“Tattoist illustration (c) SEPS.”
Norman Rockwell and his work have always been of some distant inspiration to me. In my past short lived career as a professional photographer I can still vividly remember wanting to do a collection of photos that recreated his imaginative illustrations. Currently and as a designer I periodically find myself looking at his work to find some inspiration from the meticulous detail and humor he so skillfully added to all of his ideas, to so perfectly convey the current mood of the past, true America.
Yesterday, while passing by and inspired by the rare parking opportunity near the Brooklyn Museum, I was pleasantly surprised to find showing was a temporary exhibit “Behind the Camera”, a collection of photos and sketches that Rockwell apparently had used to make his famous illustrations from. I spent the better part of a good hour looking through the entire collection and I now have a new-found appreciation for his work and paintings.
Rockwell, who was a New York City native and an absolute perfectionist had staged models and sets to be photographed, sometimes more then a 100 times, only to capture and study all the details for a painting he was working on. Although technically called an illustrator rather then an artist, Rockwell so carefully detailed his subjects and the environments they were set in that I cant help but wonder how different art today would be without him. One day soon I am sure that even the likes of photographer David Lachapelle will be sure to admit their secret collection of Saturday Evening Post Covers featuring Rockwell’s brilliant illustrations.
Where: At the Brooklyn Museum now through April 10, 2011.
More: About the “Behind the Camera” exhibit here. Norman Rockwell Museum.
Here is a link to purchase the exhibition book: Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera
