Tuesday

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"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." - Jackson Pollock, 1947
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I learned of Jackson Pollock by watching the movie "Pollock." Play Ed Harris as the artist and Marcia Gay Harden as his wife, Lee Krasner.

The general information on Pollock is this:

Pollock's full name was Paul Jackson Pollock. He was born on January 28, 1912 in Cody, Wyoming and the youngest of five sons of LeRoy Pollock and Stella May McClure.

Pollock married American painter, Lee Krasner, in October 1945. Pollock died on August 11, 1956 at the age of 44 in an alcohol-related car accident. He was plagued through his adult life with alcoholism.

In November of 1945, Pollock and Krasner purchased (with the assist of Peggy Guggenheim providing the down payment) a wood-framed house at 830 Springs Fireplace Road, in Springs on Long Island, New York. Pollock converted a nearby barn into a studio and is where he ameliorated his technique of "drip" painting which he would become permanently identified. His drip period lasted from 1947 to 1950.

I was drawn to his drip paintings. My thought was if he could do that so could I and I did. Although I used watercolor instead of oil, I utilized what I called a flinging or spatter method in my paintings. I also used color sparingly using only three to four colors and left areas of white patches. I kept to brushes but I read that Pollock used: sticks, palette knives, rags, and his hands. He also used sand, glass or anything else that would suit his purpose to change the texture of the paint.

To get more details into Pollock's life, you can go here.

To see some of his art work you can go to this site.
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After taking care of the food bank provisions, Michael and I did errands and since I had added a little money to my Starbucks card, we went and had a couple of coffees. Michael had a double shot espresso and I had a large caffe mocha. Whew boy, did I get a buzz! We were going to go back after 2 p.m. (Starbucks is having a promotion where if you purchase an espresso before 11 a.m. you can come back after 2 p.m. and get your second espresso at half off) but I was still bouncing off the ceiling and felt I didn't need any more coffee in my system. Michael's espresso didn't bother him at all.
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When we came back from town our neighbor across the fence in front was out in front doing some yard work. Since we had never officially introduced ourselves, we walked over to comment on the improvements he was making. Come to find out he is a fireman. He was on duty in SLO-town and heard the call come in about the explosion in the neighbor's apartment. Through our neighbor we learned the suspicious device found in the freezer was a piece of pipe that had been taped on both ends (so thought because there was adhesive from the tape) and the ends were burned. Hence, the bomb squad was called. Why two trucks were needed is beyond me although I am glad they came prepared.

Anyway, we talked about having a celebration barbecue if we ever get a decent family in across the way that will fit in our little barrio. So please say prayers we are sent good neighbors.

mz. em

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Currently reading:
-- Sue Grafton ABC Gift Collection: "A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, C is for Corpse"
-- "Living, Loving & Learning" - Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D.
-- "The Daily Book of Art/356 readings that teach, inspire & entertain" - day 141
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