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Norman Rockwell Quotes

Writer

A renowned American painter, illustrator, and writer, Norman Rockwell is known for his depictions of American life. His works typically portray the everyday life of the American middle class, filled with warmth and optimism.

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All Artist Ifs Knows Paint Painting Art I Can Illustrators Kids People Wells Admiring Age Boys Character Circus Enough Expression Firsts Giving

Famous Norman Rockwell Quotes

“Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.”

People Knows Giving Trying Kind Has Beens Art Enough Artist Differences Fine Type Profession Not Sure Call Me Fine Arts Illustrators Fine Artists Best Art

Book:Norman Rockwell: Mini Masterpieces

Source: Norman Rockwell: Mini Masterpieces

“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.”

Knows Art Character Artist Know How Students Expected Anxious Art Students

Author:Norman Rockwell

“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.”

Mind I Can Helping Artist Order Natural Talking Subjects Figures Expression Personality Size

Author:Norman Rockwell

“It wouldn't be right for me to clown around when I'm painting a president.”

Artist President Painting Clown

Author:Norman Rockwell

“The '20s ended in an era of extravagance, sort of like the one we're in now. There was a big crash, but then the country picked itself up again, and we had some great years. Those were the days when American believed in itself. I was happy and proud to be painting it.”

Years Country Bigs Artist Painting Proud Eras Crash Extravagance Great Year

Author:Norman Rockwell

“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.”

Littles Eye Artist Turns Sea Missing New York Europe Towns Farms Discontent Little Towns

Author:Norman Rockwell

“Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.”

Artist Saws Capture

Author:Norman Rockwell

“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.”

Faces Used Artist Actors Sun Mouths Wide Muscles Mobile Expressive Facial

Author:Norman Rockwell

“I didn't know what to expect from a famous movie star; maybe that he'd be sort of stuck-up, you know. But not Gary Cooper. He horsed around so much... that I had a hard time painting him.”

Knows Hard Artist Stars Painting Stuck Hard Times Movie Star Gary Stuck Up

Author:Norman Rockwell

“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.”

“Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite.”

Thinking Long Artist Havens Folks

Author:Norman Rockwell

“I learned to draw everything except glamorous women. No matter how much I tried to make them look sexy, they always ended up looking silly... or like somebody's mother.”

Looks Matter Mother Artist Stupid Draws Sexy Silly Glamorous Sexiness

Author:Norman Rockwell

“I'm the oldest antique in town.”

Artist Towns Antiques

Author:Norman Rockwell

“The remarks about my reaching the age of Social Security and coming to the end of the road, they jolted me. And that was good. Because I sure as hell had no intention of just sitting around for the rest of my life. So I'd whip out the paints and really go to it.”

Ends Age Artist Social Hell Security Sitting Intention Paint Reaching Social Security Remarks Whips Sitting Around End Of The Road

Author:Norman Rockwell

“I can take a lot of pats on the back. I love it when I get admiring letters from people. And, of course, I'd love it if the critics would notice me, too.”

People Ifs I Can Artist Courses Letters Critics Admiring Notice Me

Author:Norman Rockwell

“How will I be remembered? As a technician or artist? As a humorist or a visionary?”

Artist Remembered Visionaries Humorists Technicians

Author:Norman Rockwell

“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.”

Humor Artist Realizing Effort Modern Paris Thank God Discernment Best Effort Matisse

Author:Norman Rockwell

About the Author

Born: February 3, 1894
Died: November 8, 1978
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 44

Books & Sources

Norman Rockwell and the Saturday Evening PostRelated source material

Norman Rockwell's peopleRelated source material

Norman Rockwell, My Adventures as an Illustrator: An AutobiographyRelated source material

Norman Rockwell: Mini MasterpiecesRelated source material

Norman Rockwell: My Adventures As an IllustratorRelated source material

Norman Rockwell: pictures for the American peopleRelated source material

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