Dod procter

Arts, Painting

1890 - 1972

Suggested by Maisie – Sky Lumbers

Maisy writes,”Dod Proctor started her artistic career as a teenage pupil at the Forbes School, and went on to become one of the most famous artists of her day. Through the 1920s, she specialised in painting the figure, usually single female figures, sometimes nude, others in softly draped clothes. One of her paintings called “Morning”, was bought by the Daily Mail for the Tate Gallery collections which made Dod Procter a household name of the day. Dod was a prolific exhibitor and elected as a Royal Academician in 1942.

Originally Doris Shaw, she used Dod, her gender-neutral childhood nickname, at a time when female artists faced challenges in gaining recognition. Despite the obstacles, Procter gained widespread fame in the late 1920sand her paintings depicting women, children, and everyday scenes from a distinctly female perspective became well-known.

Doris Shaw was only 15 when her mother brought her and her brother to study at Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes’ art school in Newlyn. Dod went on to live in Newlyn, and is most associated with pictures of the people and countryside in that area. Throughout her career, Dod’s artistic style evolved in response to new influences and her travels abroad. She returned to west Cornwall in 1938, living in the area until her death.”

penleehouse.org.uk