While my nights are currently plagued by bad dreams and Elon Musk (how dare he sneak into a nightmare?) in what, I’m sure anyone with a modicum of psychological perspicacity might agree, is the result of Weltschmerz, my waking week has been full of bright spots.
We live near Spennymoor which has an amazing gallery, the Bob Abley gallery, which promotes local artists and contains Norman Cornish's studio, transferred from his home. There was a man steeped in his locale. Also the Miner's Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland. I'm a bit weary of curators, directors and the like dismissing the rather large section of the population who uphold their work - similarly radio 4 which, the soundtrack of my life for decades, I can barely bring myself to listen to now.
Love the socks and the daffs and will hunt out theTwiggy film.
I was just coming to mention the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland! We went to BA last year and it is fantastic. I definitely want to go to see the exhibition at Two Temple Place ( it is a lovely building aswell).
Thanks for the wonderful color, quilt, flowers, and especially, Twiggy! I spent the summer of 1966 with my best friend at her grandmother’s outside Edinburgh, poring over Honey magazine and lusting after the Mary Quant dresses at Darlings. That fall, I was the only mod at my Midwestern high school—mini skirts (got sent home to change more than once), baby doll shoes, lace tights. I was teased mercilessly but a year later everyone was dressed like that. Hope to track down the movie Stateside!
Thank you for another interesting and inspiring newsletter, you make my Sundays! I’ve seen some good exhibitions at Two Temple Place but this sounds like one to miss, although I like what I’ve seen of Eric Tucker and love the Pitmen Painters. One of the plays I’ve enjoyed most is The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall, must have seen it four times, dragging various friends along. That wisteria fabric is stunning and I love your daffodil- filled jugs; currently looking at a plain white jug filled with cream narcissi - from a florist as the ones in my garden have yet to turn their heads over. Thanks again
Jane, I love your writing. Because of you I have read a bunch of books I'd likely not have encountered, most recently the Tizrah Garwood autobiography. Blessings on your rose encircled toes, sbb
We all need bright spots these days, and your weekly column is one of mine. Heartfelt thanks for finding bright spots and sharing beauty with us at a time when we've never needed it more.
I needed a bright spot after reading the news this morning, then i remembered it was Sunday and your post would surely have one. Might go buy some daffodils, and it is far too cold for mine yet.
Thanks for another interesting read. I followed all the links you added. Thanks for those they made useful contextual reading. I follow Spitalfields Life and enjoy the insight there to a range of artists many like Eric Tucker, from relatively humble backgrounds. I did look up the curator but could find little anywhere about her own background so not sure whether she'd consider herself as coming from a working class heritage. I wonder what the reaction would be if an exhibition focusing on a different ethnic group was curated by someone not from that group. Not so long ago everyone wanted to be posh and then late 1950 onwards pop culture began to change that. Enter Tommy Steele, Helen Shapiro, Adam Faith and then the huge explosion of the swinging '60s and suddenly everyone was super keen to start waving their working class credentials around. You can't choose the family that you're born into or who bring you up. But you can choose the way you live your life once you have choices. I'm pretty sure I won't get to see the exhibition though I would if I could. The quote, " Our 2025 exhibition explores the overlooked richness and diversity of working-class life and creative expression from the 1950s to now." , seems stranger. I'd want to ask who overlooked the richness and diversity? I'd ask that as someone born in the 1950s growing up in an ordinary working class community in South London. I went to university and had a professional academic career so I wouldn't be considered as working class now. But just looking at Eric Tucker's paintings I can smell the winkles and shrimps on sale outside the pub which we'd have for Sunday tea.
I remember carefully painting on eyelashes every day! Will seek out the film for sure. Have been away on holiday trying to keep off the awful news and not looking forward to my return for that one reason. How has all this happened? I keep asking myself.
As someone living the nightmare in the US, I thank you for being a bright spot, a beacon from beyond. And pink is my favorite color. Thank you.
Jane, your newsletter is my bright spot every Sunday evening!
We live near Spennymoor which has an amazing gallery, the Bob Abley gallery, which promotes local artists and contains Norman Cornish's studio, transferred from his home. There was a man steeped in his locale. Also the Miner's Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland. I'm a bit weary of curators, directors and the like dismissing the rather large section of the population who uphold their work - similarly radio 4 which, the soundtrack of my life for decades, I can barely bring myself to listen to now.
Love the socks and the daffs and will hunt out theTwiggy film.
I was just coming to mention the Mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland! We went to BA last year and it is fantastic. I definitely want to go to see the exhibition at Two Temple Place ( it is a lovely building aswell).
Your posts lighten the week Jane and give so much inspiration each time.
The sheer joy of pink. Thank you!
Beautiful daffs, wonderful quilt and socks…will find Twiggy film and Dylan doc…no time for awful news now thanks to you 🙏🏽
Thanks for the wonderful color, quilt, flowers, and especially, Twiggy! I spent the summer of 1966 with my best friend at her grandmother’s outside Edinburgh, poring over Honey magazine and lusting after the Mary Quant dresses at Darlings. That fall, I was the only mod at my Midwestern high school—mini skirts (got sent home to change more than once), baby doll shoes, lace tights. I was teased mercilessly but a year later everyone was dressed like that. Hope to track down the movie Stateside!
Thank you for another interesting and inspiring newsletter, you make my Sundays! I’ve seen some good exhibitions at Two Temple Place but this sounds like one to miss, although I like what I’ve seen of Eric Tucker and love the Pitmen Painters. One of the plays I’ve enjoyed most is The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall, must have seen it four times, dragging various friends along. That wisteria fabric is stunning and I love your daffodil- filled jugs; currently looking at a plain white jug filled with cream narcissi - from a florist as the ones in my garden have yet to turn their heads over. Thanks again
Jane, I love your writing. Because of you I have read a bunch of books I'd likely not have encountered, most recently the Tizrah Garwood autobiography. Blessings on your rose encircled toes, sbb
Thank you. Your posts are always so so interesting and informative. A highlight of my Sundays. 'The Secret Painter is now on my To Be Read list....
We all need bright spots these days, and your weekly column is one of mine. Heartfelt thanks for finding bright spots and sharing beauty with us at a time when we've never needed it more.
Excellent as ever never fails to be one of my weekly bright-spots - thank you x
I needed a bright spot after reading the news this morning, then i remembered it was Sunday and your post would surely have one. Might go buy some daffodils, and it is far too cold for mine yet.
Pink and red, and pink and red together, always make me happy. As the reader below wrote, you are my bright spot every Sunday. Thank you.
Thanks for another interesting read. I followed all the links you added. Thanks for those they made useful contextual reading. I follow Spitalfields Life and enjoy the insight there to a range of artists many like Eric Tucker, from relatively humble backgrounds. I did look up the curator but could find little anywhere about her own background so not sure whether she'd consider herself as coming from a working class heritage. I wonder what the reaction would be if an exhibition focusing on a different ethnic group was curated by someone not from that group. Not so long ago everyone wanted to be posh and then late 1950 onwards pop culture began to change that. Enter Tommy Steele, Helen Shapiro, Adam Faith and then the huge explosion of the swinging '60s and suddenly everyone was super keen to start waving their working class credentials around. You can't choose the family that you're born into or who bring you up. But you can choose the way you live your life once you have choices. I'm pretty sure I won't get to see the exhibition though I would if I could. The quote, " Our 2025 exhibition explores the overlooked richness and diversity of working-class life and creative expression from the 1950s to now." , seems stranger. I'd want to ask who overlooked the richness and diversity? I'd ask that as someone born in the 1950s growing up in an ordinary working class community in South London. I went to university and had a professional academic career so I wouldn't be considered as working class now. But just looking at Eric Tucker's paintings I can smell the winkles and shrimps on sale outside the pub which we'd have for Sunday tea.
I remember carefully painting on eyelashes every day! Will seek out the film for sure. Have been away on holiday trying to keep off the awful news and not looking forward to my return for that one reason. How has all this happened? I keep asking myself.
Yes me too as well as wearing false eyelashes which I'd cut up and apply lash by lash. I thought I'd looked the bee's knees!
I painted those eyelash stripes on too and wore Twiggy-style skinny rib knitwear.