Thelma Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thelma Wood
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| Born |
Thelma Ellen Wood
July 3, 1901 Kansas, United States
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| Died | December 10, 1970 (aged 69) Danbury, Connecticut, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Known for | Sculpture, drawings |
Thelma Ellen Wood (July 3, 1901 – December 10, 1970) was an American artist. She was known for her special drawing style called Silverpoint. This technique uses a silver rod to make fine lines. Thelma Wood was also known for her interesting life. She was a close friend and inspiration for the writer Djuna Barnes. Barnes even wrote about Wood in her famous novel Nightwood.
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Early Life and Art Training
Thelma Wood was born in Mankato, Kansas, in 1901. She was the second of four children in her family. Later, her father moved the family to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1918, her mother and younger brother passed away during a big influenza epidemic of 1918.
Just two months before this sad time, Thelma started studying art. She enrolled at the St. Louis School of Fine Arts. This school is now called the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. It was likely here that she learned the silverpoint drawing method. This is the technique she became most famous for. In 1920, Thelma and another art student, Myra Marglous, traveled to Paris. They went there to continue their art studies.
Important Connections
In the fall of 1921, Thelma Wood met the photographer Berenice Abbott. They became very close friends and stayed friends for their whole lives. Berenice Abbott later introduced Thelma to the poet Djuna Barnes. Abbott even took famous photos of both Thelma and Djuna. Thelma Wood also knew the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay in the early 1920s.
Thelma Wood had a very important connection with Djuna Barnes. This friendship lasted for eight years. Many people thought it was a very deep and meaningful bond for both of them.
Her Artistic Career
Not many of Thelma Wood's artworks still exist today. However, some of her drawings can be found with collections of Djuna Barnes's writings. For example, a sketchbook from Thelma's trip to Berlin is kept with the Barnes Papers. These papers are at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Thelma's art often showed images from nature. Her silverpoint drawings were shown at least once in a public exhibit. This happened at Milch Galleries in New York City in 1931. A reviewer named Mary Fanton Roberts wrote good things about her work.
Later Years and Passing
Later in her life, Thelma Wood lived with Margaret Behrens. Margaret was a realtor and sold antiques. They shared a home in Monroe, Connecticut. They stayed together until Thelma Wood passed away.
Thelma Wood died in Danbury Hospital in 1970. She passed away from a serious illness. Her ashes were buried in the Behrens family plot in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Thelma Wood's Legacy
The author Sarah Schulman dedicated her 2018 novel, Maggie Terry, to Thelma Wood. In an interview, Sarah Schulman explained her dedication. She said that Thelma Wood was an inspiration for Djuna Barnes's work. She saw Thelma as a muse who sparked creativity in others.
