When I think of artists in America that painted the American spirit consistently in (I want to say all) most of his compositions, I think of one of my favorite artist–Norman Rockwell.

It is hard not to see the amber waves of grain in the astonished, excited, mischievous and sometimes even sad expression on the faces of the hundreds of children he painted.

I am sure he did not fake it when he painted America so beautiful. He painted the America he saw. He painted me and you. He painted the people we know, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, and his viewers could associate with them as the “can do” Americans.

Have a happy and respectful Independence day.