Almost done, which is to say less than 100 pages to go. Given that the only time I find to read is on the bus I could hope to be done sometime next week...
But it's enough, certainly, to review it. It is, as the title might indicate, simply the memoirs of a rather successful English Edwardian Artist, member and President of the Royal Academy. There are sentences and paragraphs and entire chapters about horses, the author (Sir Alfred Munnings) really liked horses and painting horses.
But that aside, it's a good portrait (albeit heavily privileged) of the times. At the age of 14, when his parents were wondering what was to be done with a child that showed a strong inclination towards Art (and little else) he was apprenticed out to a Lithographer and learned the trade, using what little free time he had to take further night classes. By the age of 20 he left and began his career as a painter; shortly after experiencing no little success selling his portraits and horsey scenes.
It's an interesting picture of another age. His writing of paintings that sold for 250 Guineas, when the first country house he bought cost him $1750 Guineas, (7 bedrooms with 2 cottages for servants) should give you an idea of his success. The wiki article linked above will confirm it. It's also worthwhile in that he mentions (and judges) his contemporaries - the plays of Somerset Maugham, the paintings of Paul Klee amongst others.
It as well very much underlines the training and apprenticeship, that along with his talent, contributed to his success as an artist.
Not a great book, but a good portrait of the times, and a practical approach both to living and art that's often lost when we picture "Artists".
Worthwhile.