Waiting for the Art Editor c. 1970

Norman Rockwell made this painting, Waiting for the Art Editor, with oil on canvas. You can feel the smooth strokes, as if Rockwell wants you to be comfortable and at ease, much like the patient figures in his scene. There's a tangible stillness in the image, like we've paused time. The color palette is soft, almost muted, with the greens of the walls contrasting with the red in the seat. His brushwork seems effortless, but it’s probably not. What you see is the result of careful consideration and many layers of paint. The whole picture is about anticipation. Notice how the canvas is smoothed and softened, and yet, there is a very clear image represented. This painting kind of reminds me of Edward Hopper in that you get this voyeuristic feeling, like you're not really meant to be there but you're witnessing something private. But also, it makes me think about how paintings can be narratives and can invite us to fill in the blanks. The story is there, but it’s open to interpretation.