Inspiration: Norman Rockwell and You

Overview:

This lesson will address Norman Rockwell’s points of inspiration including daily life in America and American culture. Students will then begin a long-term illustration project including a schematic layout, first draft and final piece. Each student will consider Rockwell’s quote, “I was showing the America I knew and observed to others that might not have noticed.”

Five 30 minute class periods: Class 1 Presentation; 2-4  Conceptual design, drafting, and completion of illustration; 5 Class critique.

Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions:

1. Norman Rockwell was inspired by his own experiences and life around him. Generally, he was influenced by what he experienced on his vacations, nature, his neighbors and friends. He was inspired by the American culture in general, including holidays, and celebrations. Norman Rockwell was also inspired by specific groups, such as the Boy Scouts of America although he, himself, was not a member of the group.
   • What inspired Norman Rockwell?
   • What do you find inspirational?
   • How might you be “inspired” to create an illustration representational of what you know and observe in your everyday life?

Objectives:

• Students will consider everyday American life and cultural events as a means of inspiration (both for Rockwell and in preparation for their own piece of artwork).
• Students will look at and analyze the following three pieces of artwork by Norman Rockwell from a cultural point of view:  Day in the Life of a Little Girl, Day in the Life of a Little Boys and The Gossips.
• Students will complete the worksheet Think Sheet: My America Sequence 2-4 in order to create a schematic layout design for their own personal sequential illustration.
• Students will include color in at least one area that demonstrated knowledge of color theory as a visual reference to mood or emotion.
• Students will participate in a group critique in an appropriate manner.

Background:

Norman Rockwell was surrounded by a supportive (and inspirational) community of friends and fellow artists when he lived in Arlington, Vermont from 1939 to 1953. During this time he created The Gossips which became the most popular Saturday Evening Post cover in 33 years. Norman Rockwell used his neighbors as models, but did not want to insult them so he put himself and his wife into the cover design to avoid any suspicions his friends might have. The very first version began with just two gossips, then ten and finally developed into the multiple frames you see today.

Materials:

Classroom Supplies:

• American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell by Linds Szekely Pero
• Large easel with paper pad and pen or chalk board/white board
• Worksheet: Think Sheet: My America Sequence 2-4
• Colored pencils, fine tipped pens
• Final Draft Paper

Additional Teaching Resources:

The Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge by The Norman Rockwell   
     Museum  

My Adventures as an Illustrator by Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera by Ron Schick

Norman Rockwell’s America,by Christopher Finch

Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms: Images that Inspire a Nation by Stuart Murray, and James McCabe

Norman Rockwell’s Counting Book by Gloria Tabor

Norman Rockwell :Storyteller with a Brush by Beverly Sherman

A Rockwell Portrait: An Intimate Biography by Donald Walton

 

Activities:

Class One

The students will be seated in a comfortable way so they are able to see one another and can participate in a class conversation led by the instructor. The teacher will have a marker/chalk/crayon and a board or easel to write on.

1. Ask the students to listen attentively to one another as they share personal responses throughout the lesson.  Ask a student to define the words inspire and inspiration. A definition will be written on the board to refer to later on in the lesson.
2. An index card and a pencil will be given to each student. The students will be asked to respond to one or both of the following questions (on the index card), “What inspires you?” or “Who inspires you?” Give the students a couple of minutes to write down their ideas. Ask one or two students to share one of their ideas with the class..
3. Show an image of The Gossips by Norman Rockwell and ask the students if anyone has seen this illustration before. The children will be asked to point out only what they see, not what they perceive at first. The class will collectively take a visual inventory. As each student contributes, restate their observation. You might be able to elaborate on what they have said to add more visual detail or you might ask them for clarification. You might encourage them to look more closely and carefully. By doing this, the students will analyze the work and find clues and symbols to help read the visual image, revealing American culture.
4. Read an excerpt from American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell by Linda Szekely Pero explaining the what inspired Norman Rockwell and how his family and surroundings helped grant him creative ideas for his artwork (page 99-100.) Upon completion, ask the children to recall some of Rockwell’s points of inspiration and record the list on a large paper easel or board.  Student participation is critical to this discussion.
5. Show two other images by Rockwell and allow for time for the children to look at closely: Day in the Life of a Little Girl, Day in the Life of a Little Boy. Ask the students to explain the sequence of the images looking closely and using the clues that Rockwell provides.

Class 2

6. Briefly review the list created last class about what inspired Norman Rockwell. Distribute a copy of the worksheet Think Sheet- My America Sequence 2-4 to all of the students. Read over the worksheet and explain that this is meant to help them brainstorm their ideas and create a plan for their illustration ideas. Walk around the room for to check informally for understanding and to help students by conferencing individually. Check that their storyline is clear. You may ask the students to share their idea with the group, if time allows.

Classes 3-5

7. During class 3, the students will pause on their individual projects to talk about color theory relating warm colors and cool colors to moods and emotions. Each student will be asked to apply this to their illustration in at least one area (for example: If the student has chosen the summertime as the setting, then using hot colors would emphasize the heat of the sun or if the student is depicting themselves as being sad, using cool colors would emphasize sadness.)
8.  Two more classes will be allotted for the completion of the student narratives. When most of the students have finished the project, ask the group to come together to conclude the project by presenting their illustrations to one another during a group critique to gain further feedback from their peers about their personal piece. Ask the students to present their project and explain their thoughts, particularly pointing out the one area where color has been intentionally used to emphasize a mood. Ask each student to point out what clues they have used so another may understand the setting and action. Once the artist has spoken, allow a couple of comments from classmates to be given. The comments must be given in a respectful manner, demonstrate critical thoughts and be relevant to the project. For example, a student might say, “I like the way you tinted the snowman blue to emphasize it is cold outside.”

Assessment:

Students will be evaluated on their participation in the class discussion and in the group critique (informal checks of understanding through questions.)

• Students will be evaluated on the completion of the worksheet, including thumbnail sketches for the final, individual project regarding their own interpretation of American life as they know it. Students will be expected to revise their work before completion of their final illustration.