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Norman Rockwell Biography for Kids

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Image of painting of a red head boy sticking his head out the window of a car and below this is a yellow rectangle. In the yellow rectangle are the words "Norman Rockwell Biography for Kids." Below are three more paintings of Norman Rockwell: one of a teenage boy in a white hat and white apron leaning on a counter gazing at two girls who are gazing back at him while a third girl looks on, a picture of the back of a man gazing in a mirror and painting himself on a canvas, and another painting of a group of people looking at a young man who has his back to the viewer while one woman hugs the man.

Hi, folks! My name is Norman Rockwell. I was born in New York City in 1894.

Black and white photo of a man with dark hair smoking a pipe and wearing a checkered jacket and bow tie.
Norman Rockwell

I grew up in a neighborhood where all the boys played sports—all the time! My older brother Jarvis was the best athlete in the neighborhood. Then there was I. I was skinny and couldn’t play sports to save my life.

Illustration of four boys in shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes standing in a circle with their faces close together in an apparent yelling match with the three taller ones pointing their arms and a shorter boy facing them. The boy with his back to the viewer is holding a basketball. This is called Oh Yeah by Norman Rockwell.
Oh Yeah 1951 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

Thankfully, I had my own special talent. I could draw and paint really well. In fact, when I was sixteen I left high school to attend art school at the Chase Art School and eventually at the Students Art League.

Illustration of a red head girl kneeling down playing with marbles while two boys lean over her shoulder and look on - one with a white shirt and red hat and one with black hair and a black and white striped shirt. This is called Marble Champion by Norman Rockwell.
Marble Champion 1939 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)
Illustration of an old man in a hat and gray jacket carrying a basket with a delighted look on his face as he comes up to a snowman with a pipe and the word Granpa written on it behind which a little boy is peeking out. This is called Gramps and the Snowman by Norman Rockwell
Gramps and the Snowman 1919 by Norman Rockwell (Public Domain)

One of my favorite art forms is illustrating. Illustrating is drawing pictures to help tell a story. My first paying job was with the Boy Scouts of America as a staff artist for Boys’ Life magazine in which I drew story illustrations and a magazine cover each month.

Illustration of a boy scout standing by the wheel of a boat with the words in black above it saying Boys' Life. This is called Scout at Ship's Wheel by Norman Rockwell.
Scout at Ship’s Wheel 1913 by Norman Rockwell (Public Domain)

Eventually, I drew pictures for many, many magazines, books and newspapers. I am best known for my drawings that were on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post for years and years.

Illustration of a teenage boy in a black suit and bowler hat with a scowl on his face pushing a baby carriage as he walks past two boys in baseball uniforms, one of whom is lifting his hat in greeting with an expression of mockery on his face. This is called Boy with Baby Carriage by Norman Rockwell.
Boy with Baby Carriage 1916 by Norman Rockwell (Public Domain)
Illustration of the back of a young boy with his arm around a young girl on a bench gazing at a large yellow moon and a dog sitting looking at the viewer by the bench. This is called Romancing the Moon by Norman Rockwell.
Romancing the Moon 1926 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)
Illustration of a teenage boy in a white hat and white apron leaning on a counter gazing at two girls who are gazing back at him while a third girl looks on. Above in blue are the words Saturday Evening Post. This is called The Soda Jerk by Norman Rockwell.
The Soda Jerk 1953 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

My illustrations are almost always of people in real everyday American life.

Painting of a young girl with her hair in braids wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and red plaid skirt with a black eye and big grin on her face, sitting on a bench. Just behind her on the right is the slightly open door with the word Prinicipal on the door and a man sitting at his desk looking out with a surprised look and a teenage boy also looking out. This is called Girl with Black Eye by Norman Rockwell.
Girl with Black Eye 1953 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

At first, I used live models who wore period costumes, and I set up the scene and drew and painted.

Painting of a cowboy with a thick moustache wearing a large cowboy hat and chaps with a vest, plaid shirt and scarf around his neck, sitting with his chin on his hand next to a large phonograph and holding a vinyl record.
Cowboy 1927 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

Later, I had a photographer take a picture for me of the live models and scenes from which to create my drawings.

Painting of a teenage girl in a white slip with her back to the viewer looking at herself in the mirror. The viewer can see her face and reflection in the mirror. On her lap is the black and white photo in a magazine of a beautiful woman. This is called Girl at Mirror by Norman Rockwell.
Girl at Mirror 1954 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

Also, I am very good at telling stories without words. One of my famous illustrations is called “The Doctor and the Doll.” In this picture, you can see a doctor listening to the doll’s heart for the little girl. You can guess from the picture that maybe the girl thinks her doll is sick, or maybe she’s afraid of having a checkup and the doll is going first.

Painting of an old man in a black suit sitting in a wooden chair and looking towards the viewer up to the left. He is wearing a stethoscope in his ears with the end pressed against a doll held out by a young girl standing in front of hem wearing a red beret and plaid skirt. This is called The Doctor and the Doll by Norman Rockwell.
The Doctor and the Doll 1929 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

As you can see, I like making humorous depictions of real life.

Illustration of three boys who are running with a dog past a sign that says No Swimming. The boy in front is looking to the side with his eyes over his shoulder and appears to be wearing nothing but is carrying his clothes to cover his midsection. One of the boys behind him to his left is holding his pants on and has no shirt. The third boy behind him has his shirt on. This is called No Swimming by Norman Rockwell.
No Swimming 1921 by Norman Rockwell (Public Domain)

Some of my humor comes from including myself in some of my illustrations, such as Christmas Homecoming, where I am in the crowd greeting a young man who is coming home for Christmas. See me with my pipe? By the way, I included Grandma Moses, who is famous for her Folk Art, in that picture too!

Painting of a crowd of happy people gathered around a young man in a long coat who is holding a suitcase and packages wrapped with Christmas wrapping paper with his back to the viewer. A woman with yellow sleeves has her arms wrapped around the young man in a hug. The other people look on smiling. This is called Christmas Homecoming by Norman Rockwell.
Christmas Homecoming 1948 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

In my Triple Self Portrait, you will see me looking in the mirror to draw myself,…

Black and white photograph of a man with his back to the viewer and looking in a mirror so the viewer can see his face. The man has dark short hair, is wearing a dark suit and smoking a pipe. Taped to the mirror are two paintings showing this man, Norman Rockwell, painting this very scene.
Photo of Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self Portrait
Painting of a man with his back to the viewer sitting on a stool and wearing khaki pants and a blue long-sleeved shirt. He is leaning to the left and looking into a mirror with a gold frame. The viewer sees his face and that he is smoking a pipe. In front of him is a canvas on which he is drawing a self portrait. At the top of the canvas is a Roman helmet, and pinned on the right side of the canvas are portraits of other artists. This is called Triple Self Portrait by Norman Rockwell.
Triple Self Portrait 1960 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…and hanging off the sides of the canvas are Durer,…

Painting of a man with long curly light brown hair and a short beard wearing a black and white had and a fancey white tunic over which is a brown tunic. In the background is a landscape. This is a self portrait of Albrecht Dürer.
Self Portrait 1498 by Albrecht Dürer (Public Domain)

…Rembrandt,…

Portrait of a man with short dark hair, a dark hat, and a dark suit against a dark background. This is Rembrandt, the Dutch artist.
Self Portrait with Beret and Turned Up Collar 1659 by Rembrandt (Public Domain)

…Picasso,…

Painting of an abstract painting with a red silhouette of a face, eyes and teeth, hair and neck of a woman in random order. This is the painting Bust of a Woman and Self Portrait by Pablo Picasso.
Bust of a Woman and Self Portrait 1929 by Pablo Picasso (Fair Use)

…and Van Gogh.

Painting of a man with red hair and a short red beard wearing a blue suit against a swirling blue background. This is the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh.
Self Portrait 1889 by Vincent van Gogh (Public Domain)

Some of my pictures are more serious too.

Painting of four people around a table in a restaurant. On the right side is an older woman in a black dress and black hat with her hands folded and her head bowed in prayer. With his back to the viewer is a boy sitting in a chair next to the older woman. He also has his head bowed in prayer. On the left side of the table are two young men, watching the older woman and boy pray. Another man is standing behind the two young men and looking over at the older woman too. This is called Saying Grace by Norman Rockwell.
Saying Grace 1951 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

A lot of my paintings are about America and things happening in America during my lifetime, especially after my studio and props burned in 1943.

Image of four paintings by Norman Rockwell. In the top left hand corner is the painting of a man with dark hair and a blue shirt and brown jacket standing up while surrounded by other people who are sitting. Next to him on either side are two older men looking up at him. He seems to be speaking his mind as implied by the title of the painting, which is Freedom of Speech by Norman Rockwell. In the top right hand corner is the painting of the faces of several people looking to the left - people of different skin colors and praying. This is called Freedom to Worship by Norman Rockwell. In the bottom left hand corner is the painting of an older man in a suit and an older woman in a blue dress and white apron placing a large cooked turkey on a platter onto a table where a family is sitting. This is called Freedom from Want by Norman Rockwell. In the bottom right corner is a painting of a woman in a black dress leaning over and tucking two children into a bed while a man in a white shirt and grey pants looks on. This is called Freedom from Fear by Norman Rockwell.
The Four Freedoms 1943 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

I made paintings of important events such as men fighting in the war,…

Painting of WWII soldiers sitting in the back of a convoy truck. This is called William Gillis in Convoy by Norman Rockwell.
William Gillis in Convoy 1943 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)
Image of a painting of the backside of a man in a military uniform who is looking at a brick building with a door at the center out of which a woman with red hair in a red sweater and white is running with her arms open, and two red head girls peaking out next to her. A young red head boy is running down the steps next to them. A man with a pipe is also looking out the door. There is a young woman standing to the side of the building. This is called Homecoming by Norman Rockwell.
Homecoming 1945 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…a young black girl being escorted to school to end segregation,…

Painting of a young African American girl in a white dress and carrying a book following two men in uniform and being followed by more men in uniforms. This is called The Problem We All Live With by Norman Rockwell.
The Problem We All Live With 1964 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…and the moon landing.

Painting of a lunar landing vehicle on the moon with an astronaut in a white astronaut suit climbing down from it. This is called Man on the Moon by Norman Rockwell.
Man on the Moon 1967 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

I also painted portraits of several presidents, such as Dwight Eisenhower,…

Painting of an older man with bluish-green eyes and a receding hairline who is smiling and wearing a tan suit jacket and dark tie. This is President Dwight Eisenhower in a portrait by Norman Rockwell.
Dwight Eisenhower 1952 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…John F. Kennedy,…

Painting of a middle-aged man with brown hair, a square jaw and a half smile wearing a tan suit with a blue tie. This is a portrait of President John F. Kennedy by Norman Rockwell.
John F. Kennedy 1960 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…Lyndon B. Johnson,…

Painting of three views of an older man with a receding hairline and gray hair combed back. He is wearing a tan suit with a dark tie. This is a portrait of Lyndon B. Johnson by Norman Rockwell.
Lyndon B. Johnson 1968 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…and Richard Nixon.

Painting of a man with dark hair and a black suit jacket who is resting his chin on his left hand while his right arm is resting on the top of a red couch. This is a painting of President Richard Nixon by Norman Rockwell.
Richard Nixon 1968 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

In 1977, I won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for my vivid and affectionate portraits of our country!

I lived in Stockbridge, Massachusetts for many years, and today, you can now visit a museum to see my art, the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Photograph of a white building with a red sign in front of it which says, "The Norman Rockwell Museum."
The Norman Rockwell Museum

My paintings have come to be associated with American life,…

Painting of a car facing left showing a family inside in three rows. In the first row is a man driving with a young girl tucked in between a woman at his side. In the second row, a red head boy, dog, and blond girl blowing a bubble with bubble gum are poking their heads out the window of the car. In the third row is another red head boy poking his head out the window and yelling with an older woman looking straight ahead in her seat behind the boy. This is called Going and Coming by Norman Rockwell and is the first painting in the series with this name.
Going and Coming 1947 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)
Painting of a car facing right showing a family inside in three rows. In the first row is a woman asleep with her head against the window with a young girl leaning against her and a man driving and looking straight ahead. In the second row, a red head boy, dog, and blond girl blowing a bubble with bubble gum are poking their heads out the window of the car. In the third row is another red head boy who looks tired and is leaning his head on the window with an older woman looking straight ahead in her seat behind the boy. This is called Going and Coming by Norman Rockwell and is the second painting in the series with this name.
Going and Coming 1947 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)
Painting of a man with dark hair and a blue shirt and brown jacket standing up while surrounded by other people who are sitting. Next to him on either side are two older men looking up at him. He seems to be speaking his mind as implied by the title of the painting, which is Freedom of Speech by Norman Rockwell.
Freedom of Speech 1943 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

…so instead of saying something is “as American as apple pie,” you might say something is “as American as a Norman Rockwell painting!”

Image of an illustration of four boys in white baseball uniforms forming a circle. Three of the boys have their hands on a bat in the middle while the fourth boy has his back towards the viewer with his hands behind his back holding a baseball mitt. This is called Choosin' Up by Norman Rockwell.
Choosin’ Up 1951 by Norman Rockwell (Fair Use)

Here’s what you should remember about me. 
I am Norman Rockwell.
I lived from 1894 to 1978.
I am American illustrator who painted scenes from everyday American life.
I painted humorous depictions of real life.
I am known also for my portraits, Boys’ Life and Saturday Evening Post covers.

Image of a mockup of a computer screen with the image of a man with dark hair wearing a checked brown jacket and bow tie and smoking a pipe next to a green paint swish with the words over it saying, "Investigating Norman Rockwell." Below the main computer screen are pages from the unit study and two sprial bound books. Next to the sprial books are an arrow and the words on the left side which say Teacher Notes and an arrow and the words on the right side which say Student Activity Pack.

Investigate the life and art works of Norman Rockwell in this artist unit study!

I WANT INVESTIGATING ROCKWELL

Watch the video about me too!

More articles from Jus’ Classical:

Rembrandt Biography for Kids
Pablo Picasso Biography for Kids
Albrecht Dürer Biography for Kids
Grandma Moses Biography for Kids
Vincent van Gogh Biography for Kids
Georgia O’Keeffe Biography for Kids
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