A Thrift-Shop Jackson Pollock Masterpiece?

Ex-Trucker Claims She Scored A Multimillion-Dollar Painting For $5

(CBS)  Teri Horton is a 74-year-old retired truck driver with an eighth grade education. She likes to gamble a bit, and now she thinks she has hit the jackpot. Not in a casino, but in the high-stakes world of modern art.

Teri isn’t the kind of person who knows—or cares—much about art. But as CNN's Anderson Cooper reports, she has caused a stir in the upper reaches of the art world because of a painting she bought years ago, a painting she now believes is the work of the famous abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock.

If Teri's painting is by Pollock, it would likely be worth tens of millions of dollars. Not bad, considering she bought it as a gift for a friend and only paid $5 for it in a thrift shop in San Bernardino, Calif.

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"I picked up the canvas and took it up to the lady in the thrift store," Teri remembers. "And I asked her what she wanted for it and she said, 'Oh, give me eight dollars. And I said, 'I love my friend, but I don't love her that much.' So she gave it to me for five. And that's why, how I bought, why I bought it."

Teri, who drove big rigs for 20 years, says she never liked the painting much, and only bought it as a joke. 60 Minutes met her in a New York warehouse where she now stores it.

"We were gonna get the darts and throw at it, but we never got around to it," Teri recalls, laughing. "We got to drinking too much beer and never went in the trailer and got the darts."

The painting was too big to fit through the door of her friend's trailer, so Teri put it in a yard sale, where an art teacher from a nearby college saw it. "He looked at it and he said 'I’m no expert,' he said, 'but this could be a Jackson Pollock.' And that’s when I said 'Who the f--- is Jackson Pollock?'" she remembers.

Asked what he told her, Teri says, "He just started laughing. And he went on to tell me who he was."

Jackson Pollock was, and is, one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. His work was stunningly original and extremely influential; the Museum of Modern Art in New York has devoted a whole room to his paintings.

Pollock made those paintings by dripping, splattering and pouring paint on a canvas. He barely eked by, until those so-called "drip" paintings started to sell in the early 1950s. His reputation continued to grow after he died in 1956 in a drunk-driving accident, and so did the prices for those paintings.

One Pollock work, called "Number 5," recently sold for a record $140 million.

Teri may not know much about art, but after studying Pollock's works, and talking to people, she became convinced her painting was the real thing.

Teri thinks her painting is probably worth around $50 million. "And there are collectors that would love to have it, if they could get the art world to back it," she says.

Getting the art world to back it has been the problem for Teri; very few in the high brow world of art take her seriously.

"They tried to be kind about the names they were calling me, but I still figured out that they thought I was absolutely squirrelly," she says.

Teri the trucker was used to long hauls, and began stirring up so much controversy that a documentary was made about her struggle to win approval for her painting. The film, which has just been released on DVD, was made by Harry Moses, a former producer at 60 Minutes. It is called "Who the #$%& is Jackson Pollock?"

To get an idea of the art world's opinion of Teri's painting, the filmmakers showed it to Thomas Hoving, the legendary former director of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

"My instant impression, which I always write down, you know, the blink, the 100th of a second impression was neat-dash-compacted, which is not good. He wasn’t neat. He wasn’t compacted," Hoving said in the documentary. "It's pretty, it's superficial and frivolous. And I don't believe it’s a Jackson Pollock. It has no appeal. It's dead on arrival. Dead on arrival."

They also showed it to Ben Heller, a collector who bought his first Pollock painting 50 years ago. "I'm looking for the cracks in the, in the paint, and the way the paint is applied. That is, layering of one color on top of another. Makes me uncomfortable. This stuff, it just doesn't, this doesn’t look like a Pollock. Doesn't feel like a Pollock, doesn't sing like a Pollock, doesn't fail like a Pollock," Heller told the filmmakers.

[boredwell]

poo-pooing art peeps.ive known them have been around them.What makes a painting worth $50mil.though i luv jackson it's definitly not worth that amount.NO WAY.master artist aside, very rich connoissieurs and curator/art historians feed on one another.it's an artistphere.domain.seigneurship.call it what you will.they are all in collusion.i luv art and artist but not enough to BELIEVE that Picasso warhol even Rembrant worth that..ah, these cognocienti.#2.provenance.important.yes.hoving's remark "i just don't FEEL it" is a bunch of egoistical BS.another mr poo-poo.hypothethsis.his first paintings start out more controlled, neaterh.he steps back.looks at it.decides the paint should be more fluid, less restrained.even sloppy.giveit edginess.stream of consciousness.chaotic energy.angst.i believe that this canvas could be one of his first.experimental.confined.unsatisfying.precursorto the frenetic,emotional ferociouness we see in his work now.Reexamine it.

[boredwell]

poo-pooing art peeps.ive known them have been around them.What makes a painting worth $50mil.though i luv jackson it's definitly not worth that amount.NO WAY.master artist aside, very rich connoissieurs and curator/art historians feed on one another.it's an artistphere.domain.seigneurship.call it what you will.they are all in collusion.i luv art and artist but not enough to BELIEVE that Picasso warhol even Rembrant worth that..ah, these cognocienti.#2.provenance.important.yes.hoving's remark "i just don't FEEL it" is a bunch of egoistical BS.another mr poo-poo.hypothethsis.his first paintings start out more controlled, neaterh.he steps back.looks at it.decides the paint should be more fluid, less restrained.even sloppy.giveit edginess.almost stream of consciousness.chaotic energy.angst.boredom with tradition.expressive.free.i believe that this canvas could be one of his first.experimental.
confined.and not satisfying.he returns to his shed and BOOM!it hits him.eureka!create something crazy in its freneticim.reexamine ith a clearer, less prejudiced mind. one that jackson would applaud. the brash,unimpeded ferocity of his later work was a progressive process.

[artnairplane]

One of the problems with taking the painting back to the studio as was suggested by some of you is that Pollock is reliably documented as cropping his paintings. It is very likely the case none of the current edges were the original edges as the work was being created.

As to whether the piece is good or bad it isn't really relevant. When you've seen enough of anyones work you sense that there are a couple the artist might like to take back and work on a little more. There are idiosyncratic works (paths never followed to the end) in a body of work as well.

I personally like the fingerprint but the case could use some real forensic science probably focused on the paint if they can get reliable data on other Pollocks, which I bet they can't. Too much is at stake. It would be nice for CBS to link the photo to a larger file.

I stick by the Bio-Morphic drawing also.

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[interested6]

If Jackson Pollck painted this painting is his studio there should be a paint print on the floor. Take photos of the painting by its self then on the floor and of the floor seperate. Then put it on a computer. With computer grapics as they are today it can be done. There should be lines in the paint that line up with colors on the floor and the thickness and angle of the colors of paint on both the floor and the painting. It is like a big jig saw puzzle. There may be a few lines, then there may be many. It can be done if it were painted in his studio.
I think it is a shame that the Art World would pass this off so fast. If it is a true Jackson Polluck what a find after all these years. I hope someone takes my recommendation and tries this process. It can be done don't give up Teri, try this to save a Jackson Polluck!!!!
Good Luck,
Cheryl

[h_j_cannon]

Everyone is missing the real point, no Jackson Pollack is worth more than $5.

[h_j_cannon]

Everyone is missing the real point, no Jackson Pollack is worth more than $5.

[bkglenn1]

I ALSO BOUGHT PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS AT THE LOCAL THRIFT STORE. I PAID TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS FOR THESE. I FOUND OUT THEY WERE DONE BY WILLIAM H DRAKE WHO DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR RUDYARD KIPLINGS THE JUNGLE BOOK, I HAVE HAD THESE SINCE 1980, LIKE YOU I KNOW WHAT THESE ARE WORTH, BUT I CAN'T FIND A BUYER. CALL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO. BRENDA GLENN 501-455-1938
E-MAIL IS [e-mail] I HOPE I HEAR FROM YOU OR ANYONE THAT CAN HELP. THANKS

[bkglenn1]

I ALSO BOUGHT PAINTINGS BY WILLAM H DRAKE, HE DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR RUDYARD KIPLINGS" THE JUNGLE BOOK" I PAID TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS IN THE YEAR 1980 AT A THRIFT STORE. I WOULD TO SELL THESE BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. SINCE THAT I HAVE BOUGHT MANY PAINTINGS AND WATERCOLORS, PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU CAN AND HELP ME FIND A BUYER, LIKE YOU I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WORTH, BRENDA GLENN 501-455-1938
E-MAIL IS [e-mail] I HOPE I HEAR FROM YOU.

[ageneyoung]

What's all this talk I hear about violets on tv? Frankly I think that violets are a very pretty flower. There is absolutely nothing wrong with ...

(pst, hey, that's violence, not violets)

Oh, never mind.

A. Gene Young

[j sims]

/home.earthlink.net/~ronneburg/blue/
a good web site to visit- about lost paintings
thanks jc

[funtimerhk]

On Authentication of a Painting

For the past 7 years we have been trying to further authenticate a painting attributed to Claude Monet. I invite you to review our efforts at www.monet1871.com We are open to suggestions to further authenticate this discovered masterpiece. Your help will be greatly appreciated and rewarded if you can find the buyer. Our site is a definite read for any art enthusiast. Assistance: [e-mail]

[j sims]

i have had my share of rejections.
the best one-
a museum curator visited me
" YOUR PROPOSAL CANT BE TRUE this is 1995 ,they have found all the important paintings, and are in museums"

please visit my website

http://home.earthlink.net/~ronneburg/blue/

all coments welcome
john

[shirlyn3]

There are many black people other there who are well edcuated and established, and believe it or not don't sell or do drugs. They may not get the same opportunities or rights as you, because of their ethnic background, or have had the tools/opportunity to excel or pursue a higher education, but they are hard working and strong. Presently, we are getting more recognition for our accomplishments and what we rightfully deserve and should expect in a democractic country, and if it takes a BLACK DA or a BLACK jury to make it RIGHT...THANK GOD! It had been all WHITE for years so what if the tables turn. Why feel so intimidated or resentful because we are finally being recognized as individuals with rights too? Stop making race and people's background an issue, and stand up for what is right/fair..we are all people trying to survive in the same world.

[kent1o]

Pollack edited carefully before releasing work to the public. He threw a lot of stuff away that simply didn't work out. He could have painted this, but the trouble is it's not very good.

[kent1o]

Pollack edited carefully, but releasing work to the public. He threw lot of stuff away that simply didn't work out. He could have painted this, but the trouble is it's not very good.

[funtimerhk]

On Authentication of a Painting

For the past 7 years we have been trying to further authenticate a painting attributed to Claude Monet. I invite you to review our efforts at www.monet1871.com We are open to suggestions to further authenticate this discovered masterpiece. Your help will be greatly appreciated and rewarded if you can find the buyer. Our site is a definite read for any art enthusiast. Assistance: [e-mail]