INDIE MECHANICS
[ DUMB LUCK, OR DIVINE PATH? | Keith & Sue Mohr ]
Recently we saw a movie, and in the movie, a
grew up in Arizona and Chico, California.
a teacher/mentor while learning the craft
painting was featured that piqued our curiosity.
Jackson knew what hardship was early on,
he was passionate about. He was also
The painting portrayed was valuable, albeit
and that set the stage for his independence,
making relationships.
quite untraditional (think colored scribbles laid
creativity, and risk taking.
out in random fashion). When we returned
From 1938 to 1942, during the Great
home, we searched on the Internet to learn
While living in Echo Park, California, he enrolled
Depression, Pollock worked for the WPA
more about the artist who created the painting.
at Los Angeles’ Manual Arts High School, from
Federal Art Project.
which he was expelled. He had already been
We discovered that the painting was created by
expelled in 1928 from another high school.
Jackson Pollock. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
More hardship for Jackson, but he found a
way to continue doing what he loved while
Jackson_Pollock) Jackson was the originator
It seems that Jackson was quite the rebel due
generating revenue. We are sure these were
of a technique called “action painting.” Up until
to his creative nature.
lean times for Jackson.
in a vertical position, utilizing thick oil-based
When Jackson was 18, he followed his older
Pollock signed a gallery contract with Peggy
paints on canvas and applied with a variety of
brother Charles Pollock, and moved to New
Guggenheim in July 1943. He received the
brushes. However, Jackson changed the rules
York City, where they both studied under
commission to create Mural (1943), which
and forged a new path in the visual arts.
Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students
measures roughly 8 feet tall by 20 feet long, for
League. Benton’s rural American subject
the entry to her new townhouse.
this time, the majority of paintings were created
Let’s look at how Pollock changed the art world
matter had little influence on Pollock’s work,
forever, and went from an unknown to a world
but his rhythmic use of paint and his fierce
Jackson found a connection to the wealthy
famous painter. We’ll go to his Wiki to learn
independence were more lasting. In the early
and famous. Guggenheim operated a famous
more about his creative journey. We’ve added
1930s, Pollock spent a summer touring the
gallery and museum. It appears this was a
our thoughts in italics as we read portions his
Western United States together with Glen
random relationship, however it sprung out of
biography below.
Rounds, a fellow art student, and Benton, their
his relocation to New York and his studying with
teacher.
known artists. This was a relationship driven
Jackson was born in 1912 in Cody, WY. Both
opportunity. Had he played it safe and stayed
of Jackson’s parents died within a year of the
Jackson was not afraid of change and risk,
in California, this relationship may have never
other, and his neighbors adopted him. Jackson
and understood the value of sitting under
materialized.
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Nov Dec 2016
ChristianMusician.com