Janet Bothne

To imagine the puzzle and then solve it, is what painting in the abstract requires. It’s a maze, a jumble– where the rules, and most everything else, is unclear until bits & pieces come together to show the way.

It requires being present, letting go of preconceived ideas & plans and allowing oneself to see, feel & respond to cues that lay themselves out before you. If your practice involves underpainting and multiple layers of paint as mine does, it can feel as though you’re working ‘backwards’; delaying, pushing back—constantly reevaluating what the materials reveal.

At the heart of my work, is a life-long excitement for color. It’s light held captive, vibrations, an energy source with limitless possibilities. Its collaboration with surface and context make each new endeavor a riveting part of the puzzle.

I’ve been told my work is joyful and I accept that as a high compliment. The joy in the process is why I show up everyday to work at these puzzles, and if that emotion comes across to the public, I’ve done my job.

Education:

1980-1982 University of MA, Amherst – Fine Art Studies
1986-1988 Fuller Museum School, Brockton, MA
1997-1998 UCLA – C.E. Fine Art Curricula
1998-2001 Brentwood Art Center, L.A., CA

Solo Exhibitions

2021 "Circling Back" Matrix Fine Art - Albuquerque, NM
2018 “Long Division Revisited” Faust Gallery – Santa Fe, NM
2017 “Lucid Imaginings” Studio J Contemporary– Los Ranchos, NM
2016 “Awash In Color” Space at 500 4th – Albuquerque, NM
2016 “Enter/Exit” Santa Fe Public Library – Santa Fe, NM
2016 “Upstaged” Savoy Restaurant – Albuquerque, NM
2015 “Reboot” Studio J Contemporary– Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM
2015 “Time & Tempo” Bank Of America Building – Albuquerque, NM
2014 “Vivid Summer” Back Street Bistro – Santa Fe, NM
2013 “Finding Finished” Palette Contemporary Gallery – Albuquerque, NM
2013 “Champagne Tastes” Petrossian Boutique – W. Hollywood, CA
2013 “Dividing Lines” Maison Décor Gallery– Provincetown, MA
2012 “Solo” Art Expo – Miami, FL
2012 “Pleasure & Paint” UBM Canon – Santa Monica, CA
2012 “Mixed Metaphors” Maison Décor/Gallery–Provincetown, MA
2012 “Delicious Color” Artamo Gallery – Santa Barbara, CA
2011 “Color Commentary” Maison Décor/Gallery–Provincetown, MA
2011 “Between Here & There” Gallery Elyseé – Santa Fe, NM
2010 “At The Speed Of Color” The Electric Lodge – Venice, CA
2010 “Devise & Evolve” Brand Library Gallery – Glendale, CA
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