 |
| Triple self-portrait by Norman Rockwell |
by Marilyn Turk
*Leave a comment and your email
for a chance to win a new book!
I’ve always loved Norman Rockwell’s
painting. To me, they tell stories of America in the best light with few
exceptions. Small town life with baseball games, children playing, family
dinners, town meetings, the local diner—all came to life with his brushstrokes.
In his own words,
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.
Rockwell always wanted to be an artist, and when he was 19, he was hired for his first job as art director for Boys Life, the magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. When Rockwell's tenure began with The Saturday Evening Post in 1916, he left his position at Boys Life, but continued to include scouts in Post cover images and the monthly magazine of the American Red Cross.
A scout is kind.
In 1926, he
resumed work with the Boy Scouts with production of his first of
fifty-one original illustrations for the official Boy Scouts of America annual
calendar. His last commission for the Boy Scouts of America was a
calendar illustration entitled The Spirit of 1976, which was completed when Rockwell was 82.
His work with the Post lasted until 1963, a span of almost fifty years, producing 321
cover drawings for the magazine. During those years, Rockwell showed what
America experienced through wartime, and the patriotism the country shared. His
famous cover of Rosie the Riveter showed the role women played during World War
II when they took jobs formerly performed by men so the men could go to war.
Rosie the Riveter
In 1943, during World War II, Rockwell painted the Four
Freedoms, which was completed in seven months and resulted in his losing
fifteen pounds. The series was inspired by a speech by Franklin D.
Roosevelt, wherein Roosevelt described and articulated Four
Freedoms for universal rights. Rockwell then painted Freedom from Want, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of
Worship, and Freedom from Fear.
One reason I like Rockwell’s painting so much are the facial expressions on the people. His brush truly captured the character. As he said,
If you are
interested in the characters you draw and understand them and love them, why,
the people who see your picture are bound to feel the same way.
As a writer, I can relate to this statement because I
want to write my characters so that my readers will understand them as much as
I do.
 |
| "Going and Coming" - Doesn't this show the true feelings of going on vacation and coming back? |
Space does not allow me to cover more of Rockwell’s
work, a lifetime that produced more than 4,000 pieces of art. I personally have
many favorites as well. What is your favorite Rockwell painting?
*Enter a comment with your email for a chance to win a copy of Rekindled Light.
The war destroyed their engagement. Misunderstandings keep them
apart. Will a mysterious arsonist be the only one fanning a flame or can their
love be rekindled?
The war destroyed their engagement. Misunderstandings keep them
apart. Will a mysterious arsonist be the only one fanning a flame or can their
love be rekindled?
Historical
fiction flavored with suspense and romance
Multi-published
author Marilyn Turk calls herself a “literary archaeologist,” because she loves
to discover stories hidden in history. Her World War II novel, The Gilded Curse, won a Silver Scroll
award. When readers asked what happened to the characters after the book,
Marilyn wrote the sequel, Shadowed by a
Spy. Her four-book Coastal Lights Legacy series—Rebel Light, Revealing
Light, Redeeming Light, and Rekindled Light—feature Florida lighthouse
settings. Marilyn’s novella, The
Wrong Survivor, is in the Great Lakes
Lighthouse Brides collection. She has also written a book of devotions
called Lighthouse Devotions and writes
for Daily Guideposts.
She lives in the
panhandle of Florida where she and her husband enjoy boating, fishing, and
playing tennis when time permits (and it’s below 100 degrees).
Website: @http://pathwayheart.com
Email:
marilynturkwriter@yahoo.com
Marilyn I love Rockwell too. Two of my favorites are his self-portrait and the one where a little boy is getting a shot from the doctor. As you say the facial expression are priceless. I wonder if there is a book available of all his artwork. I've seem on with a collection in it. Thanks for sharing. The book your offering sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThere is a book because I have it. In fact some of the information I used to write this post came from it. I'm not home right now so I can't remember the exact title. It was published in the 1980's.
DeleteThanks for the post, and the reminder of Norman Rockwell. I love his work. I don't know that I have a favorite, but I just love the spirit of his pictures and how you can make up a story by looking at his paintings. Thanks for the giveaway as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie. Yes, the spirit of his pictures is so unique.
DeleteThis is a great post, Marilyn. I do love looking at Norman Rockwell's paintings. They evoke such feelings of warmth and nostalgia. I'm not sure if I have one favorite, but I have always liked the one you posted above, where the doctor is listening to the doll's "heart" for the little girl. I always thought that was sweet. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen, I agree. He seemed to show the endearing side of America.
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I couldn't wait to go to my grandmother's on Sunday to see what Rockwell had done on the cover of the post. I was always interested in art---and his eyes' view of the world was one even a child could relate too. “The Problem We All Live With,” depicting the tiny African American girl being escorted to school---so explained to my northern psyche the actual struggle taking place in America in the 1960's. Why was everyone angry and protesting. His paintings have had a profound effect all through my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Sandi. Yes, when he went to work with Life magazine, his paintings became more in tune with current events of the 60's. The little girl showing integration is one of those and speaks volumes.
DeleteI like the scouting one. It reminds me of my dad who was a coon hunter and had dogs all his life.
ReplyDeleteLinda - rayorr (at) bellsouth (dot) net
There were a lot of scouting pictures. Wish I could have shared more of them. Maybe you could google them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the information on Norman Rockwell Marilyn, I learned a lot about him thanks to you, and I really love his paintings. aliciabhaney@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteHis Licha. Thanks for reading the post and responding!
DeleteI love his work, too. Thank you. teshaw(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net
ReplyDeleteHi Tammie. Thanks for reading the post and responding!
DeleteI enjoy Norman Rockwell's work. Each piece shares a unique story.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa,
DeleteGood to meet another of his fans.
I enjoy Norman Rockwell's Work. The going and coming from vacation I see at our chiropractor office. A couple of favorite ones hung in the medical office I was first employed in--the boy getting a shot and the doctor listening to the young girl's doll. His work are an expression of life focusing on the true meaning of giving/sharing with others.
ReplyDeleteI do not need to be included in your giveaway, Marilyn. I have read and reviewed all your books to date. I love your Christian historical fiction filled with history, mystery, action, romance and faith.
Thanks, Marilyn R. I appreciate your comment and your support of my books!
ReplyDelete