John Atherton, 1900-1952 was one of the twelve Famous Artists that set the stage for the Time and Place for Norman Adams to come along and do what has not been done before in art, music or sports. John Atherton painted with the same passion he had for his music and sports. His broad spectrum of technical skills, artistic creativity and versatility separated him from the other eleven Famous Artists. He painted illustrations to make a living. His real passion was the “creativity for its own reward” that took him into the surreal that he called Magic Realism, before his “magic” went into abstract art. And if Atherton was a father of his “Magic Realism” then Norman Adams followed to take it to another level.

John Atherton original oil painting. Collection of Chris and Mary Schafer

John Atherton did not like the word “surreal” for his art. He called it “Magic Realism.” 

John Atherton painting, making flies, with Norman Rockwell and fishing.

John Atherton: Cape Horn painting for Esquire

John Atherton original oil painting 36x52

Oil Painting by John Atherton for House and Garden June 1930. © Conde Nast Publications.

John Atherton in Norman Rockwell’s “April Fool.”

John Atherton posing for Norman Rockwell.

Norman Rockwell and John Atherton combined to do this “Spirit of Kansas City” painting. Atherton painted the background.

John Atherton Painting “Tilling the Soil”

John Atherton: Advert. for DOW Chemical 1950

Robert Fawcett: The Illustrator’s Illustrator.