Norman Rockwell was one of the most iconic American storytellers. Inspired by his work, I am diving into telling my stories as a teenager in the 90’s through the lens of Norman Rockwell.
My upcoming solo show, Storyteller, at Paradigm Gallery, will include black book illustrations that are 90’s urban recreations of Saturday Evening Post covers, with a nod to my start in graffiti at the time; still life paintings, each with a focus on a particular story of my own; and large-scale painting replicas of some of my favorite Norman Rockwell images.
Howard Pyle was another prolific American illustrator during Rockwell’s time. He encouraged “living in a subject,” rather than merely illustrating people and places. This idea of creating dynamic illustrations by connecting emotionally with a story, is where I found myself when creating this body of work. Stories, previously faded, came back to life, and gave me the opportunity to be a storyteller of my block.
I hope that viewers “identify [themselves] with the people and sense – that is, feel and smell the things naturally belonging there.” (H. Pyle)
For a collectors preview of the show, sign up here.
Join me on Friday April 4th for the opening of Storyteller, on view through April 27th.
Paradigm Gallery
12 North 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106