Meet your local artist, Julia Purcell

Meet your local artist, Julia Purcell

Julia Purcell initially wanted to be a musician

Lauren MacNeill – Assistant Communications Coordinator (Summer Student)

July 24, 2026

An energetic Julia Purcell in her art gallery in Clyde River in 2026. (Lauren MacNeill/Photo)

When Julia Purcell was growing up, her parents were both well-known painters within Nova Scotia.

She believes that partly influenced her getting into painting.

“I would have seen all kinds of paintings coming and going, and all kinds of interesting, creative work,” she said.

Purcell now lives in Clyde River, P.E.I. She has owned Purcell Parlor Gallery for 20 to 25 years and is offering art classes to people of all ages.

She began teaching art classes 20 years ago. It started through Tourism P.E.I.’s initiative called “Authentic Island Experiences.” The program is aimed at expanding offerings in the tourism industry.

At the time, Islanders from all industries were encouraged to come forward with ideas, so Purcell did just that. She went to a wide variety of courses.

Some of those courses included oyster gathering, mackerel fishing, weaving and knitting.

“Mine, of course, was painting,” Purcell said. “That’s what got me going and thinking, ‘Yeah, I could have tourists come here and paint.’”

Purcell also teaches drawing at the Seniors’ College of Prince Edward Island. “Any teacher knows that through teaching, you learn,” she said.

“I’ve probably learnt as much as I’ve taught about drawing and painting for that matter, just by preparing for lessons.”

Purcell’s primary inspiration for her artwork is visual inspiration.

Purcell’s painting depicting the sunset in Rustico, P.E.I. (Julia Purcell/Submitted)

“I’m not necessarily trying to capture my feeling. It’s more capturing light and shade, whether it’s on the water or in the sky or in a tree,” she said.

She’s also learning to go out in bad weather.

“There will be something on the radio that says, ‘Please do not go out unless you have to.’ But that’s when the ocean is most exciting and the wind is blowing the trees. That’s when I should really be out and about!” she said.

Purcell normally does watercolor and oil painting.

Purcell’s painting of the view of the Murray River. (Julia Purcell/Submitted)

“I am having many requests for watercolor lessons from summer visitors to the Island, and that keeps my watercolor painting active too,” she said.

Purcell explains that artwork has gotten close to taking over her life. She still does music: she’s a xylophone, vibraphone, and bells player in the Second Chances Concert Band based in Charlottetown.

“I’m pairing it down to just that one other activity,” she said.

Purcell’s advice for new painters? Learn to draw. “Try to figure out what you’re interested in and keep doing it,” she said.