Tela Purcell

Tela (Cecilia) Purcell (1932-Present)

Browse Tela's Art

Tela Purcell (née Monaghan) was born in Halifax and began her private art lessons at the age of seven at Mount Saint Vincent. She then continued her studies through childhood and into full-time scholarship training at the Nova Scotia College of Art. Tela is primarily known for her lyrical watercolours of landscapes, botanicals, and whimsical subjects. She has exhibited her work in numerous one-woman and group shows across Canada. Her paintings have been included in permanent collections and presented to top politicians. Tela has given art demonstrations to numerous public organizations throughout the years and is a co-founder of the Lunenburg Heritage Art Gallery (now re-named the Lunenburg Art Society). Tela is also known for her passion for poetry and skilled calligraphy. Locally, her lettering can be seen at Memorial Room in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. She and Joseph raised five children who are art, music, and science oriented. Grandchildren followed, and continue the family traditions. Tela still runs her gallery, paints botanicals, and creates various other visual art forms.

Tela painting at age 17

Tela at her easel

Tela painting a full sheet watercolour of Lunenburg waterfront.

Tela setting up a natural display at the Lunenburg Exhibition.

Tela out sketching.

Tela in front of one of Joseph’s murals at the Westin Hotel.

Tela painting a botanical watercolour in 2021, at age 89.