[3] After farming in rural Victoria County, New Brunswick for two years, they moved to the village of Andover, where Walter Gillett opened a general store in 1911.

For four years she was employed full time as artist and cataloguer of specimens, while taking evening art classes at the College.

[1]: 29  She also provided illustrations for publications by the medical school's faculty, including Frederick Banting and Charles Best's research on insulin.

During her tenure at Saint John Vocational School Gillett was active in the creation of Maritime Art magazine.

[3] As president Gillett emphasized art as a community good, insisting on the importance of active "creation and education" over passive "appreciation".

[4][1]: 44 After retiring from the Saint John Vocational School in 1948 Gillett returned to Andover, joining her recently widowed sister and parents in the family home.

She and her sister opened a shop selling Gillett's paintings as well as a wide variety of craft works including hand-printed fabrics.

If what I have said in my art, or have fostered in my teaching, carries into the world a sense of greater happiness and beauty in my day, then all my aims will be gratified” - Violet Gillett.

Gillett's inspiration and rationale behind this piece was to include both food and love through mother and the child, symbolizing differing freedoms from want.