Erl Purnell Sermon

Alan Tompkins Memorial Service ~ January 19, 2008 ~ A sermon preached by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

Psalm 31.1-4; 1 Corinthians 12.4-12; Matthew 6.25-30

When I first arrived at Old St. Andrew’s Church over ten years ago, I immediately noticed two paintings that then hung in the Parish hallway. One was Amaryllis and the other locally know as The Fishermen—perhaps Andrew and his brother Simon. What a pleasant introduction to Alan Tompkins. Before I made the drive here to Duncaster to meet the painter, I had already been blessed by seeing his work.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is famous for recognizing the variety of gifts different people have and bring to fruition. In so many conversations with Alan, he always reminded me, “No, I am not an artist and I’m not a teacher. I’m a painter.”

Early on, Alan spoke about the four commissioned murals he painted after graduating from Columbia and then Yale during the depression. Although extremely proud of these works, his greatest love was painting on canvas. Time and time again he would show me what he was working on at the far end of his small Duncaster apartment. So too, he insisted that I come to his shows, the last of which was his centennial exhibition.

I am not one to comment on art, except to say that Alan’s painting was both pleasing and transcendent. For the most insightful look at Alan as painter, be sure to read Linda Powers Tomasso’s fine book Alan Tompkins, Painter.

What I do feel qualified to speak about is how indomitable Alan’s spirit was. Even as he approached 100 and his hearing failed him (actually drove him almost batty!), Alan was always present when I visited. He’d have something to say about what was going on. He missed playing pool—shark that he was—he missed Florence and his children, all of whom had predeceased him, he missed being productive. Most especially, Alan would be glad for the visit. I didn’t ask much of him but he was always gracious and attentive, even the last time we chatted at Caleb Hitchcock a few days before he died.

Thinking about Alan’s life drew me to the lovely words Matthew has Jesus say about the wonder and beauty of creation: “Consider at the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” In his 100 years, Alan, using his considerable gifts as a painter, only added to God’s wonder and beauty. Thank you! Thank you Alan! Blessings and Peace. Godspeed good friend and painter extraordinaire!

Amen.