Got the cold weather blues? Stuck in the house with nothing to do? Spontaneous parties are some of the best, most memorable times you'll ever have and have I got a theme for you – Jackson Pollock!
Gather up all your artsy, creative friends and have fun making your own Pollock-style painting.
Getting Started
First off, you need space to paint. Pollock's paintings are massive! Yours probably won't be anywhere near that size. I suggest the kitchen floor or some other open area in your house. Line the floor, as well as anything else you might not want paint on, with inexpensive painters plastic. (This project is a little messy!) Jackson preferred to paint on the floor or wall instead of an easel to feel more like part of the painting. He liked to walk around and paint from each and every angle.
Supplies
Buying canvas in bulk is the best idea for this project. You can find packs of canvases at your local craft supply store. (Check on their website first for printable coupons!) The size is up to you. You might even encourage your friends to bring their own, ensuring you will have a variety of sizes and styles.
(Note- you can paint on anything! Look around for recyclable items to use instead – those extra wooden shelves your bookcase came with, maybe left over cork board from another project. The possibilities are endless)
As for paints … Get your friends to bring their own and have everyone share. Pollock used layer upon layer of liquid paints for his masterpieces, but also anything he was around. Experts have even spotted things like cigarette butts, broken glass and even sand! This is a great way to clear through all your leftover paint!! Even old house paint, spray paint, or inks will work. It's all about variety. (Note- I would stay away from things that take a long time to dry like oil based products.)
Pollock moved away from traditional methods and preferred to paint with sticks, trowels, knives, etc. You can use brushes but do not limit yourself to that. It's all about expression. Use that old rusty spatula from the kitchen or the tooth brush your kid used on the dog.
Party Food
Themed food is always a hit. This one's simple – marbled cupcakes with white icing. Have a collection of icing tubes in an array of colors and let your friends 'Pollock' their cupcakes. Throw in some sprinkles for good measure!
Keep the drizzled/splatter theme in mind by drizzling chocolate over fruit of pretzels for a great mid-painting snack break. Roll a cheese ball in chives and nuts to create a two-tone splatter look.
Delicious coffee with white chocolate drizzled on top will make any coffee lover weak at the knees! A great way to make your adult drinks more 'Pollock' is to drizzle dark chocolate on the inside of a clear martini glass and serve delicious white chocolate martinis. Last but not least, if your not a martini person, the art lovers quintessential drink of choice – a good bottle of wine. (Start your splatter painting off right!)
Techniques
There is no real technique for these styles of paintings – just expression. Stand over the painting and let the paint tell you what it wants to be. Drip paint from your sticks and spatulas onto the canvas then pick another of your favorite colors. Pick a color you hate just to see what comes out.
Try using some other medium like salt or old makeup. Go crazy! Tell your friends beforehand to bring all of their unusual painting supplies then pick from a plethora of styles, colors, and textures.
Remember to walk around your painting; see it from every angle, use the colors in the way you feel they look best. Clear your head of everything but your masterpiece. Once you have a thick layer of paint on the canvas, embed charms and other small special objects.
"When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It is only after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I have been about. I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well." – Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock was known for his spontaneous action paintings – the perfect theme for a spontaneous party! You don't have to be artistic to pull off Pollock's style. Try it yourself! Be sure to post pictures of your masterpieces to our Facebook Wall!
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