Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Bothne

Hi Janet, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I’ve been drawing and painting since childhood and attended a good public school in Massachusetts at a time when art classes were still well-funded. I was encouraged by my teachers, friends and family to pursue art.

It seemed like that was the path that the “universe” meant for me as I continued to win awards and get recognition for my work through high school. Going off to college as an art major was the next logical step.

But I quickly found myself disillusioned by what the art curriculum offered at that time. The message seemed to be “anything and everything was art” —which struck me as a good reason to stop paying for expensive tuition and drop out after three semesters. I could do it on my own (…or so my 19 year-old -self thought.) At least I learned how to drive a bus while at college.

I headed back from western Massachusetts to my hometown near Boston and got a job restoring antiques. I was in charge of repainting the fine details on all sorts of precious (and sometimes hideous) items after they were repaired and air-brushed. But the owner of the business was praising me one minute and screaming at me the next; the stress became unbearable. I needed to find my next gig… I needed a sign.

Sure enough, one presented itself. Across the street from the antique restoration studio, a “School Bus Drivers Wanted” sign hung on a bus lot fence.

I spent the next decade driving buses for two different companies while also working at various other jobs part-time. Retail, real-estate assistant, DJ-ing, waitressing, and managing my sister’s evening wear boutique in Boston were just a few. I still drew children’s portraits in pastel for occasional clients and I tried to keep my hand in painting but I didn’t have studio space so my art was put on hold.

It wasn’t until I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 and got a job as a graphic designer that my creativity reawakened and nagged me to paint again. The problem was, I was the queen of unfinished paintings. Over these years, I had started many, but finished few.

Growing dissatisfied with the graphic design job, I knew I wanted to make a change and get serious about my art again, so I gave myself a challenge— set up a complicated still life with an array of transparent, reflective, organic and patterned objects and see if I could finish it within a reasonable time.
If I could do it well, I’d quit my day job and try to pursue my artwork.

It took about a month, (painting in oils on a 24″ x 24″ canvas,) but I completed “Putting It All On The Table” and when my sister saw it, she said, “How much would you charge for this?” Given how long it took, I told her $2,400. She wrote a check then and there saying, “I can’t see this leaving the family.”

I got a studio space and began to make up for lost time with a fervor. I was still painting realism in oils and constantly searching for subject matter that I could infuse with the saturated colors that so inspired me.
Within a few years, my style morphed into a looser sort of impressionism, until I let go of references altogether and tried my hand at abstraction, where I could let color itself be the subject.

The abstract works got the attention of the L.A. County Museum of Art’s Sales & Rental Gallery and I had my first real show. I felt I was finally back on my life’s true path.

During my 17 years in L.A. I sold hundreds of works to collectors all over the country (and even a commissioned piece for someone’s yacht in Italy.) I had been dating my now-husband for three years long-distance between California and New Mexico, and decided to move to Albuquerque in 2013.

It was a “reboot” to say the least, but since that time, I’ve taught abstract painting for over five years at my studio, have shown in numerous group and solo shows throughout New Mexico, have been a juror for various exhibits, and have been warmly welcomed by the wonderful local art community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

I guess my previous answer might make it sound like it was a smooth road, but it wasn’t always.
There are always hurdles. When you’re an artist, you’re often your own worst critic, so even finishing pieces that you feel proud to sign and exhibit is a struggle. For me it’s an inner voice always wondering “can I still make it a little better?”

Learning when to “say when” on a piece is still a challenge to this day and I think it’s a common one for artists who want to adhere to a high standard in their work.

Along with that, there’s the roller coaster of selling five pieces one month, and then not selling anything for months and wondering if you should just apply for some soul-sucking job that would provide steady income and quell your stress level. Oddly, whenever I was just about to do that, a good sale came along to carry me through.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

These days, I specialize in colorful abstract work in acrylic and mixed media, usually larger format.

Perhaps what sets me apart from other abstract painters is that I still adhere to the classic underpinnings of what makes good work —regardless of the style or genre. Things like composition, balance, contrast and variation. Of course after a certain point, one starts breaking some of the rules too.

I’ve been told my work is “accessible” which I know in certain circles isn’t always a compliment (I think the so-called serious art world can be more in love with art the average person can’t appreciate, like some exclusive club for the art-educated only.) I’ve always envisioned a bigger tent, so to speak. And I’m happy when I convert someone who tells me they’ve never been a fan of abstract art, but they love mine.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?

Kind of a funny one that my mom reminded me about years later:

I was in third grade attending an annual awards ceremony in the school auditorium with my mom. There was an award for art and I had won first place in both first and second grade.

That year, before they even announced who won first place, I stood up, ready to accept my award and my mom was mortified, pulling me back down into my seat. Well, they did call my name but then I tripped up the stairs on the way to the stage, my dress hiking up so that everyone got a good look at my undies. Lesson: Karma will slap down the cocky!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janetbothne.com
• Instagram: @JanetBothneArt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetBothneArt/