Artist: the late Janet Lynn McClish, presented by her husband, Vern McClish
Janet Lynn McClish was a female pioneer in the world of commercial photography. As a sales representative for a Swiss large-format camera and lighting company, she broke barriers as one of the first women in her field to work as a remotely located field sales rep, covering Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Her career was filled with memorable experiences, perhaps none more so than her time selling, training and servicing NASA’s photography department in Houston. She became friends with an astronaut who gave her access to places at NASA few people ever see.
After relocating to Massachusetts with her husband, Janet transitioned from her commercial career back to her artistic roots as a freelance studio photographer. She had long admired Anna Atkins, a 19th-century botanist and one of the first female photographers, known for her cyanotype images (blue) of plants, prints now treasured by collectors.
Inspired by Atkins and her own deep love of plants and gardening (studied geology in college), Janet began a personal project using a now rarely used, slow-reacting photographic wet process (had to be developed chemically) Kodak AZO contact printing paper, to create “lumen prints”. She created “lumen” 5×7 inch prints by placing plant matter directly onto the paper, exposing it to sunlight for hours, later scanning and enhancing the images digitally before making an archival print.
This exhibition presents a selection of these botanical impressions, a quiet, powerful celebration of nature, light, and time.
Like many artists, Janet spent much of her life working for others. When she finally found time to create for herself, that window was cut short by a force many of us know too well: cancer.
Aside from one show in New York City many years ago, this work remained unseen, until now.
I wish she were here to share her thoughts, her vision, and her stories. Today, with this exhibit, you can witness a piece of her spirit.
Thank you for honoring her journey by being here.
Janet’s artwork is presented by her husband, Vern McClish.
Stop by the library during open hours, and head up to the second floor to see the show. We look forward to seeing you!
Please note, the Program Room may be closed to the public during library programs. To avoid a conflict, you may wish to check the online calendar or call the reference desk at 508-210-5569 before you come, especially if you are traveling far.
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Many thanks to Friends of the Gale Free Library for sponsoring Art in the Library.