“The Purple Painting” By Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin’s signature on the painting
The frame
TITLE & CREATOR OF PAINTING:
Two Ladies Playing Bridge, a.k.a. The Purple Painting by Janis Joplin
I was 9 or 10 years old when my Mother got the painting and 13 when my Mother died. I don’t remember who told me that the name of it is “Two Ladies Playing Bridge…or was it “Two Naked Ladies Playing Bridge”?!! I’ve called it both over the years.
In 2010 & 2011, Janis’ sister, Laura, got it hung in The Grammy Museum (Los Angeles) & The Bethel Woods Center (Woodstock) as part of an exhibit called “The Art and Artifacts of the Icons Who Defined a Generation” organized by The Grammy Museum.
DESCRIPTION OF PAINTING:
The painting is oils or acrylic on the textured side of a 33 ¾” x 59 ¾ “ x ⅛” piece of hardwood (Masonite) panel, currently in a black ¾” floating frame.
PROVENANCE:
Commissioned by my Mother, Ruth Hall, in Pt. Arthur, TX and painted either in Pt. Arthur or in Janis’ art class at Lamar Tech in Beaumont, TX in 1965 or ’66.
Janis Joplin grew up in Pt. Arthur, TX. So did my Mother, my siblings and I. Janis graduated from the same high school as all of us in 1960. She left, but came back in 1965 and stayed until 1966. Then she left for San Francisco and fame. Janis and my mother became friends when Janis was in high school. When Janis came back to Pt. Arthur from San Frisco in 1965, my mom and Janis carpooled together to Lamar Tech in Beaumont, about 15-20 miles from Pt. Arthur. One of Janis’ best friends, Karleen Bennett, told me she, Janis and other friends used to come over for visits. Karleen’s brother, Herman, told me last year that my Mother was a “safe haven, beacon of light & wonderful friend” to a group of younger folks that were labeled as “black sheep, bohemians or beatniks.” Pt. Arthur was a big sports town and Janis, like my Mother and their “tribe”, weren’t into sports, but music, dance and art. They were a fun-loving group of creative and free-thinking intellectuals that came over and talked for hours. I don’t remember Janis specifically, but I LOVED sitting around with these guys. I was a “hippie-in-training!” Who knew?!!
Janis JoplinProof of Authenticity & Thank You’s!!!
This journey into my childhood to learn about “The Purple Painting” & the provenance I discovered has been a highlight of my life. Reconnecting w/ Herman & Karleen Bennett, whose affidavits are below, has changed the way I thought about my Mother in such a rewarding & wonderful way. I love them both very much…and they loved my Mom, Janis & me. They still do.
I never had one iota of doubt that Janis painted this painting & here are some documents & emails that will confirm the same for anyone. I got some fantastic help, advice & a new friend in Frank Born, also from Pt. Arthur, currently an awesome artist in NY. (frankborn.com) He provided me with an expert art attorney’s explanation of a Certificate of Authenticity.
The attorney, who specializes in art, said that in the United States, the only time a Certificate of Authenticity is issued is when it comes from the artist. Since Janis did not do that @ age 23, I have done my homework & compiled an overwhelming body of evidence proving Janis Joplin is indeed the artist of “The Purple Painting” And had an incredible experience of love & support along the way!
Robin Green, Registrar/Assistant to Senior Curator @ The Museum at Bethel Woods, where Janis’ sister Laura Joplin, was instrumental in getting “The Purple Painting” hung in 2011, has been invaluable & always super nice. To view the documentation she provided proving this is click here.
What great things can I tell you about Holly George-Warren, two-time Grammy nominee and award-winning author of sixteen books, including the latest book of Janis called “Janis: Her Life and Music”?!! Below, see photos of the front & back cover of that book & a photo of p. 57 in the paperback edition where she mentions my Mom, Ruth Hall, and the commission of “The Purple Painting.” She has been beyond kind & supportive to me & I am very grateful for her assistance. Thanks Holly!
Jeff Jampol, owner/founder of wemanagelegends.com & manager of Janis Joplin’s estate, was instrumental in getting some of the photographs of Janis to me that you see on this website.
To Michael & Laura Joplin, thank you for being you. Although we did not communicate much, I totally understand & am grateful for the emails we exchanged. Below are a couple, one from Laura to Herman in 2010, confirming that Janis indeed was the artist of “The Purple Painting.” The fact that Laura was the one that orchestrated the painting being hung in The Grammy Museum as part of the 2010 “Strange Kozmic Experience: The Doors, Janis Joplin & Jimi Hendrix” is enough proof right there! The other one from Michael, Janis’ brother, telling of his knowledge of the painting & the story behind it’s creation.
To my dear childhood friend, Bob Fuller, whose insights, ideas & “hand-holding” while digging into all this & well, my goodness, can’t be explained really. It’s something that must be felt. And boy did we! Thanks Bob!
My fantastic webmaster, Damien Sterling, took a few pics & words I sent him & look what his genius created! So grateful to have found you. sterlingwebmarketing.com
Almost last, but certainly not least…Janis Joplin, the Queen of Queens & my Mom, Ruth Hall. None of this “lovefest” would have happened without y’all. Love, love, love that y’all showed up for me & whoever is touched by this story to see you this way!!!
Ok, finally…yes, all the above, but God did all this & for all that has happened in the JJ saga, I am eternally grateful you entrusted ‘lil ole’ me with it.
~ Contact ~
info@janisjoplinpainting.com 1-800-587-2083