“Commonplace never becomes tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative. We find that is is not a new scene that is needed, but a new viewpoint.” – Norman Rockwell

On our visit to Vermont we drove from Burlington over to West Arlington to see the home of Norman Rockwell. Situated in a picturesque area of rural Vermont, you access the home by crossing the West Arlington Covered Bridge and passing the Gothic steepled Chapel on the Green. The home is now the Vermont Inn. Rockwell lived in the house from 1943 to 1953. These were some of the most productive years he spent as an artist.

Norman Rockwell produced more than four thousand original works. The majority of his works are in public collections or have been destroyed by fire or disasters. He was commissioned to illustrate over forty books which included Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. He also illustrated numerous magazine covers, most notably the Saturday Evening Post which usually were idealizing everyday American life. Many critics consIdered him an illustrator not a painter. Rockwell did not mind the designation as he considered himself an illustrator. Norman Rockwell’s paintings have brought millions of dollars at auction and are prized by many.

nrm.org – Norman Rockwell Museum