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Happy Birthday

...to Norman Rockwell. While some might consider his Boy Scout and Saturday Evening Post covers corny, he was capable of pulling out a single moment in everyday life and freezing it beautifully. He and his two wives suffered from severe depression, but he was determined to show the better side of life.

Interesting fact: (from Wikipedia)

During the First World War, he tried to enlist into the U.S. Navy but was refused entry because, at 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and 140 pounds (64 kg), he was eight pounds underweight. To compensate, he spent one night gorging himself on bananas, liquids and donuts, and weighed enough to enlist the next day. However, he was given the role of a military artist and did not see any action during his tour of duty.


Comments

dive said…
Happy Birthday, Norm!

I'm a great fan of Rockwell's work. I've got a fabulous book of his stuff (one of those annoyingly large art gallery books that don't fit on regular shelves).
Sure, he's downhome and corny, but his paintings were the stuff of my childhood, so I love 'em.

Nice reminder, Robyn.
10:12 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
Nice tribute Robyn, to an era gone by. An American Icon for sure
10:41 AM
Ame said…
Love Rockwell...he's an institution! STAY WARM ROBYN!

Post pix when ya can!
;)
1:23 PM
Ms Mac said…
Yeah, I'm capable of putting on 8lbs overnight without even trying. Beat that Norm!

Oh and Happy Birthday too.
2:05 PM
Old Knudsen said…
I like his stuff, I wonder why you have to be fit and healthy and the right weight to go off and die fer yer cuntry.
3:35 PM
Sassy Sundry said…
I'm not a big fan of Norman Rockwell, but I do like a few of his paintings.
8:01 AM
Sassy Sundry said…
Oh, and I could have given him weight-gaining advice.
8:01 AM
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said…
Hmm no good ever comes from eating doughnuts.
12:49 PM
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