Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Dorothy Selby
Date
08 Dec 1926
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL071
Date
08 Dec 1926
Transcript
142 Wellington Rd Withington Manchester 8-12-26
Dear Miss Selby
Many apologies for not writing sooner to thank you for your kind letter & enclosures.
I have had a frantic “rush” on since the close of my show – with a double move – out of my flat & into Studio (and a bedroom) – I have scarce had a moment.
It is extremely nice of you to buy a Drawing – and rash – what am I to do about it? I have several small figure groups done at Bridgnorth that I think you might like – I will send them along – if you do not mind waiting a few days or so – till the decorators are out of my Studio & I can unearth my stored pictures. There was a fair run on my small things & I sold quite a lot towards the last. Considering the frightfulness of the weather & the badness of the times I did well – drew attention to myself & my work – made some nice acquaintances &, I hope have paved the way to a good teaching connection at my Painting School which I am starting in the New Year.
The University set has been most cordial & friendly towards my work & entertained me. I have dined with Profr Alexander who has just been sculpted by Epstein & has a head that is one of the seven wonders of the world – a fine old Olympian. He is writing a Thesis on art. He would like to know what goes on inside me – or any artist, when they are creating a picture. As well ask the hen why it lays an egg. I told him creation is governed by material. He must make his own philosophic abstractions for no artist can help him to an explanation – they don’t know – the mere perpetration preoccupies them.
I intend sending you a few photographs of my Pictures to look at, also some Cuttings – if you have time these busy days – to look at them.
Manchester is no art centre & there is a very small buying public. So I am lucky to have done as well as I have. I may take the “residue” on to Liverpool after Xmas. I hope Miss Barling safely returned Thorburn’s book.
I have been asked to loan one of my big canvases to the University – temporarily.
Neither of the 2 Art galleries have so far bought – but they are hovering. It has been a memorable experience. Some of it boring but interesting on the whole. I don’t regret it. I do think it is most charming of you to want a sketch these days when there are so many reasons for not buying pictures. Thank you so much.
Kindest regards to your sister & yourself. Frances Hodgkins.
Dear Miss Selby
Many apologies for not writing sooner to thank you for your kind letter & enclosures.
I have had a frantic “rush” on since the close of my show – with a double move – out of my flat & into Studio (and a bedroom) – I have scarce had a moment.
It is extremely nice of you to buy a Drawing – and rash – what am I to do about it? I have several small figure groups done at Bridgnorth that I think you might like – I will send them along – if you do not mind waiting a few days or so – till the decorators are out of my Studio & I can unearth my stored pictures. There was a fair run on my small things & I sold quite a lot towards the last. Considering the frightfulness of the weather & the badness of the times I did well – drew attention to myself & my work – made some nice acquaintances &, I hope have paved the way to a good teaching connection at my Painting School which I am starting in the New Year.
The University set has been most cordial & friendly towards my work & entertained me. I have dined with Profr Alexander who has just been sculpted by Epstein & has a head that is one of the seven wonders of the world – a fine old Olympian. He is writing a Thesis on art. He would like to know what goes on inside me – or any artist, when they are creating a picture. As well ask the hen why it lays an egg. I told him creation is governed by material. He must make his own philosophic abstractions for no artist can help him to an explanation – they don’t know – the mere perpetration preoccupies them.
I intend sending you a few photographs of my Pictures to look at, also some Cuttings – if you have time these busy days – to look at them.
Manchester is no art centre & there is a very small buying public. So I am lucky to have done as well as I have. I may take the “residue” on to Liverpool after Xmas. I hope Miss Barling safely returned Thorburn’s book.
I have been asked to loan one of my big canvases to the University – temporarily.
Neither of the 2 Art galleries have so far bought – but they are hovering. It has been a memorable experience. Some of it boring but interesting on the whole. I don’t regret it. I do think it is most charming of you to want a sketch these days when there are so many reasons for not buying pictures. Thank you so much.
Kindest regards to your sister & yourself. Frances Hodgkins.
Sender's address
142 Wellington Rd, Withington, Manchester
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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