Create like Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock’s studio in East Hampton, Long Island, methods and personality are featured quite nicely in this less than 4 minute YouTube video where he talks about his life and work. He mentions Cody, Wyoming and where he learned his techniques. It’s clear that a sense of place was important to him. Years ago my brother rented a house for the summer with another friend at East Quogue which is almost next door to East Hampton, but at the time was its less glitzy cousin. The first time I went out on this part of Long Island I was surprised by its beauty. The beaches here are quite lovely and there was a sense of remoteness, quite the opposite of Jones Beach near Manhattan. Pollock’s talk about painting sounds a bit like a world traveler’s process. He says “Because painting has a life of its own, I try to let it live.” Isn’t travel that way?

Outside of the house where Jackson Pollock lived and worked looks just like the place where I stayed. It’s a place that brings out one’s creativity and musings. In my search for Jackson Pollock stuff, I also came across this Web site where you can create like Jackson Pollock. Just move your mouse. I’ll let you figure out how it works since that’s part of the fun. Watch this short video for some inspiration.

Jackson Pollock’s studio and house in East Hampton

When I was finding out details about Cody, Wyoming for my post on Cody Cowboy Village, I found out that Jackson Pollack was born in Cody Wyoming in 1912 and yesterday (January 28) was his birthday. Jackson Pollock is one of those artists whose work I admire tremendously, but don’t know exactly why.

One of the things I remember about my first trip to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City is Jackson Pollock’s paintings. A long time ago I took the Foreign Service exam just to see what would happen and found out that there are some things I just don’t know. What I did know, was Jackson Pollock’s picture. There was a photograph of him painting and I recognized him immediately.

To celebrate his birthday, I looked into what mark he made on the world besides his art that you can see in museums. I did think about making a list of museums where you can see his work, but instead am happy to report that his former studio and house is now a museum and study center in East Hampton, New York. The house built in 1879 belonged to a fisherman’s family. Now it’s the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center and is where Pollock did most of his work from 1946 until his death. Visiting here is one way to soak in the atmosphere and belongings of a person who is certainly one of abstract art’s most energetic contributors. The house is open seasonally. Visits begin again May 1.

By the way, East Hampton is also a gorgeous, trendy place to spend some time, but bring money.