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Norman Rockwell, Boy Scouts and Art Have Enjoyed a Special Relationship Since The Early Days

Rockwell's First Steady Job as an Artist


Mention Norman Rockwell and Boy Scouts and your mind leaps to a vision of camp fires, roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and sleeping under the stars. Rockwell captured the essence of those moments more completely than any other illustrator.

Norman Rockwell and Boy Scouts have been almost synonymous for decades.

One can hardly find a Boy Scout calendar or Boy Scout handbook without a Norman Rockwell illustration.

And for good reason.




Boys' Life Magazine & 1912 - Rockwell's First Job



Available as Oil on Canvas:
Oil on Canvas Reproduction

Norman Rockwell's first steady job after art school in 1913 was illustrating Boy's Life magazine. In fact, this was the only time during his life that he worked for a fixed salary. He illustrated stories and painted covers for Boys' Life. He also illustrated Boy scout books, such as "The Boy Scout Hike Book" by Edward Cave and "Boy Scouts Courageous" by Franklin K. Mathiews.

Norman Rockwell became Art Director for Boy's Life magazine in 1913.

Then, in 1916, he sold his first two covers to The Saturday Evening Post. He decided free-lance artist was best for his career and left his job with Boys' Life.

Rockwell enlisted in the Navy in 1917. He was discharged in 1918.

In 1918, the Red Cross commissioned Rockwell to paint four covers for their monthly magazine. They were all to feature a Boy Scout theme. The Red Cross wanted to honor the Boy Scouts for the help they had freely given the Red Cross during World War I.

Norman Rockwell Boy Scouts Calendar

1918 Scouting is more than fun and games

In 1925, the Norman Rockwell Boy Scouts calendar began. Brown & Bigelow, the country's largest calendar producer, printed an annual Boy Scout calendar. For 52 years, each featured a Norman Rockwell Boy Scouts painting. The Boy Scout calendar was America's most popular calendar for many years.

Until 1929, Rockwell did the paintings at no charge to the Boy Scouts. After 1929, Brown & Bigelow paid Rockwell for the painting. After the calendar was published, Boy Scouts of America was given all reproduction rights for the painting.

Some of Scouting's most moving and memorable pictures were painted by Norman Rockwell for the Boy Scouts Calendar.
1918 Boy Scout Week Poster - Boost
Click here to see more Norman Rockwell Boy Scouts Illustrations.

The Silver Buffalo

In 1938, in recognition of his service to Boy Scouts, Norman Rockwell was awarded the Silver Buffalo. This award is the highest acknowledgment the Boy Scouts of America gives for "Distinguished Service to Boyhood."

Norman Rockwell was truly Scouting's best friend.

After you finish with Norman Rockwell Boy Scouts, don't forget to take our quick Norman Rockwell Collector Survey. Thanks.





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Norman Rockwell Quotes:


I'll never have enough time to paint all the pictures I'd like to.

No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them!

Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.

Right from the beginning, I always strived to capture everything I saw as completely as possible.

The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.

I can take a lot of pats on the back. I love it when I get admiring letters from people. And, of course, I'd love it if the critics would notice me, too.

You must first spend some time getting your model to relax. Then you'll get a natural expression.

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Rockwell Favorites

Doctor and the Doll
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Doctor and the Doll
Santa at His Desk
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Santa at His Desk
Before the Shot
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Before the Shot
Game Called Because of Rain
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Game Called Because of Rain (Three Umpires)
Freedom of Speech
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Freedom of Speech
Freedom from Want
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Freedom from Want
No Swimming
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No Swimming
The Runaway
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The Runaway
Girl at the Mirror
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Girl at the Mirror
Tattoo Artist
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Tattoo Artist
Puppy Love
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Puppy Love
(Little Spooners)

Norman Rockwell Christmas and Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Galleries are open.

Norman Rockwell's painting, A Drum for Tommy or Santa with Drum, appeared on the cover of The Country Gentleman on 12/17/1921
Norman Rockwell Santa Claus
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