What an absolutely lovely and sensitive essay. Looking forward to learning more about this artist.
Sadly, although there is still enormous stigma and silence around the topic, here in the hard-driving atmosphere of Washington DC, there are several people I know sidelined by #LongCovid and for some the shock is absolutely devastating as they have lost their most precious asset, their "legal mind" and powers of cognition. After a couple of years, they fear that they will never be "the person" (or more accurately, the "do-er") they were before and can no longer practice law at the corporate level (or in some cases, at ANY level... ) not to mention being incapable much of the time of ANY form of employment and dependent for their survival on others. It can be enormously lonely.
Anyway, sorry for the bummer of a message, but great art touches upon all human experience. Will continue to enjoy your work! M. Murphy ("Moe")
I wrote my Master’s Thesis on Gwen John in the (very) early 90s ~ to this day I can still remember exactly where I sat in the V&A library, day after day after day.
if you haven’t read Celia Paul’s Letters to Gwen John yet, I highly recommend! Mason Currey wrote a lovely piece about it here:
Such a beautiful piece, and I'm so grateful for the introduction to her work 🙏 'Young Woman Holding a Black Cat' is as moving as it is haunting, isn't it?
I cherish this essay and it couldn’t have arrived with better timing as I lay in bed on a gorgeous summer day nursing a strange bug. Cat at my feet and light pouring through the window, I’m surrendering to the nuanced beauty of this solitude.
What a great artist! I’d never heard of her before, but I love her work! The young lady with the cat is exactly my wife. And I liked the poem. Good job, LRT.
We’ve overlapped... I have a Gwen John biography scheduled for the 14th of August :) A wonderful read, thank you. And congratulations on the next stage of your Substack life 🧡✨
Wow, this is a fantastic piece! Well done, friend! Beautiful poem at the end! Looking forward to more of your work, and being able to support you in the next phase of your Substack writing💞Huzzah!
Your poem was quite the perfect finale to this insightful piece. I love the artwork, and having had much convalescing and reflecting alone time when ill in my 30s, I can relate to the loneliness but also the self-sufficiency it brings in learning to be at one with healing and find sanctuary in my head and heart. I feel like my husband is finally getting to embrace that lonely sanctuary now that he has undergone cardiac surgery. He is so used to having much going on around him and many in his presence, but it's kind of beautifully tragic to watch. I have a gut feeling it will be of benefit to him as he heals.
Haha it was bound to happen at some point! Thank you so much also for being so supportive and wonderful 💕
It was bound to happen... great minds and all that 😄 🧡
Haha yes, and we both have great minds for sure 👌🏽☺️💕
😎😎 👌 x
💕💕💕
Well you do... 🥰
Oh hush, you’re far too kind! You’re the talented one for sure 💕
This could go on all night 😂 💕
It could yes! But let’s just agree that we are both really awesome 😎 x
What an absolutely lovely and sensitive essay. Looking forward to learning more about this artist.
Sadly, although there is still enormous stigma and silence around the topic, here in the hard-driving atmosphere of Washington DC, there are several people I know sidelined by #LongCovid and for some the shock is absolutely devastating as they have lost their most precious asset, their "legal mind" and powers of cognition. After a couple of years, they fear that they will never be "the person" (or more accurately, the "do-er") they were before and can no longer practice law at the corporate level (or in some cases, at ANY level... ) not to mention being incapable much of the time of ANY form of employment and dependent for their survival on others. It can be enormously lonely.
Anyway, sorry for the bummer of a message, but great art touches upon all human experience. Will continue to enjoy your work! M. Murphy ("Moe")
How have I never even heard of this artist?!?! Great share.
You’re so welcome ☺️
I wrote my Master’s Thesis on Gwen John in the (very) early 90s ~ to this day I can still remember exactly where I sat in the V&A library, day after day after day.
if you haven’t read Celia Paul’s Letters to Gwen John yet, I highly recommend! Mason Currey wrote a lovely piece about it here:
https://masoncurrey.substack.com/p/three-tales-of-creative-slowness?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Oh this looks amazing
Loved finding out more about this artist!
So glad you enjoyed 💕
Such a beautiful piece, and I'm so grateful for the introduction to her work 🙏 'Young Woman Holding a Black Cat' is as moving as it is haunting, isn't it?
You’re so welcome and thank you for reading. Yes I love that painting too x
I cherish this essay and it couldn’t have arrived with better timing as I lay in bed on a gorgeous summer day nursing a strange bug. Cat at my feet and light pouring through the window, I’m surrendering to the nuanced beauty of this solitude.
Aww sounds lovely, apart from the bug, get well soon. So glad your enjoyed 💕☺️👌🏽
What a great artist! I’d never heard of her before, but I love her work! The young lady with the cat is exactly my wife. And I liked the poem. Good job, LRT.
Haha aces! Thanks for reading, glad you liked the poem ☺️
We’ve overlapped... I have a Gwen John biography scheduled for the 14th of August :) A wonderful read, thank you. And congratulations on the next stage of your Substack life 🧡✨
ooh, tell me more! i did my masters thesis on gwen john many moons ago... . ..
Oh gosh! Maybe you can me lots more.
love to continue this conversation 💛
Me too 💕
Not a book (or thesis 😄) I’m afraid. Just a short biography on Substack :)
the more gwen john in any form, the better 💛
Thank you, Sarah 🧡
Would love to find out more about this biography. This essay has whetted my appetite greatly.
Thank you, Moe. I’ll be publishing it on Beyond Bloomsbury on the 14th 🧡
Great news! Thank you for letting me know.
Thank you 🧡
Wow, this is a fantastic piece! Well done, friend! Beautiful poem at the end! Looking forward to more of your work, and being able to support you in the next phase of your Substack writing💞Huzzah!
Your poem was quite the perfect finale to this insightful piece. I love the artwork, and having had much convalescing and reflecting alone time when ill in my 30s, I can relate to the loneliness but also the self-sufficiency it brings in learning to be at one with healing and find sanctuary in my head and heart. I feel like my husband is finally getting to embrace that lonely sanctuary now that he has undergone cardiac surgery. He is so used to having much going on around him and many in his presence, but it's kind of beautifully tragic to watch. I have a gut feeling it will be of benefit to him as he heals.
Thanks for sharing.