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At the suggestion of her friend and advisor , Marcel Duchamp , Pollock painted the work on canvas rather than the wall , so that it would be portable .
That was a great idea ! Jackson could take his work around and show it in other venues . He capitalized on other ’ s suggestions and ideas , and applied them in his journey .
After seeing the big mural , the art critic Clement Greenberg wrote : “ I took one look at it and I thought , ‘ Now that ’ s great art ,’ and I knew Jackson was the greatest painter this country had produced .”
Jackson turned heads with his unique creativity even before his discovery of a new method and medium in the art world . His studying paid off early as his credibility was being established , and more doors were opened to him because of his reputation .
In October 1945 , Pollock married the American painter Lee Kranser . In November , they moved out of the city to the Springs area of East Hampton on the south shore of Long Island . With the help of a down-payment loan from Peggy Guggenheim , they bought a woodframe house and barn . Pollock converted the barn into a studio . In that space , he perfected his big “ drip ” technique of working with paint , with which he would become permanently identified .
The relationship with Guggenheim paid off again and again in his life , and provided him the stability to start his family and have a facility to discover what would become his calling card in his career .
Pollock was introduced to the use of liquid paint in 1936 at an experimental workshop in
New York City by the Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros .
Jackson continued to be open to learning , expanding his mind and exploring possibilities . He never stopped learning or experimenting .
He later used paint pouring as one of several techniques on canvases of the early 1940s , such as Male and Female and Composition with Pouring I . After his move to Springs , he began painting with his canvases laid out on the studio floor , and he developed what was later called his “ drip ” technique . He started using synthetic resin-based paints called alkyd enamels , which , at that time , was a novel medium .
And here is the discovery that would change his life and career !
Pollock described this use of household paints , instead of artist ’ s paints , as “ a natural growth out of a need .” Pollock ’ s technique of pouring and dripping paint is thought to be one of the origins of the term “ action painting ”. With this technique , Pollock was able to achieve a more immediate means of creating art , the paint now literally flowing from his chosen tool onto the canvas . By defying the convention of painting on an upright surface , he added a new dimension by being able to view and apply paint to his canvases from all directions .
You have to be first , best , or different . Being one is great , being two is awesome , having all three is incredible and can change culture !
Pollock ’ s most famous paintings were made during the “ drip period ” between 1947 and 1950 . He rocketed to fame following an August 8 , 1949 four-page spread in Life magazine that asked , “ Is he the greatest living painter in the United States ?”
Jackson dared to be different , took a risk , and created new content that could have been rejected by the establishment and consumers , yet it resonated with the masses . The masses at that time were ready for abstract art . Pollock took the risk and was rewarded ! Dumb luck , or divine path ?
In 2013 , Pollock ’ s Number 19 ( 1948 ) was sold by Christie ’ s for a reported $ 58,363,750 during an auction that ultimately reached $ 495 million total sales in one night , which Christie ’ s reports as a record to date as the most expensive auction of contemporary art .
In February 2016 , Bloomberg News reported that Kenneth C . Griffin had purchased Jackson Pollock ’ s 1948 painting , Number 17A , for $ 200 million , from David Geffen .
Wow !
In Conclusion : Even though Jackson ’ s world was the visual , his life lessons can apply to anyone creative , whether it be as a songwriter , musician , writer , or anyone for that matter .
Here ’ s the takeaway : Was Jackson a beneficiary of dumb luck , or divine path ? It may be one or the other , or a combination of both . The biography did not make mention if Jackson was a Christian , but in our opinion , God uses all of our stories to create His story . He uses His creations , imperfect vessels , to usher in new creativity through a variety of situations , circumstances , decisions , and opportunities . He seems to want to do this with those who are daring , risk takers , learners and doers .
We love learning about other ’ s journeys . There is much to learn from other ’ s success and failure . How is your journey going ? We ’ d love to hear from you ! Keith and Sue Mohr , The Indie Mechanics
Nov � Dec 2016 ChristianMusician . com
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