jackson pollock

Jackson Pollock

I couldn't finish this blog without doing one about the man that they were all inspired by, the visual genius of Jackson Pollock. We have seen and admired some of the finest painters and artists come and go over the last century. And Jackson Pollock is one such artist who has remained as one of the most influential artists of the past fifty years. Creating a unique style, Jackson Pollock left critics in awe.  Today, Jackson Pollock prints continue to dazzle new audiences that never heard a bad review or a negative comment.

Pollock was born on January 28, 1912. He became a leading artist in the Abstract Expressionism movement and is famous for his technique of dripping and pouring paint onto his canvases. He was married to artist Lee Krasner, and was known for his extreme alcoholism. Pollock was taken before his time in an alcohol-related car accident in 1956.  He was only 44.

In 1939, Pollock discovered Pablo Picasso's show at the Museum of Modern Art. Picasso's artistic experimentation encouraged Pollock to push the boundaries of his own work.  Another interesting tidbit I found was that Pollock preferred the fluidity of commercial enamel house paints to the more viscous texture of traditional oils. This choice allowed him to weave a more intricate pictorial web, flinging swirls of paint onto the canvas.  How cool is that, since I have tried using enamel house paints in some of my own work and I have absolutely loved it!

I wish I could have known Jackson Pollock.  I feel like I maybe could have learned so so much from him.  If he was alive today, I would totally follow him around all the time, just like Raphael did to Michelangelo.  He would most likely think I was totally annoying.  It's ok though, I would forgive him because he was so cool:)  Here are a few quotes from the boss:

“On the floor I am more at ease, I feel nearer, more a part of the painting, since this way I can walk around in it, work from the four sides and be literally ‘in’ the painting.”   -Pollock, 1947

"When I am in a painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc, because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well." -Pollock

"Every good artist paints what he is." -Pollock

Just for fun, I included this portrait of Jackson Pollock, by Vik Muniz (all the way from blog #1!) done in CHOCOLATE!!!  If you ever have your portrait done in chocolate, instant boss status ;)