Bischoff, who in 1976 told Paul Karlstrom: “I’m still supporting myself by teaching,” had only two one man shows before his first New York show at Staempfli Gallery in 1960, including a 1955 show at the Paul Kantor Gallery in Los Angeles from which nothing sold. In contrast, leading artists in New York benefitted from a booming art market. For example, Willem de Kooning’s 1959 New York show sold out on the first day, bringing in about $150,000 (about $1.2 million dollars today, when adjusted for inflation).
Of course, de Kooning was a sensation, but many other New York artists sold well while California artists struggled. In this situation, decently paying teaching jobs were a rare and precious commodity. When it was rumored in 1955 that David Park had been offered $10,000 per year to teach at UC Berkeley, artist Nathan Oliveira – who at the time was earning $2.50 per hour teaching art 18 hours per week – thought that Park had been given “the opportunity of a lifetime.” As it turns out, Park’s actual starting annual salary was $5,300.00.
Elmer Bischoff Seated Figure in Garden 1958 Oil on canvas 47 ¾ × 56 3/4in. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York
“Abstract means literally to draw from or separate. In this sense every artist is abstract for he must create his own work from his visual impressions. A realistic or non-objective approach makes no difference. The result is what counts.” — Richard Diebenkorn
Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) Ocean Park No.121 1980 oil on canvas 78¼ x 78 3/8 in. Price realised USD 7,698,500
“I have found that in accepting and immersing myself in subject matter I paint with more intensity and that the ‘hows’ of painting are more inevitably determined by the ‘whats’.” — David Park
David Park (1911-1960) Two Heads 1959 oil on canvas 24 x 26 in. Price realised USD 1,022,500
“The job of the artist is to make the world visible.”
David Park (1911-1960) Boy in Striped Shirt signed and dated ‘Park 59’ (upper left); titled ‘BOY IN STRIPED SHIRT’ (on the overlap) oil on canvas 50 x 36 in. (127 x 91.4 cm.) Painted in 1959. Price realised USD 1,323,750
Is attending art school necessary to become an artist?
Jean-Michel Basquiat did not attend formal art school. Instead, he was largely self-taught and became known as part of the street art scene in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He gained prominence through his graffiti work under the pseudonym “SAMO” and later transitioned to more formal art settings, becoming a major figure in the neo-expressionist movement. His raw talent, distinctive style, and bold commentary on issues such as race and class distinguished him as a powerful force in contemporary art without traditional academic training.
Andy Warhol did receive formal art education. He studied commercial art at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1949 with a degree in pictorial design. His education and subsequent work as a commercial illustrator greatly influenced his later artistic style and approach, particularly in his role as a leading figure of the Pop Art movement. Warhol’s use of mass production techniques, celebrity culture, and commercial imagery are often attributed to his early professional experiences and training.
Jackson Pollock did attend formal art school. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, where he was taught by Thomas Hart Benton, a leading American regionalist painter. Benton’s focus on rhythmic and dynamic compositions influenced Pollock’s early work, although Pollock later developed his unique style, breaking away from his mentor’s realism. Pollock became known for his groundbreaking drip and action painting techniques, making him one of the most significant figures in abstract expressionism.
David Hockney attended art school and had a formal education in the arts. He studied at the Bradford College of Art in his hometown in England and later attended the Royal College of Art in London. Hockney gained recognition during his time at the Royal College, becoming a leading figure in the British Pop Art movement. His formal training helped him experiment with various media and styles, making him one of the most versatile and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
FYI: I love sharing my favorite artists not just for inspiration but also to educate about their creative processes and thoughts. It’s fascinating to see how some artists still believe that only realism qualifies as fine art, overlooking other forms. I wonder what kind of art history they’re being taught in their school.
“I have found that in accepting and immersing myself in subject matter I paint with more intensity and that the ‘hows’ of painting are more inevitably determined by the ‘whats’.” — David Park
David Park (1911-1960) Two People in White 1957 oil on canvas 24 x 32 in. Price realised USD 378,000
There are conspiracy theories suggesting the CIA supported abstract expressionism during the Cold War to showcase artistic freedom in contrast to Soviet realism. While there’s some historical connection, the idea that modern art was a “weapon” is debated among scholars, and evidence supporting a deliberate strategy is limited.
