A Portrait of Nall by Janice Hawkins

Janice Hawkins (Left) & Nall (Right) (Image featured in Nall at Troy)

I think Nall was one of the most generous people that I’ve never known. And I think that was true in all circumstances. I don’t think that people always saw that, but I believe it to be true…

When Nall first came to our house for dinner in the late nineties, he walked up the front steps and I can see it perfectly in my mind’s eye. He said in his grand, flamboyant dress and fashion, surrounded by his entourage, ‘I have come to get back to my roots!’ My husband Jack and I looked at each other and our expression was ‘oh, we’re in for quite a night’. We had heard a little bit about Nall, but you can’t ever hear enough to be prepared for the actual being and presence of Nall. It was amazing. The following year we made Nall Artist in Residence, a position he held for two years.

In August, 2000, Nall took thirteen artists featured in the Alabama Art book to Vence, their families, the Governor and everyone connected in any way. His mother came with us. He invited Jack and me because we were members of his foundation. He had a dinner at his villa to introduce the artists and guests for 400 people. He took the entire Alabama art group to Monaco for Grace Kelly’s Red Cross Ball and we danced with the Prince and his three children. There were 19 of us and I don’t know the ticket price, but I knew the wine and it was amazing. Our group also got a private tour of the incredible palace.Nall did all of this for his Alabama artists. He was showing Monaco and France Alabama artists and art. The people were very taken and remain so.

I was asked to speak at Nall’s memorial service because my husband Jack was unable to go. He was due to speak at homecoming. I wrote my comments over three times, trying to get it right. I never felt that I captured the right tone until I picked up a copy of the book, Nall at Troy, which I was involved in putting together. I am different, because I never read my comments. I never read Nall’s comments either. It was like a grand revelation to me.

I realized how hard he worked to become a part of the fabric of Alabama, to contribute to Alabama and to be revered by the state as he was in France, in Italy and Europe. I asked Nall , ‘Why are you beating your head against a brick wall to have Alabama accept you? When you are so revered in France and Italy? I’ve been with you in France when someone paid you a quarter of a million dollars for one of your ugliest paintings! He knew the one I particularly did not like. “Janice, Janice, Janice Nall answered me, you don’t get it! If Alabama accepts me, my Daddy will accept me!” And it finally made sense. This was the reason for his obsession to be a renowned Alabama artist. His wife Tuscia and I said ‘but your father is dead’. ‘ I know, I know’, Nall answered. He then added, ‘No, hell no!’

Janice Hawkins