Letter from Frances Hodgkins to May Smith
Date
Mar 1940
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL300
Date
Mar 1940
Transcript
Studio - West St. Corfe Castle Dorset March 1940
May Dear
It was lovely of you to send me the Maori card at Christmas with the sweet words on it very welcome & warming this dreadfully cold weather. I am glad you are out of it.
You could have knocked me down with a feather had there been one handy. I had no idea where you had to got to and am very glad to know that you have gone back to N Z for a time. I wish I were there too down in the Sunshine and all those little islands lovely but different to our dear Baleares of blessed memory.
I can believe how lonely you feel sometimes without your friends but I am sure you will benefit in heath in that wonderful climate. The views from your windows must seem to challenge all that is going on in the world on this side.
I am sure you will find peace & some good work to do. Nothing you can show them can be futile or tedious. Good luck to you.
I am still in Dorset. It is not wildly exciting, but I have a Studio and when I want “picturesque” I go out & look for it. I have a Water Colour Show opening next week at Lefevres & feel it is up to me to put in an appearance. Kitty Church has just had a highly successful show there sold 13 small priced paintings. & put herself on the map. Anthony her boy husband is off mine-sweeping next week.
Pictures, cheap ones, are selling like hot cakes. So that’s one good thing to be said for this war.
I have also a Room at the Venice International this summer. I am hoping to see Douglas in Town & hear yr. news, as well as his own.
So far no hardships other than blackout & coal shortage. But unbearable strain & anxiety & boredom.
Love to you dear May & be well & happy Frances
May Dear
It was lovely of you to send me the Maori card at Christmas with the sweet words on it very welcome & warming this dreadfully cold weather. I am glad you are out of it.
You could have knocked me down with a feather had there been one handy. I had no idea where you had to got to and am very glad to know that you have gone back to N Z for a time. I wish I were there too down in the Sunshine and all those little islands lovely but different to our dear Baleares of blessed memory.
I can believe how lonely you feel sometimes without your friends but I am sure you will benefit in heath in that wonderful climate. The views from your windows must seem to challenge all that is going on in the world on this side.
I am sure you will find peace & some good work to do. Nothing you can show them can be futile or tedious. Good luck to you.
I am still in Dorset. It is not wildly exciting, but I have a Studio and when I want “picturesque” I go out & look for it. I have a Water Colour Show opening next week at Lefevres & feel it is up to me to put in an appearance. Kitty Church has just had a highly successful show there sold 13 small priced paintings. & put herself on the map. Anthony her boy husband is off mine-sweeping next week.
Pictures, cheap ones, are selling like hot cakes. So that’s one good thing to be said for this war.
I have also a Room at the Venice International this summer. I am hoping to see Douglas in Town & hear yr. news, as well as his own.
So far no hardships other than blackout & coal shortage. But unbearable strain & anxiety & boredom.
Love to you dear May & be well & happy Frances
Sender's address
Studio - West St - Corfe Castle - Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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