Early Life and Influences – A Pittsburgh Boy’s Artistic Awakening Paul Jackson Pollock, born Paul Wilhelm Pollak on January 28, 1912, in Cody, Wyoming, was the youngest of five children in a family rooted in Iowa. His parents, LeRoy and Stella May Pollock, were of Irish and Scots-Irish descent, immigrants who had settled in Tingley, Iowa, seeking opportunity. This humble beginning, far removed from the bustling art world of New York City, would profoundly shape his artistic trajectory. Early exposure to the values instilled by his family – a strong work ethic and an appreciation for craftsma…