O'KEEFFE/STIEGLITZ LETTERS O'Keeffe, Georgia 1936, JAN.-JUNE Box 1 Folder 7 JAN. 1936 Henwar! The holly came Xmas day at about noon -- Felix was here looking on while I opened it -- I wish more and more for the "Far Away" -- and the little sharp silver leaves and very hard stones seem to [talk?] to me about it -- Maybe in wishing for the far away Same wishing for something in myself that seems to get lost in the town -- Then this morning your letter came from Death Valley That is the one written there -- and I wish that I could go with you in the old car when you go off on the bad roads. Xmas has been rather nice -- Alfred is doing very well -- seems to improve steadily - and seems to enjoy his days. I am finally feeling very good only the center of me doesn't seem to come to life in this town - and ones work is very dull if one is dead in the center. I'll be doing something about it pretty soon I think- Dave has asked me to go to Death Valley about the first of March - He has also asked Adams - It's not quite my way- and I want to do something my way Would it be alright to go in February? That is - would it be warm enough to work out in the car ---? I don't see why I live here - it is so far to anything good - Felix play seems to be moving -- of course, there are many things it can slip up on but so far it seems to be going pretty fast. I wish you and Peggie were here to talk about it -- tho in a way I believe it is better for him to dig through it alone -- I am not of much use except that I like to encourage a person to be what he is -- when I think he is [?] thing -- to do some thing when I think he can do it -- and my idea of success or failure is in what he gets out of it [within/] himself -- not what it is for the world That is his audience -- I have been very excited over him doing it -- Good night to you -- I wish you could come to talk -- Georgia JAN. 1936 THE SHELTON - NEW YORK Dear Henwar: I intended to write you long ago ~ a long letter ~ but this city gets the better of me. I came to town the first week in December ~ was busy getting my work in order. It now hangs on the wall ~ and the paintings that I made of the bones I brought back seem to be getting all the attention ~ It is certainly a mad world. When I think of the weeks in your country and look at what is here I cant help wondering which is the dream ------ which the reality Sam Koury Santa Fe re light plants Now about your Movie- would love to see it----------- and would like to ask you to send it to me but I am not going to because I feel that for you to get the most out of it you should be with it where it is shown --------------- so that is that-------- I am wondering if you will be coming East Every one is feeling so poor- money is so very scarce I can not see much of anything that could come of your being here except personal contacts you might make that might give you some thing in one way or another -- God knows what the direction might be I can not help wondering if the [world] world seems as crazy and as hopeless and as helpless to you out there as it seems to many here. Painting seems too absurd for words-- but every thing else seems equally absurd and I was never more interested -- And so it goes. I feel very well-- even rather gay -- and all the time it seems I ought to be frightfully depressed -- I wonder if you keep on with your movies these winter days. THE SHELTON - NEW YORK Greet the sky for me in the morning when it is very blue ~~ and at night when it is very clear ~~ and whisper to it that I love it -- And let me hear from you Very fondly Georgia -- APR. 1936 [*April/368] Henwar Where are you? I am up here in my house on the roof and I like it. Your friend Peggy got away and I didn't see her -- I was sorry -- I never did see her really -- quietly -- but I liked her. Why don't you marry her -- I'm a bit vague but I think it might be very good for both of you -- Tho I must say Im not for the idea of any one [one] marrying any one -- I think of you so often and when my mail slides under the door in the morning I never have a letter from you -- Gulls squawk out over the river in the early morning -- lots of grey days and pink nights -- a foggy night has a pink sky I am painting and feeling very good -- Would probably kiss you if you stood here by the table right this minute MAY? [Feb.] 1936 Feb/36 Thanks for the warm feeling coming out into space to me ~ It comes to a near place ~ I have moved to such a lovely place ~ two rooms - kitchen and bath and a terrace on three sides ~ sun all day - one room a big white room ~ almost too good to be true ~ ~ beautiful light ~ all feeling free and open And I feel good ~ ~ feel like purring like a cat in the sun ~ 54th. Street near the river ~ Come and see me~. It is lovely ~ Alfred is grouchy about it ~ otherwise it is very pleasant. And that I can not help. I got very good notices for my show ~ sold only one small painting and that an old one ~ I got an order for a big flower painting for Elizabeth Arden ~ got it myself ~ ~ That is how I happened to be moving ~ I wanted to move so I had to get up a good excuse -- and here I am. Now I've got to get the painting done. Maybe I've been absurd about wanting to do a big flower painting but Ive wanted to do it and that is that. Im going to try. Wish me luck And think of me kindly -- warmly --fondly -- MAY 1936 Yes - Thank you for being I've always felt that way about you The green is very lush and soft and wet looking and near - I trust you to use what I have that is there that you wish to use - My love to you G- 20TH CENTURY LIMITED NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM JUNE 1936 June 36 Night before last I spent at Maries -- Everything has grown so the place feels rich and soft and cool And I always like seeing Marie -- she feels warm and friendly Paul seems fine. How are you? I am fine -- Am back at the Ghost Ranch -- a house far away from the others this year -- It feels very good and far away and alone -- I missed you at the H. & M. Write to me. I couldn't get Stieglitz to give me the print I wanted to send you. Ill send you a kiss by the moon tonight when I go up on the roof -- I feel all alone out in the midst of nowhere and it is wonderful This house is a mile from the rest of the houses of the ranch - I go over there to eat. Fondly G. GOME "UP HERE PITH OUR CAR Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.