Norman Rockwell

We watched the documentary Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait on Amazon Prime… behind that squeaky clean documentary, all those wholesome Thanksgiving tables and sleepy small-town smiles was a man battling anxiety, insecurity, perfectionism, government propaganda work during WWII, rumored infidelity, and the frustration of being told NOT to include Black Americans in many of his early illustrations. 👀 We unpack: ✨ why Rockwell secretly doubted his own talent ✨ how his art became part of the U.S. war bond machine ✨ the pressure of painting “the perfect America” ✨ why leaving The Saturday Evening Post changed everything ✨ and how he later created powerful civil rights pieces like The Problem We All Live With featuring Ruby Bridges. Basically… America’s grandpa illustrator had some layers. And probably need a therapist and a nap. 🫠 Pour yourself a mai tai and join us for art history, hot takes, emotional damage, and vintage Americana with a side of scandal. 🍹 Watch the documentary: Amazon Prime – Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait More about Rockwell: PBS American Masters – Norman Rockwell: Painting America Civil Rights painting discussed in the episode: The Problem We All Live With (Ruby Bridges painting) KIM: Will be at the Haleiwa Art Festival June 13 & 14th KimberlyRatliffArt.com Tammy: Has work at The Marketplace in Panama City Florida