New Work - House Purse

House Purse, inspired by Helen Parsons Shepherd’s painting, Sunday Church, depicts my grandmother, Vivian, proudly holding her signature purse. Vivian was a professional seamstress and all-around craftsy lady. Her handmade house purse was a magnet for conversation which well-suited her gregarious personality. To my knowledge, my grandmother made at least four of these purses (my aunt remembers over ten). She took them everywhere and wore them out fast. Vivian was buried in her house purse.

House Purse, oil on canvas, 16” x 40”

The photos below provide a bit of background material for House Purse. The painting on the left is Sunday Church which is displayed in The Rooms, St. John’s, NFLD. This lovely painting captivated me with it’s glowing surface and elegant portrayal of an ordinary woman in her Sunday best. The black and white photo is my reference photo. The third photo is my grandmother’s last house purse. Vivian’s ashes were placed inside the purse.

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