I paint life as I would like it to be. 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-onlifetravel 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 typicalamericathinking Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative. Norman Rockwell curioustiredappreciation I just wanted to do something important. Norman Rockwell importantwanted 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 sickdogfeet No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them! Norman Rockwell illustrationfeelingsmen If a picture wasn't going very well, I'd put a puppy in it. Norman Rockwell puppywellsifs 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 differencespeopleart The story is the first thing and the last thing. Norman Rockwell lastsstoriesfirsts 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 uglypaintviews I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to. Norman Rockwell enough-timepaintenough 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 sadnesshumorouscreative Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible. Norman Rockwell capturesawsartist I'm the oldest antique in town. Norman Rockwell antiquestownsartist 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 braingivingideas 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 eyeartistnew-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 lazyevilpeople I'm tired, but proud. Norman Rockwell im-tiredtiredproud Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite. Norman Rockwell artistlongthinking 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 artistcountryyears
