Pollock Page #3

Are you missing something?

We can't.

We can't?

My life is full enough

with you, Jackson.

Where are you going?

Don't walk away.

We're husband and wife.

I wanna have a baby.

Our baby.

That's what the progression of things is

about. That's what the union is about.

That's not what

the union is about.

What else is there?

- That's not what it's about.

- For me!

The vows don't stipulate "baby."

I am not going to bring

another life into that.

We are painters, Jackson.

We don't have any money.

We don't get by.

We struggle.

You are a great artist.

I believe in Jackson Pollock.

There's you

and there's the painting...

and you need, you need, you need!

And I don't want

to be anywhere else.

I don't want to be with...

anyone else.

But that's all I can handle.

- This is it?

- Please.

- Let's go inside for lunch.

- It's beautiful here.

- I want to see the paintings.

- Let's go see the paintings.

Let's go.

We've just moved to the barn.

They're here.

Can we come in?

Sure.

Now be careful.

I want you to meet Alfonso Ossorio.

This is Jackson Pollock.

And you know him.

Ted? Come on in.

Ted Dragon,

this is Jackson Pollock.

They came up for a preview of the show,

and I expect them to buy something.

It's beautiful.

You must be very happy here.

Damn near.

The country's wonderful.

Just enjoy.

Now, this one--

You're retreating into

imagery again, Jackson.

Paint is paint,

surface is surface.

That's all they should be.

Now this is--

This is first rate.

Why don't you do

eight or ten of those?

Paint is paint, surface is surface.

That's all they should be.

Paint is paint, surface is surface.

That's all they should be.

The surrealists confuse

literature with painting.

I can't stand that.

They will not have their way.

What you're doing out there

is better than anything...

I've seen from you

in a year or more.

No, I gotta backtrack.

Peggy's mural.

That's when I thought,

" Here's a great painter."

And people saying to me,

"It's wallpaper. It repeats itself."

It's always been my plan

to return to Europe.

I don't have the energy for it

since Howard died.

But Jackson needs a gallery.

What was the one that missed?

The one that wasn't so good?

I don't think you have color yet.

Like Picasso, you're much better off

when you keep your color quiet.

- Which one was it? I'll fix it.

- The one with all the blue.

- It's predominantly blue.

- The wrong blue? Too much blue?

All I want art to be is good, Jackson.

The picture misses.

And what do you think, Ted?

I think it's interesting.

I like blue.

- What do you think, Alfonso?

- I think it's your painting.

- But you think it misses.

- Clem may have a point, and he may not.

- You think it misses?

- I don't know.

You think it might miss?

Alfonso, you think it might miss?

- It might.

- I'll just go fix it for you.

- Is he all right, Lee?

- He's fine.

So it's all the blue

that's bothering you?

What else?

You want the color quiet?

- It could be a little quieter.

- Let's just quiet the color then.

Now, this is something.

- No matter how drunk you are--

- I'm not drunk.

One thing's sacred for you.

Not anybody's feelings

or anything like that.

It's your art.

You're not gonna destroy your art.

This is something.

He's had four shows with you, Peggy.

You can't suddenly not have a gallery.

You owe him.

Sam won't take him.

What did Betty Parsons say?

So? Everyone drinks.

He's not the only one.

I know, but he's a great painter.

Of course.

I'll call you back.

I'll have supper ready

in a jiffy.

Looks like Betty Parsons

may take you in.

Peggy's willing to continue

the monthly allowance through next year.

So she'll still own

all your unsold paintings...

but Betty will get a commission

on new work that sells.

You've done it, Pollock.

You've cracked it wide open.

Pass.

A nickel.

I'll see your nickel...

and I'll raise you...

a quarter.

I don't like

the look of that smile.

There is a smile of love

and there is a smile of deceit. I'm out.

I'm out.

- Too rich for my blood.

- Two two's.

"There is a smile of smiles...

in which these two smiles meet."

- William Blake.

- Such a bluffer.

Did you hear de Kooning

sold to the Modern?

Want me to deal?

"A singular concentration

of passion and technique...

fierce energy, virtuosity."

I guess it doesn't hurt that

his wife is f***ing the critic.

- Who you talking about?

- De Kooning.

I don't know if I'd agree with

virtuosity, but it was a hell of a show.

Blah, blah, blah.

- Did you see the show?

- We're not in Siberia.

So you're the critic now.

No one knows I f***in' exist.

Who the hell's talkin' about me?

I write about every

goddamn show you have.

You're the only one, Clem.

What good does your praise do me?

It's new stuff.

You gotta give it time.

We're broke!

I'm digging clams out of the bay.

I don't see de Kooning digging clams.

Everyone is struggling.

- It'll break for you soon.

- When?

Jackson, I just took part

in a roundtable on modern art...

held by Life magazine...

for God's sakes.

America has become the center

of Western civilization...

and what you're doing

is the most original...

and vigorous art in the country.

The rest of the critics will catch on.

You just keep at it.

I'm keepin' at it.

Don't tell me to keep at it.

I'm keepin' at it!

Did Clem ruffle your feathers?

- I love all women!

- You get off him!

Get off me!

He can take care of himself!.

This is my house!

Crazy b*tch.

This is my house!

Okay, I'm glad that's over.

I'll be right there.

- Hey, Jackson.

- We owe you $56?

Sounds about right.

Hello, there, Jackson.

You oughta mind

your own f***in' business, bub.

I'm tellin' you, Sande,

if I can do it, you can too.

It's been three weeks now.

Not a drop.

Hell, I quit for good.

We're still strugglin',

but Alfonso and Ted bought a painting.

We won't see any of the money till

I sell a bunch more, but guess what.

Demarest Fund came through.

Fifteen hundred bucks.

I bought a Model A.

Ninety bucks.

No, I'm not kiddin'.

It's just like we used to have.

Would you put Mom back on?

I'd like to say good night.

Okay, then tell 'em good night

from Uncle Jack.

I think the Macys

are going to buy.

Good.

- Are you here?

- That depends.

I'm sorry, he's painting right now.

This is Lee Krasner, his wife.

Yes.

Of course.

I'll let him know.

Bye.

Life magazine.

They want to do

an article on you.

Damn.

I don't let the image

carry the painting.

If it creeps in,

I try to do away with it...

to let the painting come through.

Hold it a minute there, please.

Pollock spends hours

contemplating a painting.

It may be days or even months

before he tackles it again.

Who are your favorite artists?

De Kooning...

Kandinsky.

EI Greco, Goya, Rembrandt.

How do you respond

to some of your critics?

They have said,

"A mop of tangled hair."

"A child's contour map

of the Battle of Gettysburg."

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