Sunee

Size: P15, 65cm × 50cm, 26″ x 20″
Media: Brush, Oil paint on Canvas
Date: Completed July 2nd, 1975
Where: Painted in Fayence, France
Signature: “benson”
Currently: A gift to Mrs. Butcher (her mother)

Initially this painting was referred to as the Thai Girl, after finishing it she called it Sunee. This was the fourth painting she did using her non dominant left hand after injuring her right hand and wrist. You can how the style has almost become very similar to her normal “scrub” style. However, the reproduction here is from a very small photograph that I suspect hasn’t really captured the detail and texture of the original. It is interesting to note in her diary that she is annoyed at the skill she had developed with her left hand, much preferring the results from her earlier left handed paintings. But at the same time she seems to enjoy the challenge of rendering the shape, form and detail of the turban and collar.

Diary Entries

June 4, 19752 hours new canvas drawing in.
June 5, 1975Not a bad start on new canvas – got the face covered with thick rough paint.
June 6, 19751.5hr background.
June 7, 1975One and a half hour new painting very good work, face. I’m getting much more painless movement in fingers, but using the hand more still pulls tendon and makes it ache. Eyes on you painting beautiful, she’s turning out to look more Japanese than Thai though. Must force myself to stop before technique becomes too smooth again. I’m quite astonished by what’s happening and can so easily paint   
June 8, 19751.5 hour – Neck. Late starting work, but it went well in the afternoon. Started having trouble with background when Dot came. 
June 9, 19751.5hr background. 
June 11, 1975Very untogether couldn’t stop thinking about Margie (in hospital with broken pelvis). Then couldn’t settle to painting. Had to scrub out the work I had done on background and shoulders.  No pain! I wonder if effects of injection will last? 
June 12, 1975Two and a half hours on checked turban – fun. A fun morning’s painting, working out gold /white/gray Thai stole. 
June 13, 19752 hours work on turban highlights. Had great fun doing golden highlights on turban and sorted out contour problems.   
June 16, 1975Two and a half hours work on collar and dress.   Felt in good spirits, found my weight had dropped to 54 1/2 kilos or 120 lbs or 8 stone 8Lb first time ever! Work went well on elaborate collar more difficult on dress. 
June 17 – 25, 1975 [Boyfriend Guy Tomine visits and leaves under strained circumstances]
June 26, 1975A proper night’s rest at last. Dreamt about using different oils and glazing colours to get a richer effect. Did some rotten lousy painting. Tried to change water girl’s eyes, but didn’t like it. Took it out. Put water drops on hands and sea movement around wrists . Went shopping. Took photos of all new paintings outside put film in and will be ready Saturday. Felt so sad and old and full of missed opportunities professionally. The knotted-up tension at having people around me too much is certainly enough to ensure dying in solitary obscurity, probably be poor with it too!
July 1, 19753 hrrs BangKok background. Up at 5:00 AM but feeling tired. Found out later it was general due to the very strong mistral yesterday. Started work at 9:00 AM but it took ages to work up any enthusiasm. This painting I don’t like. It’s not turning out as I had wanted.  
July 2, 19754th Left hand work Finiished in 20hrs. 26″x20″ 15P. Finished background and put in flowers and airing which helped and raised shoulders.   

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Anthony

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