If there was sadness in this creative world of mine, it was a pleasant sadness. If there were problems, they were humorous problems. Norman Rockwell More Quotes by Norman Rockwell More Quotes From 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. Norman Rockwell moving-on life travel 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 typical america thinking I paint life as I would like it to be. Norman Rockwell paint Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative. Norman Rockwell curious tired appreciation I just wanted to do something important. Norman Rockwell important wanted If a picture wasn't going very well I'd put a puppy dog in it, always a mongrel, you know, never one of the full bred puppies. And then I'd put a bandage on its foot... I liked it when I did it, but now I'm sick of it. Norman Rockwell sick dog feet No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them! Norman Rockwell illustration feelings men If a picture wasn't going very well, I'd put a puppy in it. Norman Rockwell puppy wells ifs 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. Norman Rockwell differences people art The story is the first thing and the last thing. Norman Rockwell lasts stories firsts The view of life I communicate in my pictures excludes the sordid and ugly. I paint life as I would like it to be. Norman Rockwell ugly paint views I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to. Norman Rockwell enough-time paint enough Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible. Norman Rockwell capture saws artist I'm the oldest antique in town. Norman Rockwell antiques towns artist I know of no painless process for giving birth to a picture idea. When I must produce, I retire to a quiet room with a supply of cheap paper and sharp pencils; my brain knows it's going to take a beating. Norman Rockwell brain giving ideas 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. Norman Rockwell eye artist new-york The Balopticon [a machine that projects photos on canvas to trace the lines] is an evil, inartistic, habit-forming, lazy and vicious machine! It also is a useful, time-saving, practical and helpful one. I use one often-and am thoroughly ashamed of it. I hide it whenever I hear people coming. Norman Rockwell lazy evil people I'm tired, but proud. Norman Rockwell im-tired tired proud Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite. Norman Rockwell artist long thinking 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. Norman Rockwell artist country years
