HOWLAND — For over 60 years, illustrator and painter Joseph Csatari followed in the footsteps of his close friend and mentor, renowned illustrator Norman Rockwell, and now, both of their collections hang on the same walls inside the Medici Museum.

Csatari, 92, and his family came to the museum Saturday afternoon to see an exhibit of nearly all the paintings he completed for the Boy Scouts of America, titled Joseph Csatari: A 50-Year Retrospective of Scouting Artwork, in the same room for the first time. His son, Jeff Csatari, said seeing the collection was like seeing a family photo album, as his father used his children, wife and other family members as models.

“Dad used all of his neighbors and family — we were very inexpensive models,” his son said.

Jeff Csatari gave a lecture on his father’s career and how it aligned with Rockwell’s to a room full of art enthusiasts, some of whom crossed state lines in order to attend. Attendee Sue Solomon said she flew from Dallas to see the exhibit and celebrate the museum’s grand opening Friday night. The museum opened last year, but the celebration was delayed due to COVID-19.

Csatari said it was a “joy” to be able to see a collection of his work. When asked if he has a favorite, he said they’re all his favorites, but he has a certain fondness for the ones that feature his wife and children.

From a young age, Csatari was enamored with Rockwell’s work. While in art school at the Newark Academy of Art in New Jersey, he took a job sweeping the art musuem’s floors in order to “be close with the Rockwell’s,” according to his son. One night, Csatari noticed a stray bristle in a thick stroke of paint on one of Rockwell’s pieces. It was nearly falling out, so he plucked it and wrapped it in a gum wrapper and stuck it in his wallet.

“The day he went to meet him (Rockwell) in Stockbrige, Mass., he had that brush bristle still in his wallet,” Jeff Csatari said.

In 1966, Csatari became Rockwell’s art director, and their working relationship turned into a mentorship and friendship over the 10 years they worked together. Csatari recalls afternoons in Rockwell’s studio coming up with concept ideas and sometimes even working on the paintings himself when Rockwell needed a hand.

Csatari’s career, including his art style, mirrored Rockwell’s, and he’s often referred to as the “heir of Rockwell.” He told his son he remembers asking Rockwell if he took inspiration from Michelangelo for some of the poses he used in his paintings. Csatari said Rockwell took a long draw from his pipe, and said, “Joe, if you’re going to copy from someone, copy from the best.”

Jeff Csatari said his father did just that, and took over as the official artist of the Boy Scouts of America in 1977, just a year before Rockwell’s death. Csatari painted over 150 pieces for the BSA during his time as their official artist. Csatari also has painted portraits of presidents, world leaders, celebrities and athletes, illustrations for more than 300 book and magazine covers, print advertisements and corporate works.

lnickel@tribtoday.com