NORMAN ROCKWELL'S MODELS. In and Out of the Studio

From 1939 to 1953, Norman Rockwell created our nation's most iconic paintings in Vermont. As the thunder of World War II echoed in the Green Mountains, the artist brought carpenters, farmers and mechanics into his studio and put them on covers of the most popular magazines. In 1951, Rockwell created a Thanksgiving Saturday Evening Post cover, which eventually sold to Star Wars creator George Lucas for $46 million, making it the most valuable painting by an American sold at auction. One model is Haggerty's good friend, Norman's son Jarvis, who appears in that painting. Haggerty is well positioned to author this book; he grew up with the models. Together they hayed scenic meadows, danced at the pavilion, and swam under the red-covered bridge.

NORMAN ROCKWELL'S MODELS uniquely details the models' lives and their relationships with Rockwell. He joined them at numerous activities, including dances, grange suppers, sporting events and swimming in the river. “Norman became one of us,” they told Haggerty. Each chapter has rich anecdotes and leaves the reader with enhanced appreciation for this artist. Norman searched for the right model with dogged determination. To find one for “Marble's Champion,” he searched a village like a detective. For “Tired Salesgirl,” he discovered a potential model on deadline. Upon her mother's insistence, he obtained approval from the family priest and police. The models detail their experiences, posing like actors. He used all sorts of antics to evoke emotions from grave concern to fear to laughter.

The artist's son and model Thomas Rockwell, co-author of Norman Rockwell, My Adventures as an Illustrator, has offered his endorsement, as has Norman's son Jarvis, an artist and model for his father's most loved masterpieces.

Haggerty served as a writer and editor for McGraw-Hill and has free-lanced for many others. He has read excerpts from his book Cows in the Fog at many public venues, including with former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. He has a master's in journalism from the U. of S.C. Haggerty posts on social media on a daily basis, including on the most popular Rockwell site. His website is Sthaggerty.com.