Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Myfanwy Evans
Date
28 May 1944
See transcription
Catalogue number
FHL416
Date
28 May 1944
Transcript
Studio Corfe Castle Dorset May 28th 44
Concerning the Penguin Books will you please Myfwany be a dear and tell me how & where I stand.
I ask because having ear marked a certain few pictures in the £100 class, with difficulty, I can bear up better if I hear that a picture is no longer acceptable as barter between Publisher & Painter. The point is, am I no longer a potential Penguin? So what?
How very good indeed they are the 4 elite, elect Aristocrats. I am the happy possessor of all 4. It should be a raging Success and everyone in need of the Solace of Art should have a copy. But will they?
It would be less sad to know if my Book is not to be published, definitely yes or no.
It is raging hot here and very uncomfortable with one little stupid scare after another. Where did I read “Like what you get or be a neurotic”.
Am living on a petty plane full of troublesome jobs and doing little painting. So when you can spare the time do just drop me a line to say how you are and what is expected of me in regard to the token picture. I do dislike this uncertainty & the intolerable sense of sin & frustration caused by the unfinished creative act. It is cumulative & in the end kills the artist. Accept my love Frances
I especially liked Geoffrey Grigson’s tribute to the terrific meaning behind Moore’s work and it’s unity. I liked it very much.
Concerning the Penguin Books will you please Myfwany be a dear and tell me how & where I stand.
I ask because having ear marked a certain few pictures in the £100 class, with difficulty, I can bear up better if I hear that a picture is no longer acceptable as barter between Publisher & Painter. The point is, am I no longer a potential Penguin? So what?
How very good indeed they are the 4 elite, elect Aristocrats. I am the happy possessor of all 4. It should be a raging Success and everyone in need of the Solace of Art should have a copy. But will they?
It would be less sad to know if my Book is not to be published, definitely yes or no.
It is raging hot here and very uncomfortable with one little stupid scare after another. Where did I read “Like what you get or be a neurotic”.
Am living on a petty plane full of troublesome jobs and doing little painting. So when you can spare the time do just drop me a line to say how you are and what is expected of me in regard to the token picture. I do dislike this uncertainty & the intolerable sense of sin & frustration caused by the unfinished creative act. It is cumulative & in the end kills the artist. Accept my love Frances
I especially liked Geoffrey Grigson’s tribute to the terrific meaning behind Moore’s work and it’s unity. I liked it very much.
Sender's address
Studio - Corfe Castle - Dorset
Credit Line
E
H
McCormick
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