Letter from Frances Hodgkins to A.J. McNeill Reid
Date
06 Nov 1942
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL378
Date
06 Nov 1942
Transcript
Dolaucothy Arms Hotel Pumpsaint Carm Nov 6th 42
Address Studio Corfe Castle Dorset
Dear Mr Reid
I am writing this from a Valley in S. Wales, where I have been for some weeks painting whenever the weather permitted. It is a nice green valley with the River Cothy flowing thro’ it and I think that you might look more appropriate fishing for trout than do I fishing for a subject on a wet day – as so often seems to happen. None the less I have some quite good work.
I hope we will agree about this. I am returning in a day or so to Corfe from where I hope, very soon, to send you several of the possible 20 gouaches I have in hand & hope soon to finish.
The question of packing for post is rather a problem. You could assist me greatly if you would kindly send me a few cylinders it will be helpful if you can spare a few, it may indeed be that you have some once belonging to me. They are now a rarity and hard to come by.
In regard to the oil Paintings that you would like for my Show. I cannot, at this stage say definitely more than that I have not got my mind on them. I would like to know your date for the Show and also any particulars you can give me as to the frames for the gouaches, what Styles can supply etc. No more dark frames.
Approximate measurement 22 – 18 but exact size later accompanying pictures.
Much will now depend on how unpleasant the Dorset coast is likely to be, whether I can get ahead with my work or have to quit. When writing please address to Studio Corfe Castle.
I would stay on here in quiet & safety if it was not so horribly cold & wet wrapt in mountain mist & gloom, not much fuel, & not much heat, or light but quite adequate food & nice folk & a clean Inn. The very thing for an Angler’s holiday in the Spring.
Kindest regards hoping you keep in best of health & spirits.
Yrs sincerely Frances Hodgkins
Address Studio Corfe Castle Dorset
Dear Mr Reid
I am writing this from a Valley in S. Wales, where I have been for some weeks painting whenever the weather permitted. It is a nice green valley with the River Cothy flowing thro’ it and I think that you might look more appropriate fishing for trout than do I fishing for a subject on a wet day – as so often seems to happen. None the less I have some quite good work.
I hope we will agree about this. I am returning in a day or so to Corfe from where I hope, very soon, to send you several of the possible 20 gouaches I have in hand & hope soon to finish.
The question of packing for post is rather a problem. You could assist me greatly if you would kindly send me a few cylinders it will be helpful if you can spare a few, it may indeed be that you have some once belonging to me. They are now a rarity and hard to come by.
In regard to the oil Paintings that you would like for my Show. I cannot, at this stage say definitely more than that I have not got my mind on them. I would like to know your date for the Show and also any particulars you can give me as to the frames for the gouaches, what Styles can supply etc. No more dark frames.
Approximate measurement 22 – 18 but exact size later accompanying pictures.
Much will now depend on how unpleasant the Dorset coast is likely to be, whether I can get ahead with my work or have to quit. When writing please address to Studio Corfe Castle.
I would stay on here in quiet & safety if it was not so horribly cold & wet wrapt in mountain mist & gloom, not much fuel, & not much heat, or light but quite adequate food & nice folk & a clean Inn. The very thing for an Angler’s holiday in the Spring.
Kindest regards hoping you keep in best of health & spirits.
Yrs sincerely Frances Hodgkins
Sender's address
Dolaucothy Hotel, Pumpsaint, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire. Also addressed: Studio, Corfe Castle, Dorset.
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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