Excerpts from the Correspondence of Tobey to Lyonel Feininger
Feininger and Tobey. Years of Friendship 1944-1956. The Complete Correspondence, Achim Moeller Fine Art, New York 1991


I must say I don’t see much future for the white-writing. It has been interesting but I often wonder about its themes which in someways must be - perhaps I refuse to accept its limitations and make something of them but I do still like to paint a good leg-thigh or some part of the human organism. (May 15, Seattle 1945)

I am trying not to paint all summer hoping for a deeper attitude later on. […] hear Spring is in New York. Often wish I were and then again I don’t. Not until the seething humanity settles a little. (April 2, Seattle 1946)

Alas I didn’t sell but one after my show I am, I realize too far from the center. […] Such a lonely road - this painting in America. [...] Don’t know much - the weather here been so rainy and dark. I am afraid I spend much too much time with Scarlatti, Bach and Debussy. (April 7, Seattle 1948)

Chinese calligraphy will be looked up for some time. I dare not think of the future. Well our spirits are only time - and - space bound if we so wish. (December 21, Seattle 1948)

I haven’t painted much - felt confused and up an alley but hope to come out of it this summer. Must have more content. Guess I’m only really interested in religious subjects as far as my experience goes. I know I need more out of doors. (May 27, Seattle 1949)

I am trying to relax a little must do it on my own - mostly piano playing - Schumann - Scarlatti - Debussy - early English music - Blow some Lully and still earlier ones. This not accomplished but oh! to move in sound! Guess thats Heaven! Dematerialize myself into some flaring notes. (October 14, Seattle 1949)