Acclaimed artist, son collaborate on Rockwell book for BSA

Professional artist Joseph Csatari may be 80 years old, but he cannot help smiling from ear to ear when he talks about his idol Norman Rockwell.

South River artist Joseph Csatari (r) worked with Norman Rockwell for almost two decades at the Boy Scouts of America. Csatari became the BSA's official artist when the legendary Rockwell stepped down. Csatari recently published "Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America," as part of the upcoming celebration of scouting's 100th year. "He was my hero," he said as he sat in his art studio on the second floor of his Snapper Avenue home in South River on Dec. 4.

Csatari said he had the privilege to become good friends with Rockwell and work hand in hand with the well-known painter and illustrator of the 20th century.

"It was 1957. I had graduated from the Newark Academy of Arts and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., for advertising, and I had gotten a job at the layout advertising department of the Boy Scouts of America in North Brunswick, where Rockwell was the official artist," he said. "It wasn't the job I wanted … I was sweeping floors and putting photos in proper order. I remember having glimpses of Rockwell smoking his pipe. I was like 'Wow, I want to meet him.' "

Csatari said he grew up copying Rockwell's illustrations in The Saturday Evening Post magazine.

Csatari became the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America after Rockwell retired and then passed away in 1978. Csatari and son Jeff collaborated to create "Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America" in celebration of the 100-year history of the Boy Scouts, which will be officially observed in 2010. The book was published in October.

Jeff said he and his father received a call in August 2008 from the BSA inquiring about creating a book.

"We worked with DK Publishing in New York," he said.

The book is a compilation of nearly 100 years of scouting in America, including campouts, hikes, pack and troop meetings, high adventure treks, public service projects, Pinewood Derby races and more.

The book's illustrations are from the oil paintings by Norman Rockwell and Joseph Csatari, the two official artists during the 20th century and now the beginning of the 21st century.

The Csataris offer the backstory of each artwork, providing historical content and insightful perspective on the times that inspired the images.

"A story can be told with each painting," said Csatari.

Csatari said as the official artist of the BSA, he is in charge of creating the theme for the year and scouting out models for the painting.

"Each painting was challenging; however, the most emotional painting I would say was the theme for 9/11," he said.

It was a year after the September 11 terroristic attacks when Csatari traveled with his wife, Susan, to the ground zero site.

"We had permission to go and took a cab into the city," he said. "When we approached the police officer at the gate, I told him what I was there for, he looked at me, and then slowly placed his hand on his gun, then around to his back pocket where he took out his wallet showing his Eagle Scout card."

The 9/11 oil painting, titled "Prepared to Do a Good Turn," depicts New York police, fire and Port Authority emergency personnel along with Boy Scouts ready to render aid. The painting was the official BSA illustration for the year 2003.

"Each painting is worked on about a year in advance," said Csatari. "One of the firemen who posed for me lost 70 peers on 9/11. He gave us a cross that was made from the steel beams of one of the towers … my wife was in tears."

Csatari said he starts out by taking photographs of models for his painting; next he draws thumbnail sketches of his painting, and then he makes a comprehensive charcoal drawing before he works on his final piece.

"This way I won't have to make any changes to the final drawing," he said. "In a few of the lectures that I have done, I always emphasize that drawing is the substantial foundation to any visual."

Over the years, Csatari has used his family and friends as models for his paintings, which Rockwell also did.

"It makes the paintings look more real," he said. "Rockwell always would say to spare no effort in finding the perfect model. One of my models was Christopher M. Dincuff, who died in the 9/11 attacks."

Dincuff was just 31 in 2001, working as a commodities trader in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

For the 1980 painting, Dincuff, who was 9 years old at the time and a member of local Cub Pack 26, points up toward his father with a bubbly smile. The painting depicts the reunion of Cub Pack 26, former members who have matured into outstanding contributors to the community.

Before becoming the official artist for the BSA, Csatari was the organization's art director and worked with Rockwell.

"I would help out with the sketches and bring the models to Rockwell at his studio in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and pose them for him," he said.

Csatari said it was thrilling working with Rockwell and sitting by him at his easel.

"He was a pleasant man and what a storyteller," he said. "You didn't realize you were with a celebrity because he was so down to earth. It was when I left his studio that it would hit me, 'Wow, that was Norman Rockwell.' "

Csatari said he enjoys painting portraits of people and animals, as well as working on watercolor paintings. One of his portraits is of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, painted while Csatari was still in school.

"I had the chance to present the painting to the president at the White House," he said. "I remember seeing President Eisenhower sitting at a conference table looking drained and tired. When he stood up to greet us, he cracked a smile."

Csatari has also done paintings for children's and adult book covers and advertisements such as Miracle-Gro plant food and Chef Boyardee.

The book "Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts of America" can be found at local bookstores and on Amazon.com.