This series is painted on antique envelopes sent to a lady called Florence (or Flossie) by different people around 1917-1919. Florence lived in Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts and the envelopes came to me in Henley on Thames via New York. The envelopes are beautifully addressed in handwritten script using ink. The stamps are postmarked with the time and date of posting.
Although the letters are not inside, I have found myself fascinated by the story of Florence and her letters. I am gradually painting the series with images and stories that spring to mind as I hold the envelope and look carefully at the details. These little originals hopefully mean that Florence and the imagined letters will inspire imagination and bring joy and love to others in the form of little framed originals. Selected pieces will also be part of the Art exhibition at The Henley Festival next year.
Love Letter No. 3 ‘Love in The Mist’
These flowers have such a romantic name and the piece began as a sketch researching a current commission inspired by Henley on Thames, and summer flowers. This letter was posted in 1917 and although it was sent in America, the story that evolved seemed to come all the way to Henley on Thames..
I began sketching the flowers and cut out tiny bud shapes from handwritten notes by a barrister. These handwritten notes are a constant source of joy as the script is so detailed an tiny. I also find that although the content of the pages is based around law and learning, when the pages are cut up and collaged the meaning of the selected words can be entirely different and infinitely more romantic. On This occasion two of the buds I cut out ( honestly.. without looking!) were ‘Love’ and Hobbs’. Love fits the story of my painting because of the flower.. and Hobbs is the name of a local family who have a boatyard, moorings and a rather fabulous local gin!
Each is an original painting and some are available to purchase through my website ( I would really love to know where the love letters go next!)