By DARLA MCCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association
Many of you will immediately recognize this world famous artist, Norman Rockwell. Some of his work was hired by Saturday Evening Post Magazine at payments between $2,000 and $3,000 after he achieved significance. The same Post Cover Originals later sold for sums like $46 million dollars each!
Not only are his original paintings extremely valuable, but there continues to be a lively market for old, good condition magazines bearing his cover art. You can find them for sale today at fairly brisk trading prices on places like eBay. At the time of his cover art the magazine sold for around 10 cents per issue!
Norman Rockwell was a much-revered American illustrator who created charming paintings that almost always told a story. Some of his more famous works revolved around Thanksgiving themes, including one all-time favorite as voted by readers.
A painting titled Thanksgiving appeared on the cover of Literary Digest on Nov. 22, 1919. Rockwell did two Thanksgiving illustrations for this magazine. In Thanksgiving the lady of the house is facing us with a steaming plate of cooked turkey in her arms. The aroma almost comes off the page.
Grace was one of Rockwell’s most moving paintings and was voted the most popular by readers. It was published as the cover on the Saturday Evening Post on Nov. 24, 1951. Pictured are Grandma and grandson impeccably dressed and sharing a table with more worldly types who can’t help but be impressed with the spiritual example they are witnessing. Rockwell was at his best in depicting a story and one can begin to fantasize all kinds of endings for this poignant scene.
Humor was never far from Rockwell in many of his paintings and the scene we view in one of his earliest works called Catch the Turkey was a riot. There were 15 covers done between 1917 and early 1922 for the magazine The Country Gentleman which featured Cousin Reginald, a city boy far out of his element in the country.
Poor Reginald became the butt of many jokes shared by the characters within these 15 ironic covers Rockwell produced for this magazine. Whether Reginald ever again enjoyed a Thanksgiving turkey is left to the viewer.
In Thanksgiving: Mother and Son Peeling Potatoes Rockwell shows the soldier who has gained much experience on KP duty peeling potatoes. He is assisting his delighted mother in preparing the Thanksgiving meal. This gently humorous yet nostalgic work was published November 24, 1945 and celebrates a son returning home and mom’s thankfulness to have him near her.
Rockwell painted numerous other Thanksgiving themed works over the years, but I have shared three lesser known works except for Grace. I hope you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day this frosty November and I hope Rockwell’s work has been an inspiration for you and your family.
Upcoming and Current Events:
Ann Peperak Exhibit continues at Warsaw City Hall Gallery. Free Admission daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Fall Member Art Show and Christmas Boutique now open at Lakeland Art Gallery, Pierceton, 107 Main St. 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Note: several great workshops are available for adults and kids. Call (574) 594-9950 for info.
Artist Forum meets monthly on the last Thursday (except Holidays) at The Bowling Alley.
Lakeland Art Association meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 24, 107 Main St. Pierceton.
Latte Lounge Coffee shop in downtown Warsaw will be hosting a “Caffeine and Canvas” evening on Dec. 6 for a very reasonable cost and promises to be a fun evening for all who attend.
For more information on topics in this column, please contact Darla McCammon at mcdar7@gmail.com or call and leave a message at (574) 527-4044.