Gladys Rockmore Davis
Encyclopedia
Gladys Rockmore Davis was an American artist who succeeded in both commercial and fine arts, and gave up a career in advertising art to devote herself to creative painting. Her work in pastels ranks with her oils, and her chief subjects are children, nudes and still lifes. She also painted ballet dancers, vignettes of liberated Paris, and scenes of Spain. An art critic once called Gladys Rockmore Davis "the ten-year wonder of United States art". Her husband Floyd Davis
and her son Noel Rockmore
were well known artist as well.
, on May 11, 1901, the daughter of David William Rockmore and Jeanette (Richman) Rockmore, Gladys Davis lived in New York
until she was nine years old. Her father, a lawyer and metallurgist, moved the family to Canada shortly after he was suspended from his New York legal practice for 6 months for “inappropriately reflecting on the character of a New York Municipal Court Justice”. Gladys and her brother, Julian Rockmore, spent the next five years getting used to new schools as the family moved from place to place in Canada
.
”I spent the following five years getting used to one school, only to find myself moved on to another. This successive uprooting did not stop me from giving every moment of my spare time to drawing and painting. We finally returned to the United States
and landed in San Francisco.” Although neither of her parents had any artistic inclinations, they encouraged her and sent her to Saturday classes at the California School of Fine Arts.
“Of this period, I have fascinating memories of the caverns below the school which were the ruins of the original building destroyed in the great earthquake. It was in San Francisco that I first studied from life, and won my first prize. After two years, the family moved again and we finally settled in Chicago
. It was there that I got my real start in the world of art.”
where she studied with John Norton
and George Bellows
. She spoke affectionately of Norton who "taught me to look, to see, really to use my eyes. He showed me the vast difference between the actual distortion of reality and the 'pretty' distortion of the average point of view." She praised the Art Institute of Chicago
, not only for its teaching, but also for having a museum where the students could compare their work with the works of masters. "Great paintings put us in our places," she said. “As I look back, I realize that a truly remarkable spirit existed in the school at that time. That’s what happens when there are both good teachers and eager students.”
“After graduating in 1920, I was faced with the necessity of earning a living. Commercial art seemed to be the answer. I spent the next eleven years as an advertising and fashion artist. This proved to be not only remunerative, but a most instructive experience in many ways. Actually, it taught me much in the way of judgment, discipline, and facility.”
Gladys Rockmore’s artwork appeared in several major fashion catalogs over the next few years including Marshall Fields and Vogue
. She was recognized as a fine artist and often did the front or back cover. She was then hired at Grauman Brothers Advertising in Chicago
. She was the first woman ever hired by the firm in a staff of all men.
Gladys Rockmore met Floyd Davis
who was the top artist at Grauman’s for illustrations and commercial work. They began a secret relationship and eventual courtship. As soon as Gladys entered the studio Floyd’s output dwindled, and as the weeks went by, became practically non-existent. At the end of two months the management asked her to leave; she and Davis subsequently married.
where Floyd, dividing his time between advertising and magazine illustration, soon became top man in both fields. Then, art editors had to compete with art directors of advertising agencies for his drawings.
“I was married in 1925, to Floyd Davis, who, at that time was already a well-known artist. His unfailing interest and flawless taste have been a continuous source of inspiration to me. We moved to New York
and set up house-keeping in the old Sherwood Studios. On December 15, 1928 and February 1, 1930 respectively, Noel Montgomery Davis and Deborah Davis, our son and daughter made their appearance.”
"In 1932 (at the height of the Great Depression
), we decided to go abroad for a year. So, having unlimited optimism, and the fearlessness of youth, we packed up bag, baggage, nurse and babies and departed. We finally settled down in Cannes
, for a period of about six months. Our house was only a short distance from the house in Le Cannet
where Renoir
spent the last twenty-five years of his life.”
“We returned after a year to New York
, and to my astonishment I discovered that I had completely lost the knack of turning out commercial work. I floundered for a couple of months and then went back to school. I studied at the Art Students League for a few months, then later spent some time working with George Grosz
, whose intelligent interest was most helpful. After this period, I threw away all leading strings, and plunged myself into the exciting world of painting. “
Mrs. Davis always set out to paint the things with which she was familiar. Her two children, Noel
and Deborah, posed for many paintings from their babyhood through their youth.
in 1937 and was recommended for the 1938 purchase prize by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
at Richmond, Virginia
. In 1939 she received honorable mention from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and third honorable mention from the Corcoran Gallery of Art
, Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
in New York
bought her August Afternoon in 1940. This was followed by a number of prizes in museums throughout the country, and in 1941 she gave her first one-man show at the Rehn Gallery in New York City
. After two additional one-man shows at the Midtown Gallery in New York
an art critic called Gladys Rockmore Davis "the ten-year wonder of United States art".
Her work was described by a critic of the Art Digest (May 1, 1943) as that of "one of our strongest women artists, who is not so much concerned with fantasy as she is with painting a good solid, professional picture". Her first book, Pastel Painting was published in 1943. At the Metropolitan Opera House in 1944, Mrs. Davis made many intimate sketches of the ballet from backstage and other studies in the dressing rooms for Life Magazine.
During World War II
, her ballet sketches were exhibited in Bonwit Teller
store windows while she worked inside sketching ballerinas and giving her pictures away for the purchase of $100 war bonds. She received a citation from the United States Government in 1945 in recognition of this service.
Mrs. Davis and her husband were commissioned by Life Magazine to paint liberated Paris
in 1944 and 1945 where she narrowly escaped death in a German strafing of Metz. Floyd Davis
concentrated on the wartime city with American soldiers, while she painted the familiar and nostalgic scenes. Reviewing the show, which was exhibited in the foyer of the Time-Life Building
in 1945, a critic from the New York World-Telegram
commented, "This was an uncertain, frightened city Gladys Rockmore Davis was painting.“ Their 44 works from World War II
are now a part a part of The US Army Center of Military History
(link) in Washington D.C.
Mrs. Davis was one of the artists participating in the first art show sponsored by the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1945; in the same year she won the Pepsi-Cola Portrait of America Show popular prize. Her second book, Gladys Rockmore Davis, was published in 1945 by American Artist Group.
Her work was also on the Cover of Art News and the Life Magazine Christmas Issue in 1947. Her artwork was converted to a wearable silk by The Onondaga Silk Company and collected and displayed by the Cleveland Museum of Art
in 1947.
, Munsingwear, Elgin Watches
, and Johnson and Johnson for whom she produced a series of ads that were also available as prints.
In 1951, Mrs. Davis won the Gold Medal from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She was a full Academician at the National Academy of Design
. When Mrs. Davis visited Spain
in 1952 she was stimulated to new work, which resulted a one-man show held in April 1953, called "Paintings of Spain." She also produced a series of portraits of both children and adults during this time. One of those portraits was of her famous cousin by marriage, Clara Rockmore
, who used that portrait as the cover for her Art of the Theremin
album in 1977. In 1953, Gladys once again made the cover of American Artist with a charcoal of her new “back view” series.
In 1955, she wins the National Academy of Design
Isador Gold Medal for her figure, back view, “White Petticoat.”
By 1956, her son, Noel Davis
had come to the attention of the New York
artworld and is considered a rising young star winning many awards and critical acclaims.
In November of 1956, after a visit to the Orient
, Gladys Rockmore Davis has a show at the Midtown Gallery featuring her impressions of Balinese Dancers. In July of 1957, Gladys is recognized for donating her artwork for the 1957 Holiday Card of The United Nations Childrens Fund. In 1958, she has her final show at the Babcock Gallery featuring her pastels of flowers.
who legally changed his name in 1959 from Noel Davis to Noel Rockmore
. Her works continued to appear in major print media as illustrations for stories. Her husband Floyd Davis
, retired from illustration and was one of the first members inducted into The Illustrators Hall of Fame
(external link). Gladys Rockmore Davis died at the French Hospital in New York City
on February 16, 1967 with both of her children in town to be with her.
Floyd MacMillan Davis
Floyd MacMillan Davis was an American painter and illustrator known for his work in advertising and illustration; Walter and Roger Reed described him as "someone who could capture the rich, beautiful people of the 1920s: dashing, mustachioed men; the cool, svelte women...
and her son Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother Gladys Rockmore Davis and father Floyd Davis in New York City. Rockmore was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime...
were well known artist as well.
1901-1921: Early Life- New York, Canada, &San Francisco
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, on May 11, 1901, the daughter of David William Rockmore and Jeanette (Richman) Rockmore, Gladys Davis lived in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
until she was nine years old. Her father, a lawyer and metallurgist, moved the family to Canada shortly after he was suspended from his New York legal practice for 6 months for “inappropriately reflecting on the character of a New York Municipal Court Justice”. Gladys and her brother, Julian Rockmore, spent the next five years getting used to new schools as the family moved from place to place in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
”I spent the following five years getting used to one school, only to find myself moved on to another. This successive uprooting did not stop me from giving every moment of my spare time to drawing and painting. We finally returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and landed in San Francisco.” Although neither of her parents had any artistic inclinations, they encouraged her and sent her to Saturday classes at the California School of Fine Arts.
“Of this period, I have fascinating memories of the caverns below the school which were the ruins of the original building destroyed in the great earthquake. It was in San Francisco that I first studied from life, and won my first prize. After two years, the family moved again and we finally settled in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. It was there that I got my real start in the world of art.”
1917–1925: Education & Career Beginnings- Chicago
At the age of sixteen, she entered the Art Institute of ChicagoArt Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
where she studied with John Norton
John Norton
John Norton may refer to:*John Norton, 5th Baron Grantley , British peer and numismatist*John Norton , Victorian Gothic revivalist, remodelled Tyntesfield*John Norton , Olympic medalist...
and George Bellows
George Bellows
George Wesley Bellows was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City, becoming, according to the Columbus Museum of Art, "the most acclaimed American artist of his generation".-Youth:Bellows was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio...
. She spoke affectionately of Norton who "taught me to look, to see, really to use my eyes. He showed me the vast difference between the actual distortion of reality and the 'pretty' distortion of the average point of view." She praised the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
, not only for its teaching, but also for having a museum where the students could compare their work with the works of masters. "Great paintings put us in our places," she said. “As I look back, I realize that a truly remarkable spirit existed in the school at that time. That’s what happens when there are both good teachers and eager students.”
“After graduating in 1920, I was faced with the necessity of earning a living. Commercial art seemed to be the answer. I spent the next eleven years as an advertising and fashion artist. This proved to be not only remunerative, but a most instructive experience in many ways. Actually, it taught me much in the way of judgment, discipline, and facility.”
Gladys Rockmore’s artwork appeared in several major fashion catalogs over the next few years including Marshall Fields and Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
. She was recognized as a fine artist and often did the front or back cover. She was then hired at Grauman Brothers Advertising in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. She was the first woman ever hired by the firm in a staff of all men.
Gladys Rockmore met Floyd Davis
Floyd MacMillan Davis
Floyd MacMillan Davis was an American painter and illustrator known for his work in advertising and illustration; Walter and Roger Reed described him as "someone who could capture the rich, beautiful people of the 1920s: dashing, mustachioed men; the cool, svelte women...
who was the top artist at Grauman’s for illustrations and commercial work. They began a secret relationship and eventual courtship. As soon as Gladys entered the studio Floyd’s output dwindled, and as the weeks went by, became practically non-existent. At the end of two months the management asked her to leave; she and Davis subsequently married.
1925–1936: Marriage, Children & A Career– New York, France
In 1925, Davis left the studio and became a free-lance advertising artist. After their marriage, the couple moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where Floyd, dividing his time between advertising and magazine illustration, soon became top man in both fields. Then, art editors had to compete with art directors of advertising agencies for his drawings.
“I was married in 1925, to Floyd Davis, who, at that time was already a well-known artist. His unfailing interest and flawless taste have been a continuous source of inspiration to me. We moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and set up house-keeping in the old Sherwood Studios. On December 15, 1928 and February 1, 1930 respectively, Noel Montgomery Davis and Deborah Davis, our son and daughter made their appearance.”
"In 1932 (at the height of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
), we decided to go abroad for a year. So, having unlimited optimism, and the fearlessness of youth, we packed up bag, baggage, nurse and babies and departed. We finally settled down in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, for a period of about six months. Our house was only a short distance from the house in Le Cannet
Le Cannet
Le Cannet is a commune of the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.-Location:Le Cannet is located on the north of Cannes, on the French Riviera...
where Renoir
Renoir
-People with the surname Renoir :* Pierre-Auguste Renoir , French painter* Pierre Renoir , French actor and son of Pierre-Auguste Renoir* Jean Renoir , French film director and son of Pierre-Auguste Renoir...
spent the last twenty-five years of his life.”
“We returned after a year to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and to my astonishment I discovered that I had completely lost the knack of turning out commercial work. I floundered for a couple of months and then went back to school. I studied at the Art Students League for a few months, then later spent some time working with George Grosz
George Grosz
Georg Ehrenfried Groß was a German artist known especially for his savagely caricatural drawings of Berlin life in the 1920s...
, whose intelligent interest was most helpful. After this period, I threw away all leading strings, and plunged myself into the exciting world of painting. “
Mrs. Davis always set out to paint the things with which she was familiar. Her two children, Noel
Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother Gladys Rockmore Davis and father Floyd Davis in New York City. Rockmore was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime...
and Deborah, posed for many paintings from their babyhood through their youth.
1937-1947: Recognized Artist/WWII Artist– New York, Europe
Recognition came soon. Gladys Rockmore Davis won the William R. French Gold Medal at the Art Institute of ChicagoArt Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
in 1937 and was recommended for the 1938 purchase prize by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine arts, or VMFA, is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States, which opened in 1936.The museum is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, while private donations, endowments, and funds are used for the support of specific programs and all...
at Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. In 1939 she received honorable mention from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and third honorable mention from the Corcoran Gallery of Art
Corcoran Gallery of Art
The Corcoran Gallery of Art is the largest privately supported cultural institution in Washington, DC. The museum's main focus is American art. The permanent collection includes works by Rembrandt, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet, Pablo...
, Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
bought her August Afternoon in 1940. This was followed by a number of prizes in museums throughout the country, and in 1941 she gave her first one-man show at the Rehn Gallery in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. After two additional one-man shows at the Midtown Gallery in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
an art critic called Gladys Rockmore Davis "the ten-year wonder of United States art".
Her work was described by a critic of the Art Digest (May 1, 1943) as that of "one of our strongest women artists, who is not so much concerned with fantasy as she is with painting a good solid, professional picture". Her first book, Pastel Painting was published in 1943. At the Metropolitan Opera House in 1944, Mrs. Davis made many intimate sketches of the ballet from backstage and other studies in the dressing rooms for Life Magazine.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, her ballet sketches were exhibited in Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller was a department store in New York City founded by Paul Bonwit in 1895 at Sixth Avenue and 18th Street. In 1897 Edmund D. Teller was admitted to the partnership and the store moved to 23rd Street, East of Sixth Avenue...
store windows while she worked inside sketching ballerinas and giving her pictures away for the purchase of $100 war bonds. She received a citation from the United States Government in 1945 in recognition of this service.
Mrs. Davis and her husband were commissioned by Life Magazine to paint liberated Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1944 and 1945 where she narrowly escaped death in a German strafing of Metz. Floyd Davis
Floyd Davis
Floyd Eldon Davis was the co-winner of the 1941 Indianapolis 500....
concentrated on the wartime city with American soldiers, while she painted the familiar and nostalgic scenes. Reviewing the show, which was exhibited in the foyer of the Time-Life Building
Time-Life Building
The Time-Life Building, located at 1271 Avenue of the Americas in Rockefeller Center in New York opened in 1959 and was designed by the Rockefeller family's architect Wallace Harrison, of Harrison, Abramovitz, and Harris.The Time & Life Building was the first of four buildings in Rockefeller...
in 1945, a critic from the New York World-Telegram
New York World-Telegram
The New York World-Telegram, later known as the New York World-Telegram and Sun, was a New York City newspaper from 1931 to 1966.-History:...
commented, "This was an uncertain, frightened city Gladys Rockmore Davis was painting.“ Their 44 works from World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
are now a part a part of The US Army Center of Military History
US Army Center of Military History
The United States Army Center of Military History is a Directorate within the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The Center is responsible for the appropriate use of history throughout the United States Army...
(link) in Washington D.C.
Mrs. Davis was one of the artists participating in the first art show sponsored by the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1945; in the same year she won the Pepsi-Cola Portrait of America Show popular prize. Her second book, Gladys Rockmore Davis, was published in 1945 by American Artist Group.
Her work was also on the Cover of Art News and the Life Magazine Christmas Issue in 1947. Her artwork was converted to a wearable silk by The Onondaga Silk Company and collected and displayed by the Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art is an art museum situated in the Wade Park District, in the University Circle neighborhood on Cleveland's east side. Internationally renowned for its substantial holdings of Asian and Egyptian art, the museum houses a diverse permanent collection of more than 43,000...
in 1947.
1947-1958: Commercial Artist– New York
In the late 40’s Gladys Rockmore Davis became a featured artist for commercial advertisements for major companies including UpjohnUpjohn
The Upjohn Company was a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm founded in 1886 in Kalamazoo, Michigan by Dr. William E. Upjohn, an 1875 graduate of the University of Michigan medical school. The company was originally formed to make friable pills, which were specifically designed to be easily digested...
, Munsingwear, Elgin Watches
Elgin Watch Company
The Elgin National Watch Company, most commonly known as just the Elgin Watch company was a major US watch company.-History:The Elgin National Watch Company, was founded in August 1864 as the National Watch Company. A number of former associates of the Waltham Watch Company and Chicago watchmaker J.C...
, and Johnson and Johnson for whom she produced a series of ads that were also available as prints.
In 1951, Mrs. Davis won the Gold Medal from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She was a full Academician at the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
. When Mrs. Davis visited Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1952 she was stimulated to new work, which resulted a one-man show held in April 1953, called "Paintings of Spain." She also produced a series of portraits of both children and adults during this time. One of those portraits was of her famous cousin by marriage, Clara Rockmore
Clara Rockmore
Clara Rockmore was a virtuoso performer of the theremin, an electronic musical instrument.-Biography :Born as Clara Reisenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania, Rockmore was a child prodigy on the violin and entered the Imperial conservatory of Saint Petersburg at the age of five...
, who used that portrait as the cover for her Art of the Theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
album in 1977. In 1953, Gladys once again made the cover of American Artist with a charcoal of her new “back view” series.
In 1955, she wins the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
Isador Gold Medal for her figure, back view, “White Petticoat.”
By 1956, her son, Noel Davis
Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother Gladys Rockmore Davis and father Floyd Davis in New York City. Rockmore was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime...
had come to the attention of the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
artworld and is considered a rising young star winning many awards and critical acclaims.
In November of 1956, after a visit to the Orient
Orient
The Orient means "the East." It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English it is a metonym that means various parts of Asia.- Derivation :...
, Gladys Rockmore Davis has a show at the Midtown Gallery featuring her impressions of Balinese Dancers. In July of 1957, Gladys is recognized for donating her artwork for the 1957 Holiday Card of The United Nations Childrens Fund. In 1958, she has her final show at the Babcock Gallery featuring her pastels of flowers.
1959-1967: Final Chapter– New York
Gladys Rockmore Davis continued to paint during the final decade of her life. She served as a judge for shows and closely follows the career of her sonNoel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother Gladys Rockmore Davis and father Floyd Davis in New York City. Rockmore was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime...
who legally changed his name in 1959 from Noel Davis to Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore
Noel Rockmore was born Noel Montgomery Davis to mother Gladys Rockmore Davis and father Floyd Davis in New York City. Rockmore was an American painter, draughtsman, and sculptor. He claims to have produced over fifteen thousand works of art in his lifetime...
. Her works continued to appear in major print media as illustrations for stories. Her husband Floyd Davis
Floyd MacMillan Davis
Floyd MacMillan Davis was an American painter and illustrator known for his work in advertising and illustration; Walter and Roger Reed described him as "someone who could capture the rich, beautiful people of the 1920s: dashing, mustachioed men; the cool, svelte women...
, retired from illustration and was one of the first members inducted into The Illustrators Hall of Fame
Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators is a professional society based in New York City. Founded in 1901, the mission of the Society is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration, as well as its history...
(external link). Gladys Rockmore Davis died at the French Hospital in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on February 16, 1967 with both of her children in town to be with her.