Jim Martin, on leave from the Navy in 1943, visited the Fifth Avenue
Merchant’s Association in New York where the traveling exhibition of the
Second War Loan Drive was on view.

The exhibit included two soon-to-be-famous paintings of Norman Rockwell:
The Four Freedoms and Rosie the Riveter.

Those paintings also included two Rockwell models, both quickly recognized
by Martin.

His father, James Martin Sr., appears in all four frames of the Four Freedoms.
His cousin, Mary Doyle, posed as Rosie the Riveter.

These Rockwell creations continued the trend of Vermont natives posing for
the famous artist. Included in the list besides Martin’s father and cousin, was
Martin himself, who posed as a young boy in several Rockwell advertisements.
Martin will share the family stories and glimpses into Rockwell’s work when he
appears Monday, Oct. 10, at the Clackamas County Bank conference room in
Sandy, 38963 Proctor Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is sponsored
by the Wy’east Artisans Guild.

The Four Freedoms Tour took the original painting – depicting freedom of
speech, worship, from fear, from want – to 16 cities, raising a staggering
$130 million in war bonds.

Of Rockwell’s work, President Franklin Roosevelt wrote: “I think you have
done a superb job in bringing home to the plain everyday citizen, the plain
everyday truths behind the four freedoms ... I congratulate you not alone on
the execution but also for the spirit which impelled you to make this
contribution to the common cause of a freer, happier world.”

Rosie the Riveter appeared on the May 29, 1943 cover of The Saturday
Evening Post, and gave visual form to the patriotic female defense worker.

Rockwell portrayed Rosie in overalls, work shirt, and rolled up sleeves that
revealed powerful, muscular arms. Mary Doyle was less than flattered by the
image – as she had a slim figure in real life – and let Rockwell know her
feelings. The famous illustrator later apologized for his exaggeration.

The original Rosie painting was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2002 for
$4,959,500.