hate or love his paintings, believe he'll disappear into obscurity after his death or be hailed as a successful figurative painter who was unappreciated by the establishment in his lifetime, you have to admit that Jack Vettriano's paintings sell. And that's certainly one of the definitions of a successful artist... But did you know he didn't always sign his paintings "Vettriano"?

In an article in The Times about his success and pending choice of a new gallery to represent him, Vettriano says changed his name in 1989 when he decided to see if he could make a living from his painting. He'd started painting in 1973, at the age of 21, signing his work with his "real name", Jack Hoggan. In 1989 he swapped to his mother's maiden name, Vettriano, as "a wonderful marketing ploy".

It's not the lack of a Scottish name that sees him rejected by the establishment, it's rather that he's self taught and populist. He's quoted as saying that he "is angered by the attitude of the Scottish establishment", that he's "the best known Scottish artist ever ... The Royal Scottish Academy should be about recognising people that make an impact." Read the full article on Vettriano...