aug 8, 1949 - Life magazine article

Description:

During Pollock's "drip period" (1947-1950), he became very popular after being featured in a four-page spread in Life magazine. The Life artice brought a spotlight onto Pollock's art and may of his artist friends became compititors with him. As his fame grew, Pollock was called a fraud by his critics, causing even himself to question his own work. During this time period Pollock would often look towards Lee Krasner for opinions and advice.

In 1949, Pollock's show at the Betty Parsons Gallery sold out, and he became the best-paid avant-garde painter in America. But because of the fame, Pollock became more dismissive of other artists, inicluding former teacher and mentor Thomas Hart Benton. Pollock began to feel as if he were a phony from the endless acts of self promotion and scripted interview answers.

When Hans Namuth - a documentay photographer - began producing a film of Pollock working, Pollock had difficulty "performing" in front of the camera and turned to drinking.