Norman Rockwell Accomplishments

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but maybe they are worth far more than that. Pictures, although seemingly simple in nature, are extremely complex. Far too often, people overlook what a picture truly is. When a person looks at an image, they most likely see only the image, nothing else. Many people do not look deep enough into an image to fully comprehend the true meaning of it. However, when an individual begins to truly study an image in an attempt to understand the true complexity of it, they will be surprised at what they overlooked before. As stated by French Realist Painter, Gustave Courbet, “Fine art is knowledge made visible.”

The Crocker art museum held and exhibition titled the “American Chronicles the Art of Norman Rockwell” Within this exhibition held Rockwell’s captivating work. One of Rockwell’s best pieces is “The Problem We All Live With”. It is done with oil and sets upon a canvas. The atmospheric space of the people within the panting, makes it clean and sets attention to the appropriate subject matter. The painting from a far may come off as simple; yet when you take a closer look you notice the small details that really pull the painting together. The colors are quite bland yet appropriate for the current setting. With many paintings there tends to be symbolism; and with this painting it is very clear. The content contains an image the first African-American child to attend a recent de-segregated school. Beyond the girl and her U.S marshall escorts you see tomatoe smudges from tomatoes being thrown and racial slurs written on the wall. The simplicity of the photo is so beautiful with such a raw and captivating message. Letting his work not only have his work hold history; but also tell a story. With implied lines guiding your eyes to different areas within the painting exposing more and more.

Pictures are everywhere, but their meaning is what makes them powerful. Conversely, a man, Norman Rockwell created four works of propaganda posters during WWII known as The Four Freedoms to boost the war effort, persuade Americans to purchase war bonds, and represent the American identity. Prior to making the four works of art, Rockwell was an illustrator and painter who illustrated covers for magazines primarily for The Saturday Evening Post, a magazine famous American company which circulated the Middle class. However, The four Freedoms collection is what strengthens his influence in American society. Norman Rockwell successfully convinces Americans during WWII to purchase war bonds. In addition, Rockwell also successfully represents the American identity through his work of art.

I drew inspiration from the creative indigenous cultures and the drama of the scenery. I painted many impressionist works of art during our travels. On our journey back we traveled through Santa Fe. On this journey I made contact with the artist community within the Museum of Mexico.

| a celebration of the genius that enabled certain people to convey profound insights through art.

Norman rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City. By the age of 14 he was already enrolled in the art classics. In 1910 he had left high school to study his favorite thing art. Over time when he was there he learned technical skills that he would need over his long career.

However, our trip did not last countless hours as I looked over 30 paintings in about twenty five minutes. This was not due to my lack of interest, but more to my novice mindset towards art. Art is similar to most skill activities in that people that are active in said activity can better understand and articulate the small actions that lead to a great piece of art, a great football play, or a great movie. I am embarrassed to say that I did not pay close enough attention to the intricacies of my dad's art, but I accepted to write these articles in hopes I could learn more about my dad's favorite past time.

Pablo Picasso, although usually known as just Picasso. His full name though is actually: Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso. His signature is worth more than some of his paintings. In fact in some restaurants he just drew a quick face and then signed it (when he was famous). He was one of the most well known people in the 20th century. He was born in 25th of October 1881 in Malaga, Spain, and then died on the 8th of April 1973 Mougins, France. He was a: painter, drawing, sculpture, print making, and ceramics.

When I attend the Oklahoma Art Museum this morning, I was completely blown away by the different styles, technique, and artistic abilities that artist have. Art can come in many forms and can involve many different things. From paintings, sculptures, and abstract pieces of the modern world. Along with my visit, I got to experience a new collection of blown glass that was absolute remarkable. As I walked though the museum, it was as I walked though time and got to see how each period’s art changed throughout time. From the different shades of color to the different types of technique that filled the halls of the Oklahoma City Art Museum, each piece was genuine in its own way. I was starstruck as I witnessed Lowell Nesbitt’s Parrot Tulip, Richard Diebenkorn’s Albuquerque, and Dale Chihuly’s blown glass.

John Singer Sargent, an American artist, is regarded as the greatest portrait painter of the early 1900’s. Sargent, like many prominent artists, was exposed to art at a young age. He was encouraged by both parents, who were artist themselves, to draw. This led to his acceptance into École des Beaux-Art School at the age of eighteen. There he was able to study under great artists of that time and his new found love for portraits birthed his career.

“Writers and travelers are mesmerized alike by knowing of their destinations,” (Welty 44). These words written by Eudora Welty are relatable to me because I understand the awe and mesmeration that writers and travelers feel by knowing of their destinations. This is true when talking about a long car ride to a favorite vacation spot. In the car, you are constantly dreaming about your destination and counting down the hours til you get there. I love to create art and to paint, so this quote is relatable in this aspect because at the beginning of a work of art you have a vision of the final product, of your destination. Throughout the whole process, you work toward creating this finished piece that you’ve envisioned from the beginning. Finally,

Vincent then attended preparatory classes with intense lessons of Dutch, German, French, and English along with the traditional array of math and science courses. Yet for reasons unknown, in March of 1868, Vincent returned to his home in Zundert. His boyhood came to a close in July of 1869 when he joined the art business as a dealer for Goupil & Co. This was a family tradition, as three of his uncles, including one also by the name of Vincent, were also art dealers. Vincent’s brother Theo would also become an art dealer four years after him. As a young child, Vincent was not known for his own creation of art. Though his family made a great impact on his view of dealing art, he was not an art prodigy like other famous arts such as Henri de Toulous-Lautrec and Pablo Picasso were. While a handful of his drawings between the ages of eight and ten have survived, he did not truly take a serious interest in creating art until he was twenty-seven. (Hulsker & Miller, 5-14)

The Problem We All Live With” was the first painting purchased by Norman Rockwell Museum in 1975. The painting has come to serve as an important symbol of civil rights, and Museum Trustee Ruby Bridges’ historic journey. The painting with is directly showed the prejudice and people being affected with this negative and harmful politics..

Throughout the vast history of art, historians can find connections throughout the centuries. Artists from the beginning of humankind have been inspired by the world around them. From the Apollo 11 stones to present day, history and culture have provided inspiration and have been the focus of various pieces. Examining artwork from the 15th-18th century, viewers can be shown a whole world that would be unknown to us without these artist’s contributions. History, religion, and cultural events have sculpted the art world, and we can observe this through many pieces during the 15th-18th centuries.

“Painting today is pure intuition and luck and taking advantage of what happens when you splash the stuff down. “- Francis Bacon. However when I learnt more about history of art and the way each movement and happenings in the world inspired artist to make new works, I was able to see much more than just a canvas with random paints and sketches. The interesting part about this concept is that each piece of art could be interpreted in many different ways. In contemporary art there isn’t right and wrong, each of us view and find different meanings and connections with artworks.