"It was a pretty rough neighborhood where I grew up The really tough places were over around Third Avenue where it ran into the Harlem River, but we weren't far away"

Norman Rockwell's quote paints a vibrant picture of the community he grew up in. It was a rough location, with the toughest parts located near Third Avenue and the Harlem River. Although Rockwell and his family weren't residing in the most harmful parts of the community, they were still close enough to feel the impacts of the violence and hardship that surrounded them. Growing up in such an environment likely had an extensive influence on Rockwell's life and art, as he was exposed to the harsh truths of life from a young age. In spite of the difficulties of his childhood, Rockwell was able to utilize his experiences to develop meaningful and powerful artworks that have actually resonated with individuals all over the world.