Kathleen Dustin´s unique, richly detailed evening bags/art purses compel the wearer to enjoy them visually and functionally. Like a piece of fine jewelry or a silk dress, they are intended to be worn for special occasions, but are also to be enjoyed other times by being displayed on a dresser or in a cabinet. Each Kathleen Dustin art purse is made by hand and many incorporate a face or figure which is hand-drawn by Kathleen and then transferred to the polymer. As a result, the purses are one-of-a-kind or of very limited editions. Inspired by Renaissance or Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and the faces of her daughters or their friends, Kathleen´s images of women on her purses are stunning evocations of emotion and will always inspire comment when worn to a party or special event.

Made of colored polymer, these evening bags have a luminous depth of surface that is created by a multiple layering technique which Kathleen Dustin developed. She polishes each purse to a high gloss which renders this depth of surface even more apparent. After Kathleen finishes each art purse, the colored polymer is firm but slightly flexible so that the purse will not easily break. Each purse has a shoulder or wrist cord made of either black viton rubber or bronze snake chain, depending on the style. The lid opens by simply sliding it up the cord and is kept closed by two small rubber rings which grip the cord.

Because each Kathleen Dustin purse is so individual, even her limited edition ones, the best way to buy Kathleen´s work is to shop at one of the leading fine-crafts shows where she exhibits during the year. You may, however, view some of her purse styles here and email her about the availability of others LIKE those shown within equivalent prices ranges. Because of her fine-crafts show and workshop schedule, Kathleen regrets that she is unable to accept special orders.

__________PERMANENT COLLECTIONS__________

Kathleen Dustin's work is represented in the permanent collections of the Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin, frequently regarded as North America's principal museum of Fine Craft, Ornament magazine, and the Wenham Museum, Wenham, Massachusetts.