“Messy” artist, Jackson Pollock

By DARLA MCCAMMON
Executive Director, Animal Welfare League

Monet’s father was very disappointed in his son’s painting career. He always lamented that Money did not become a grocer. He never recognized his son’s amazing talent and would be stupefied at the value of his son’s work in today’s market.

You read a column I wrote about Willard Wigan and his microscopic sculptures, some of which are inside the eye of a needle. But did you know his art work is so tiny that once, while he was in the process of constructing the work, he accidentally inhaled one of the small pieces?

Jackson Pollock was another artist we have discussed. He was a very messy painter, spewing paint out of large buckets and spattering it on 12-foot long canvases. Before his work became famous and his natural disorganization took over, he actually had two cleaning jobs. One of those jobs was held when he and his brother were both janitors at a school. He made more money for being messy than he ever did for cleaning.

In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen. Pablo Picasso was outraged when the police arrested him as a suspect in the theft of the most valuable painting in the world at that time. He was later cleared and released when the real thieves were found.

Many artists had eccentric ways. Consider Salvador Dali, who firmly believed he was the actual reincarnation of his brother. He was kicked out of art school because of some of his wild actions and beliefs and he also set a fire in his bedroom.

Most people know that Vincent Van Gogh spent quite a bit of time in what was called an insane asylum. It was there he created many of his works including his famous “Starry Night.” If you are ever on Jeopardy it might be handy to know that he cut off one ear but he also only sold one painting in his whole life. Today, those paintings are worth millions of dollars.

No one knows why Rodin created a bust of a man with a broken nose, but it was recently stolen by two thieves who evidently liked the $300,000 value.

Paul Gauguin was French, but spent much of his life in tropical climates. He actually lived for a time with Vincent Van Gogh but moved out when Van Gogh threatened him with a knife. Whether it was the same knife with which Van Gogh later cut off his own ear is not known. Like Van Gogh, Gauguin’s work did not become highly valuable until after he died.

Upcoming and current events:

• The Lisa Bemish exhibit opened at Warsaw City Hall Gallery July 22. Visit 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Adult and children workshops always available. Call (574) 594-9950 for information.
• Brenda Stichter exhibit opens at LAA Sept. 3 through 26.  Reception at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.
• The third annual Eel River Art Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in North Manchester. Following is the ninth annual Warsminster Dog Show and Furball at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Warsaw Toyota dealership. Several art pieces will be auctioned off and food will be catered by Cerulean.
• LAA is located at 107 N. First St. Pierceton or www.lakelandartassociation.org. “Like” them on Facebook. Contact author/artist Darla at [email protected] with questions.