Pollock - artistic merit opinions needed.?

I am rushed for time, and i really don't know how good/ helpful I'm going to be with this:

PAINTING 1

Originality:

This has a lot of similarities that i can see to Van Gogh in the way that the landscape curves and with the texture created by the brush strokes (seen particularly in the brown sector).

Skill:

Pollock was not a hugely skilled painter.

Meaning:

I have no idea.

Beauty:

It has a nice, whimsical feel to it. The autumnal colours of the land blend well. The curved lines make the landscape look organic.

Emotion:

The use of colour is dull, which makes the entire piece give off the feeling of a dull, grey day.

PAINTING 2:

Originality:

Highly original. I believe that Pollock was the first to do something like this.

Skill:

Not too much skill required, but his painting techniques are extremely interesting none the less.

Meaning:

Chaos? What is art?

Beauty:

I really love it. Looks really great in person (remember we saw it not last day but the year before with the then studio art students)

Emotion:

Chaotic. Busy.

Verdict:

I love it. It is art. It is innovative.

I'm not sure why you are so disparaging towards poor ol' Camille... he was an acknowledged prodigy, some say right Mozart and Mendelssohn! You are right about "Phaeton" though... it doesn't deserve its current level of obscurity, but I feel this is more a function of its form rather than limited inspiration. There are other works of similar vintage and style that are also rather overlooked - Dvorak's Symphonic Poems such as "The Golden Spinning Wheel" for example. Phaeton is a wonderful piece and I am so glad you have brought attention to it. (Youtube is great for that isn't it?)

the first painting was of course not the style Pollock was known for, he painted in this style while studying under Benson, which is easily seen (much like early modigliani looks like his mentor's work, Brancusi)

his later art is 90% creation 10% completion. What was important was the way he painted, it was all about movement, rthym, using a wide brush as an extension of his body to create forms. when viewing it you shouldn't focus on any one point/detail but let your eyes go out of focus a little and let it envelope you (huge scale painting encourages this--much like rothko's work)