Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was more than just a very popular painter and illustrator for a good half of the 20th century. He also accomplished, throughout all of his work, what I think artists (even a portrait painter) are supposed to do.
Artists should inspire people. For example, the breathtaking figures that Michelangelo sculpted lifted all who saw them to an aesthetic plane—even today. Another example involves the people of France who amazingly gave the people of the United States of America an enormous sculpture. We displayed it in our harbor to welcome immigrants. The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel. That piece of art became an icon of freedom. And still is. Such is the never-to-be underestimated, far-reaching power of aesthetics.
Now, here, just in the last century, from 1916 to 1963, Norman Rockwell’s whole body of paintings encouraged us. He invited us with charm and wit to imagine and even believe that we could bring back a quality of life that we thought was gone forever. One looked at the story that each painting told and was 
captivated into thinking “this is possible”. Remember 1929’s “Doctor and Doll,” for example? Remember the little girl holding her doll while the benevolent country doctor listened at its chest for its heartbeat?
The American public were delighted by his message-packed paintings for decades, mostly through magazine covers. During 4 of those decades, more than once a month there was a Saturday Evening Post cover with one of his paintings on it, 332 in all. He even showed himself as a portrait painter at times.
Later on, continued traveling exhibitions of his work have kept his paintings in our minds. In addition to that, over 100,000 people visit the Norman Rockwell Museum each year in Stockbridge, Mass.
And to think that I am his cousin. 
It humbles me. It also makes me very proud. He said he wanted to paint life like he thought it should be. I’ve actually taken that same message to heart in my own way. I imbue my paintings with as much aesthetics as possible to show the glory of each of my subjects. I want to encourage every viewer of my portraits to realize how wonderful we each are — you too.
Please keep me in mind when you want a dose of inspiration from seeing your loved ones portrayed in paint. I’d love to be the portrait painter to help you make that dream come true.
Related posts from the portrait painter:
- Norman Rockwell’s Legacy
- Comparative Painting Procedures of Norman Rockwell and Jessica Rockwell
- Norman Rockwell Traveling Exhibit Shows in Tampa
- My Cousin Norman Rockwell
- A Favorite Oil Painting by Norman Rockwell
