Studio Building Rear
25 Severn St.
Toronto
February 13, 1917
Dear Winnie,
Things are pretty busy around here. I’ve been doing a lot of painting canvases and hope to be making up North when the weather gets more reasonable. I’ve made 7 so far and hope to get another 3 or 4 finished. I doubt I’ll show anything in the Spring Exhibition because nothing is selling so there’s no point in giving the critics another chance to rail away on what we do. Jim MacDonald is putting in pieces from Arthur and Alex, even though they are away. Bill Beatty is putting in a piece for $600. It seems silly to put such a high price when you know it’s not going to sell.
I received a letter from my brother George. He’s planning to run again for the Academy of Fine Arts in Connecticut. He’s still in New Haven and I may go visit him. I may go to Onteora in NY too. George Reid has a cottage down there and said I could stay if I came.
Living is getting to be a challenge here in the City. Earlier in the month there was a rail strike in the States and no coal was coming in. People were burning for heating whatever they could and there were a lot a house fires. The city is going to clamp down with more fire regulations but I don’t know how that’s going to make a difference. The coal started coming in again a few days but it costs much more. As for money, I’ve sold a number of sketches and that’s what’s keeping me on the good side of the ledger for now.
I want to wish you a Happy Valentine’s. I’ve enclosed a little sketch for you. When I go up in the Spring, I’ll stop in. Remember me to your parents and your sister.
I’d better get this in the Post first thing tomorrow morning.
Yours Truly,
Tom
Tom Thomson's Last Spring 