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" It wouldn't be right for me to clown around when I'm painting a president. "

Norman Rockwell

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" It was a pretty rough neighborhood where I grew up The really tough places were over around Third Avenue where it ran into the Harlem River, but we weren't far away. "

Norman Rockwell

" 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

" You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression. "

Norman Rockwell

" 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

" The remarks about my reaching the age of Social Security and coming to the end of the road, they jolted me. And that was good. Because I sure as hell had no intention of just sitting around for the rest of my life. So I'd whip out the paints and really go to it. "

Norman Rockwell

" No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them! "

Norman Rockwell

" I'm the oldest antique in town. "

Norman Rockwell

" Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite. "

Norman Rockwell

" I'm not going to be caught around here for any fool celebration. To hell with birthdays! "

Norman Rockwell

" Things aren't much wilder now, I don't think, than they were back then. Of course I just read about all the goings-on now. Ha. "

Norman Rockwell

" 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

" A face in the picture would bother me, so I'd rub it out with the turpentine and do it over. "

Norman Rockwell

" My best efforts were some modern things that looked like very lousy Matisses. Thank God I had the sense to realize they were lousy, and leave Paris. "

Norman Rockwell

" 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

" 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

" 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

" Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible. "

Norman Rockwell

" I'm tired, but proud. "

Norman Rockwell

" Here in New England, the character is strong and unshakable. "

Norman Rockwell

" Very interesting for an old duffer like me to try his hand at something new. If I don't do that once in a while, I might just turn into a fossil, you know! "

Norman Rockwell

" The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back. "

Norman Rockwell

" I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to. "

Norman Rockwell

" 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

" I can take a lot of pats on the back. I love it when I get admiring letters from people. And, of course, I'd love it if the critics would notice me, too. "

Norman Rockwell

" I talk as I sketch, too, in order to keep their minds off what I'm doing so I'll get the most natural expression I can from them. Also, the talking helps to size up the subject's personality, so I can figure out better how to portray him. "

Norman Rockwell