Diary extracts for September 1949 to March 1951
[unknown date]:
Got Daniels to show me some of the ropes, and found myself more or less in charge of a class of 50 students drawing from life. Found it rather difficult at first, but think I shall get over my nerves and be able to help and enjoy things a bit.
In the evening class had about 15 students which made things easier, and found them rather an interesting lot.
1st Mar 1950:
New Studio finished
. . . the light is wonderful and certainly shows up the defects of my paintings.
Started work on the watercourse at Gordale Scar (40x40). It will be a rush to get it ready for the RA.
1st Jan 1951:
. . . got to work on ‘Kirkham Abbey’(30x50) which has been on the stocks for more than six months, and shows very little signs of improving or getting anywhere near what I want. [Kirkham Abbey on the Derwent (1951)]
7th Mar 1951:
Private View of my recent painting at the Redfern Gallery
. . . Quite a good turn up at the Redfern . . . Only one painting sold, and that at half price to a young man who has been saving up for a year to buy something of mine. He served an apprenticeship on a windjammer. The paintings are all fairly large so only a dozen are hung, and quite enough.
12th Mar 1951:
Called in at the Redfern Gallery in the evening after school. Nothing doing in the way of sales, which is very depressing.
Nan Kivell says there is a possibility of a commission to do a painting of Guy's Hospital - I hope it comes off. [nothing came of this]
The Society folk who are holding shows in the adjoining galleries are doing well after having thrown expensive cocktail parties.
15th Mar 1951:
My birthday. Had breakfast in bed. Philippa came in first with a red tie! A little later Caroline with another dark reddish tie, and a parcel from Nellie Topham [old family friend] with another red tie!. . . Crispin gave me a very fine drawing he had just done at the Southampton School of Art the Hythe Ferry yard full of interesting detail.
15th Mar 1951:
Working all day on painting (40x30) of ‘A Judgement’ of musical instruments. The idea is to get it finished for the RA if possible, as it might be a good seller.
The Times had a good notice of his show at the Redfern.
31st Mar 1951:
Finished ‘A Judgement’ after working hard at it every day since the 15th March.
The weather has been absolutely frightful so I haven’t missed anything out of doors.
Redfern show closes today. Nothing sold.
31st Mar 1951:
Sending in day at the RA for members. Took in ‘The Judgement’. The frame certainly made a difference as I thought it would. Now we have to wait and see what happens at the RA.