Norman Rockwell, a self-portrait

Reprinted from "Off the Cuff" by Warner Jenkins

I have just finished reading the novel "Norman Rockwell's Greatest Paintings."

Based in the late Rockwell's hometown in Stockbridge, Mass., it contains a rich mix of wisdom, warmth and humor.

The author, Hollis Hodges, actually bears a striking resemblance to the hero of the novel, Ebert Olney, but certainly not to the talented and elongated Rockwell who at one time bicycled through the street of Alhambra, pipe clenched between his teeth and his coattails flying.

That was in 1930.

History in her own unpredictable and lazy way oftentimes weaves a fabric of beauty based more upon chance, circumstances and plain luck than on careful planning.

Why was Rockwell in Alhambra during that fateful summer of 1930?

The obvious and most important reason is a simple one. Rockwell was here to marry an Alhambra girl, Mary Rhodes Barstow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Barstow, 1617 S. Second St.

Mary bore hime three sons and the marriage lasted until her death in 1959. She was Rockwell's second wife. His first was a new York socialite that ended in divorce in 1929.

His third wife, Molly, survives the famous artist. She still makes her home in Stockbridge were her talented husband died Nov. 8, 1978, at age 84.

Rockwell loved Alhambra.

The weather, the small town atmosphere, the ball games in the park and Main Street itself all gave Rockwell the folksy formula he need[ed] to capture small town America on canvas.

No artist is better known.

Event the current Ross Publication Co. telephone directories that clutter our desk tops proudly feature the warm wizardry of Norman Rockwell.

I have no idea how many visits Rockwell and his bride made to Alhambra. There had to be many. One longtime Alhambran, now deceased, Emmons W. Leroy, described Rockwell as "skinny with quick, warm brown eyes and a prominent Adam's apple."

The Post-Advocate morgue contains dozens of yellowing Rockwell clippings.

All of them feature the Champion Place art colony that once included such famous names as Clyde Forsythe, Jack Wilkinson/Smith, Sam Hyde Harris, Frank Tenney Johnson and sculptor Eli Harvey.

Rockwell and Forsythe were lifelong friends. Forsythe was best man at Rockwell's wedding to Mary Barstow.

It was Forsythe who got the struggling young Rockwell to tackle the Saturday Evening Post.

The story of Rockwell's introduction to wealth and fame, as reported in the March 4, 1930 edition of the Post-Advocate went like this:

"The young artist walked into the offices of the Saturday Evening Post with his pictures. He carried them in a shiny black case of enormous size. As he was waiting in an outer office the famous Irving Cobb and Samuel Blythe noted the outsize black case and then Rockwell."

"Well, young man," said Cobb, "waht are you doing here?"

"Oh, I've brought some paintings to show the art editor," replied Rockwell bashfully.

"Ah, that's it," said Cobb. "I thought you were the undertaker."

"The embarassed Rockwell, however, recovered in time to hear the art editor tell him he'd take two of his pictures and pay him $75 apiece."

"Rockwell walked on air out of the office and promptly wired Forsythe the good new."

Such was launched one of America's most successful careers in art.

And yes, a tiny sliver of that career can be traced right back to Alhambra. Many of Rockwell's famous Post scenes were suggested by Alhambra scenes.

Another of Rockwell's best friends was Vard Stockton, longtime Alhambra photographer who also did a great deal of work for the Daily Post-Advocate. It was a 15-year relationship with Rockwell built upon Rockwell's passion for live photographs of his subject.

The Rockwell-Stockton friendship began in 1931 when the artist visited Stockton's North Garfield studio with a request for a photograph of a dog at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. Altogether Stockton completed 25 photographs for Rockwell.

Again a strong Alhambra influence.

Rockwell often commented. "I prefer photographs to live models. It allows me to work at a time of my choice and photographs, unlike models, never grow tired or change position."

If you're lucky enough to own a Rockwell original guard it with your life. They're worth a small fortune.

You can now see evidence of his work everywhere. Rockwell reproductions help sell coffee mugs, T-shirts, calendars and even bar towels. The skinny ex-Alhambran lived long enough to become a legend in his own time.

Rockwell often gave away paintings to friends who admired his work. Do you remember his popular "Saying Grace."

It very well could have taken place at that old West Main Street favorite, Leo's Ice Cream parlor.

Like many great artists he painted of his yesteryears.

Many of us still do.