One of America's best artists, Norman Rockwell is very well known for his illustrations of simple, everyday life in middle America during the 20th century. Born in NYC on February 3rd, 1894, Rockwell knew from an early age that he wanted to be an artists and attended The National Academy of Design and then The Art Students League. His talents were recognized even as a teenager and he was hired as the art director ofBoy's Life, the magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Rockwell continued on to create many covers for magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Life, Judge, and Leslie's. In 1917, he enlisted in the navy (during the time of WWI) and worked on the camp newspaper, constantly painting and drawing. Over the course of his life, Norman Rockwell was married three times and had three children. Although he had such a distinct style, the American people could (and still can) really relate to all of his pieces. He often took an everyday event and put a twist of humor in it. Rockwell appreciated the joy in life's simplest moments, and was able to capture that in his art. Today, he's known as such an icon that one could say, "It's as American as baseball, apple pie, and Norman Rockwell."
"Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed. My fundamental purpose is to interpret the typical American. I am a story teller." -Norman Rockwell
Four Freedoms Collection
Inspired by the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt describing the essential four freedoms, Rockwell decided to make one painting representing each freedom. The series was extremely popular and was sold by the federal government to make $132,922,539 worth of bands in support of the war effort.
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Check out the Norman Rockwell Museum!
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Words of an Artist- Norman Rockwell
A face in the picture would bother me, so I'd rub it out with the turpentine and do it over.
Eisenhower had about the most expressive face I ever painted, I guess. Just like an actor's. Very mobile. When he talked, he used all the facial muscles. And he had a great, wide mouth that I liked. When he smiled, it was just like the sun came out.
Everyone in those days expected that art students were wild, licentious characters. We didn't know how to be, but we sure were anxious to learn.
Here in New England, the character is strong and unshakable.
I talk as I sketch, too, in order to keep their minds off what I'm doing so I'll get the most natural expression I can from them. Also, the talking helps to size up the subject's personality, so I can figure out better how to portray him.
I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to.
I'm the oldest antique in town. My best efforts were some modern things that looked like very lousy Matisses. Thank God I had the sense to realize they were lousy, and leave Paris.
Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite.
The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.
Very interesting for an old duffer like me to try his hand at something new. If I don't do that once in a while, I might just turn into a fossil, you know!
When I go to farms or little towns, I am always surprised at the discontent I find. And New York, too often, has looked across the sea toward Europe. And all of us who turn our eyes away from what we have are missing life.
You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.
Eisenhower had about the most expressive face I ever painted, I guess. Just like an actor's. Very mobile. When he talked, he used all the facial muscles. And he had a great, wide mouth that I liked. When he smiled, it was just like the sun came out.
Everyone in those days expected that art students were wild, licentious characters. We didn't know how to be, but we sure were anxious to learn.
Here in New England, the character is strong and unshakable.
I talk as I sketch, too, in order to keep their minds off what I'm doing so I'll get the most natural expression I can from them. Also, the talking helps to size up the subject's personality, so I can figure out better how to portray him.
I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to.
I'm the oldest antique in town. My best efforts were some modern things that looked like very lousy Matisses. Thank God I had the sense to realize they were lousy, and leave Paris.
Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite.
The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.
Very interesting for an old duffer like me to try his hand at something new. If I don't do that once in a while, I might just turn into a fossil, you know!
When I go to farms or little towns, I am always surprised at the discontent I find. And New York, too often, has looked across the sea toward Europe. And all of us who turn our eyes away from what we have are missing life.
You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.