Local Backstory to Norman Rockwell Favorite Celebrating 70th Anniversary

(STOCKBRIDGE, NY) One of Norman Rockwell's most well-known pieces is celebrating it's 70th anniversary this week. It was on May 23, 1953 that 'The Young Lady with the Shiner' graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. An iconic image of a disheveled young girl with untied shoes and a black eye patiently waiting outside the school principal's office with a silly grin on her face.

CBS6 spoke to Mary Whalen Leonard, the girl in the painting.

Like many people in her town back in the 50's, she modeled for Rockwell in several of his works. She was 10-years-old when she met the artist at a school basketball game. They were both living in Arlington, VT at the time.

"After the game, Norman asked 'how would you like to pose for me?' I said, fine. I had no idea what he was talking about!" She says.

Mary was also depicted in 'Girl at the Mirror' and was featured in magazines, a calendar and on a cereal box. For 'The Young Lady with the Shiner,' Mary was photographed wearing her brother's shoes and Rockwell used charcoal to create her black eye. Displeased with the results and wanting total accuracy, Rockwell found an a boy that actually had two black eyes at the time and photographed him to use as reference to make sure Mary's black eye was as realistic as it could get. The strategy was a success.

"Sat him (the boy) on his Dad's lap and took the pictures of the black eyes. One of those black eyes made my black eye." Mary says.

The principal's office and hallway in the painting are actually from the Cambridge Central School District in Washington County, NY. Years later when the building was being renovated, a teacher made the effort to save the iconic principal's door and it's now on display with other Rockwell memorabilia at the school.

Some of the pieces Mary is depicted in can be found at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. It features the largest collection of his original works.

"They reflect our beliefs, hopes, and our dreams that really transcend time; whether it's family values, simple kindness or social responsibility." Says Margit Hotchkiss, Chief Marketing Officer at the Museum.

As for Mary, 70-years later, she says it's still a little weird when she sees her younger self staring at her from someone's wall, calendar or a puzzle box. She says she will never forget Rockwell and feels fortunate to have known him and considered him family during those formative years of her life.

"I had a wonderful father, but I didn't have a grandfather. And I think I probably slotted him for that position." She says. "I felt very close to him."

For more information on The Norman Rockwell Museum, visit them on the web: www.nrm.org

CREDITS:

• Norman Rockwell, Girl at Mirror, 1954. The Saturday Evening Post, March 6, 1954. Norman Rockwell Museum Collection. 1954 SEPS: Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN. All rights reserved.
• Gallery shot featuring Norman Rockwell works, including 'Pigtails,' 1954. Illustration for Kellogg Company. Norman Rockwell Museum Collection. Licensed by the Norman Rockwell Family Agency.
• Norman Rockwell, The Problem We All Live With, 1964. Illustration for Look, January 14, 1964. Norman Rockwell Museum Collection.
• Gene Pelham (1909-2004), Reference Photographs for 'The Shiner' by Norman Rockwell, 1953. Norman Rockwell Family Agency. All rights Reserved.

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