sophie's fair

Artworks (c) Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell [American Illustrator, 1894-1978]

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: One entry found for illustrate.
Pronunciation: 'i-l&s-"trAt also i-'l&s-
Function: verb
Etymology: Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrare, from in- + lustrare to purify, make bright
1 obsolete a : ENLIGHTEN b : to light up
2 a : archaic: to make illustrious b : obsolete (1) : to make bright (2) : ADORN
3 a : to make clear : CLARIFY b : to make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance c : to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate
4 : to show clearly : DEMONSTRATE
intransitive senses : to give an example or instance

illustrators depict our lives. they capture our imagination, and expose the very core of our souls embellishing a little with every stroke. i have great admiration for these extraordinary artists who colour our world with their creativity.
norman rockwell's artworks move me. when i came across his paintings, i imagined him to be warm and sensitive. i dont know if it's just me but when i look at a painting, i also see the person behind the masterpiece. art may not be everyone's cup of tea but rockwell's immortalized characters could command attention even from the most critical observer. his illustrations were the highlights of the saturday evening post for over 40 years. he also worked for other notable periodicals like judge, collier's, st nicholas, life and look. we see the heartfelt humour and innocence of bygone days, at times wishing that the world's still just as simple.
some of rockwell's works [that caught my eye] include, "soda fountain", "the prom dress", "boy's life", "grandpa's little ballerina", and "saying grace". one look at a rockwell painting and you'll know it's his without looking at the signature. actually, his artworks are his signature.
before finally settling down in stockbridge, massachusetts, he made his home in arlington, vermont, where many settings of his famous illustrations can be found, as well as some of the folks who modeled for him.

museums are second home to me. if you care to see his artworks, visit the rockwell collection at stockbridge.