Today we’d like to introduce you to Norm Daniels.
Hi Norm, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I loved to draw and sketch. My father was a talented cartoonist. He taught me how to “toon”. Dr Seuss and good ol’ Mad Magazine had a great influence on me. I loved the way reality and gravity could be suspended in a cartoon. So, if you see those influences in my works, I am grateful. During college I studies Architecture and have designed many custom homes around San Diego and a few really cool lodge style buildings up in the Sierra while I was on the Hume Lake Christian Camp staff for many years. Those were good days.
I started surfing in Jr High and spent a lot of time drawing waves in the style of Rick Griffin (The undisputed master of Surf Art). Following Rick Griffin’s art took me to the works of the great illustrator, Dean Cornwell. Cornwell’s influence took me to the modern Plein Air Master, Ken Auster. I took lessons from Auster, and Plein Air painting took hold of me. Hence, I guess I am a “Plain Air Cartoonist” Now, in my retirement I am grateful to show in a few galleries and sell an occasional painting and still do some graphic commissions. I love my hometown of San Diego and my deep roots here. This is a beautiful place to live and to paint.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If a road is too soft and smooth, growth might be too rushed or become lazy. The bumps give it time to consider optional routes and to slow down. Several years ago, I had a series of small strokes and that was an eye opener to slow down. Gratefully have mostly recovered. Then, in 2019, I got hit by a car while crossing the street. Ouch. Both shoulders and my pelvis were broken. The amazing doctor rebuild my left shoulder and eventually the rest of me came back “online” During those days, my dear wife, Patsy, my kids and my good friends became the number one priority of life. It would have been nice to learn this lesson in a less painful way, but it’s a good lesson to learn in life, isn’t it? Through these experiences, Art continues to be a place of happiness and creativity, and through it, I have met and made so many new friends,
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Primarily, I paint in Oils. Occasionally, I’ll do pen and ink drawings and computer graphics. My specialty is cartooning and anthropomorphizing inanimate objects, especially vintage “split window Kombis.” I guess my goofy VW Bus cartoons are my signature works. Back in the day, I designed some pretty cool houses and buildings. I think learning perspective, thus, has helped me be a better artist “en plein air”
For a couple years I provided two cartoons for Surfer Magazine each month. How cool was that to follow in the footsteps of my favorite graphic artist, Rick Griffin?
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Except for drafting classes and going surfing in the morning, school was not my favorite time. I was kind of a goofy kid and liked to make people laugh but was pretty shy at the same time. Art and music was a good safe escape. I took up the saxophone and bassoon. My mom was a concert pianist and dad played trumpet, so music surrounded me. During those days I played in a couple jazz groups and a fairly popular dance band here in SD. Those are some fun memories. My folks were a great influence in art and music. In the mid 70’s, I was exposed to the life of Jesus Christ. His story made sense to me, and He captured my heart. I am His to this day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barefoot_norm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/normhere https://www.facebook.com/ArtONorm/
