Pictured is a painting of a clock by Norman Rockwell.

By Darla McCammon

The clock is universally recognized when we think of the New Year. Have you made your resolutions yet? The clock painting reminds us of passing time and our wish to stretch it. Do you recognize the work of the artist who painted it? Most Americans will recognize the work of artist Norman Rockwell. He captured the pulse of the normal and ordinary in our country and pointed out how extraordinary it really was. He showed us the silliness of the sophisticated and “elite” looking down their noses at the simple common sense that far surpassed that blind intellect of those ego-encrusted snobs.

We’ve all been around someone who sees themselves as one of the educated elite, and though we value those who are educated and remain humble, we shake our heads at the ego of others. Rockwell courageously pointed out the hypocrisy with his rich and hearty laughter and his incredible work that always told us a story.

Think about it. I believe most art does attempt to tell us a tale or portray an emotion. Sometimes the artist just wants to shock us. What does this painting say? Norman Rockwell is recognized as one of America’s most beloved artists and did several works referencing the passing of time. A beautiful illustration by Rockwell finished in the 1920s was an ad for the Elgin Watch Company. The original ad sold for $250,000 after Rockwell’s death.

Rockwell was born in New York in 1894 and died at age 84 in November of 1978 at Stockbridge, Mass. Rockwell understood human nature very well and it was portrayed vividly in his work. He is credited with painting over 4,000 original works of art but not all of them have survived due to fires and accidental losses. Some of his most famous projects were “Rosie the Riveter,” “Four Freedoms,” Willie Gillis,” and “The Problem We All Live With.” He was awarded the Presidential medal of Freedom, illustrated over 40 books, did presidential portraits of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon and painted ads for Coca-Cola and other commercial enterprises.

You can read more about Rockwell by getting a copy of the autobiography titled “My Adventures As An Illustrator.” This was created with the help of his son following the unexpected death of his wife Mary from a heart attack.

With a reminder that we should value our precious time, I hope you and yours have a very wonderful and blessed New Year in 2019 and the future.

Upcoming and Current Events

Please contact Darla at (574) 527-4044 or at [email protected] if you have an event to mention.

• The gallery at Rua will be on display through Jan. 12, 2019, at 108 E. Market St., featuring Nate and Jeanie Skages with their “Resurrexi-Making Medieval Modern” exhibit. It demonstrates an amazing use of technology and printmaking techniques in the creative process.
• The Mary Alice Estep exhibit will go in on Jan. 4, 2019, at the Warsaw City Hall art gallery. The artist is deceased but had a great impact on the art community of Kosciusko County and northern Indiana. Come and see the paintings on loan featuring her work.