Howard Koslow (American, 1924 - 2016) "Norman Rockwell" Signed lower right. Original acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the 29c Norman Rockwell stamp issued July 1, 1994. "My studio has been likened to a factory; my product has been described as corn! " Despite Norman Rockwell's tongue-in-cheek reference to his work, he was one of the best-loved and most prolific American artists of his time. Rockwell was a skilled illustrator capable of combining lighting, composition, mood and caricature to authentically portray 20th century life in America. In 1916, while working as an art director at a boy's magazine, 21-year-old Rockwell was urged by a co-worker to submit some of his sketches to The Saturday Evening Post. Initially overwhelmed at the thought of approaching such a prestigious publication, he eventually conquered his fears and brought his samples to the magazine's art editor. To the young man's astonishment his work was accepted on the spot, starting a relationship that would last an amazing 47 years. During his lengthy association with the Post Rockwell created some of his most memorable paintings, often using neighbors as models to depict the "common man." A stickler for authenticity, the artist was known to frequent antique shops and auctions to acquire just the right element for a particular illustration. Image Size: 14.5 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 20.5 x 20 in. Unframed. (B14781)