Comments on: Doreen Fletcher In Her Own Words

By: Ann Rayner

Ann Rayner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:43:25 +0000

I was born in St Andrew’s hospital Bromley by Bow in Poplar December 1964 10 years after my younger elder brother David and 12 years after my eldest brother Christopher we lived on the Coventry Cross Estate number 14 Newmill House …dad was from Greenwich, mum from Bermondsey ..I’m still drawn back to the Eastend it’s a pull I can’t explain I see it as it was then and not now ..I look at old family photos in black and white and that is the real Eastend to me.. grainy photos of births and weddings, christenings, significant birthdays the odd holiday or day out captured as it happened with no editing out what you don’t like !!! Your paintings are like those photos to me, a cherished moment in time forever captured, never to be seen exactly the same ever again .. I had tears when I viewed your paintings , I felt very emotional ..thank you

By: Victor Evans

Victor Evans — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:20:17 +0000

I grew up in the Eastend and the area has always fascinated me from a social and historical perspective. I have long been an admirer of Doreen’s work. Her use of colour can turn what is a seemingly dull building into something special. Thankfully she has captured for posterity many long gone locations.

By: John Campbell

John Campbell — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:02:18 +0000

I love Doreen’s work. I wish I could draw and paint. Best regards.

By: Hetty Startup

Hetty Startup — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:40 +0000

Doreen Fletcher’s life and art is so interesting and I am glad that the Gentle Author has championed her work and that she has a new exhibition this year.

Having taught art history in Stoke for a while in the early 1980s, and having lived in the north for a few years in the late 1970s, there are some crossovers to my own experiences. When I came back to London, some friends of mine and family friends included artists living and working in the East end near Victoria Park and on Kingsland Road (by the waste).

By: Howard T M Kenward

Howard T M Kenward — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 06:33:36 +0000

There is an “outside chance” that I MAY be able to get back to the East End from Bournemouth during the “run” of this exhibition. I fully intend to try, and would recommend her work to all.