Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven’t been around that long. Not quite. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
It wouldn’t be right for me to clown around when I’m painting a president. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
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. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
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 Read Quote
I had a couple of million dollars’ worth of… stock once. And now it’s not worth much more than wallpaper. I guess I just wasn’t born to be rich. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
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. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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. Norman Rockwell Read Quote
