| Norman Rockwell (February 03, 1894-November 08, | | | | shown lying on the bed of an untidy room, while |
| 1978) was one of Americas most creative and | | | | another one portrayed him as a dutiful son carrying on |
| admired illustrators. His name was synonymous with | | | | the family tradition by serving in the army. Your heart |
| The Saturday Evening Post (also known as The Post), | | | | goes out to "Willie in Church," in which he is shown |
| as he created more than 300 images for their covers. | | | | sitting in the church in his uniform, with a lost |
| Rockwell's real claim to fame was a series of | | | | expression. A popular cover from the series "Willie Gillis |
| illustrations he made, based on a fictional private | | | | USO" shows a very amused Willie being served |
| character of an 'everyman.' This fictional character | | | | donuts and cookies by two young dutiful USO |
| was called "Willie Gillis," and Rockwell created it during | | | | workers. Perhaps the most humorous of the series |
| the World War II. With Robert Otis "Bob" Buck, an | | | | was "Willie Gillis Girls with Letters," where two young |
| officer later in the US Navy, as the model, he can be | | | | women are fighting over his photos, which he probably |
| described as an average young American thrown into | | | | sent from the war. The last illustration "Willie Gillis in |
| the disarray of war. The eleven cover illustrations of | | | | College" gave the series a kind of happy conclusion. It |
| Gillis published in The Post were:o Food Package | | | | showed the post war Gillis dressed in smart casual |
| (October 4, 1941)o Home On Leave (November | | | | clothes smoking a pipe and sprawled next to a |
| 29,1941)o USO (February 7,1942 )o On K.P (April 11, | | | | window reading a book. His expression is relaxed and |
| 1942)o What to do in a blackout(June 27, 1942)o In | | | | he seemed happy in that pleasant environment. |
| Church (July 25, 1942)o Girls with Letters (September | | | | Rockwell had a flair for storytelling on canvas and liked |
| 5,1942)o Willie's Rope Trick (June 26, 1943)o New | | | | to paint the softer side of life. His unique, yet a simple |
| Years Eve (January 1,1944)o Gillis Heritage | | | | portrayal of innocent "Willie Gillis" reacting to everyday |
| (September 16, 1944)o In College (October 5, 1946) | | | | scenarios, won the affection of the American public. |
| These Norman's illustrations tracked Willie's life in the | | | | Many Americans thought Willie was a real person and |
| military from his initiation to his release. The very first | | | | were always curious to know more about his life. |
| image "Willie Gillis Food Package" showed him holding | | | | Norman made one painting of "Willie Gillis," which was |
| a care package labeled 'Food.' He is looking hesitantly | | | | not meant for cover. It was called "Willie Gillis in the |
| over his shoulder, while a dozen high ranked officers | | | | Convoy." It depicted him in the back of a military truck |
| are starring at the package with anticipation. There | | | | with a rifle in his hand. Rockwell donated this painting to |
| was one, which showed " Home on Leave." He is | | | | the Gardner High School. |