1. What motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking
an idea or experience and turning it into this book? I was 79 years old when I wrote the text about my life and my artwork. I then had the perspective to see its wide
range and variation. I was able to organize and assemble the paintings so
others can see my journey and mission, which is to present new and challenging
perceptions of nature’s world of flowers and plants. They are my world – I live in my loft amidst
130 house plants surrounded by 50 paintings on the surrounding walls.
2. What is it about and who is it for? I wanted to tell my story,
not only for artists, about facing the challenge of continuing to paint despite
personal, financial and art world barriers, particularly for women. I think it will offer encouragement and
inspire those who set out to be artists, or to find their way in any profession
to believe in their abilities and persevere despite hardship. I like to think of my paintings as a gift for
myself and others – a gift of seeing deeply into not only the beauty of nature,
but the strength, power, and vulnerability of its bounty.
3. What takeaways might the reader will be left with after reading
it? As I indicated above, a reader will have,
perhaps for the first time, a deeper, more intimate experience of Nature’s
beauty, strength, power and bounty.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? I titled the book “Unanticipated” based on my life story and the
unanticipated events that occurred, yet knowing intrinsically that I needed to
keep painting, to fulfill my mission. The cover selection was
difficult because all the paintings reveal my mission. I wanted the undisputable beauty of flowers
to “jump” off the bookshelf. The one
chosen does this and is also suited to certain design considerations required
by the book’s format.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Discover yourself and be yourself – then you will be able to meet
the challenges that inevitably come your way. Also, very important, budget and
keep track of what you spend, what you really need.
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you
think the book publishing industry is heading? We now live in such a provocative visual culture that art and
illustrated books are no longer the only way to see and reflect on this
work. Nor do they have the singular
appeal of decades past. Therefore,
fewer books in this category are published.
However, I think there will always be people who want to own and read a
printed book, without the digital noise.
After all print is a medium that has proven its value and longevity.
7. What challenges did you overcome to write this book? I was hospitalized with Covid-19 in 2021 and this slowed me down
for months. The writing was a personal
challenge as it, at times, uncovered painful memories.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Direct, natural and to the point.
9. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? “UNANTCIPATED – A Life in Art” - is inspiring and uplifting and the flowers and plants are presented in original ways that will change a reader’s way of seeing them in the natural world.
About The Author: Janet Alling attended Skidmore and then Yale School
of Art & Architecture. She studied with Alex Katz, Neil
Welliver, Jack Tworkov, Philip Pearlstein. Neil had been a student of Josef
Albers when he taught at Yale. Alling received a BFA 1962 &
MFA 1964 and lived in New York City for 40 years. She worked at the
Guggenheim in conservation with Orrin H. Riley the great conservator and painting
restorer. In 1972 she moved into a loft in Noho just north of the Soho art
scene. Janet moved to Providence, RI. in 2005. And
in 2010 she had a retrospective at the Newport Art Museum. She
has devoted her artistic energy and time to redefine flower painting as a
subject of modern and contemporary art. She paints from live
plants as well as from photographs she has taken. All Janet’s work is
handsomely displayed in the stunning monograph Unanticipated: A Life
in Art.
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