Rolf Armstrong (1889 - 1960)
 

Born in Seattle, Armstrong moved to Chicago in 1908 and later enrolled in the Art institute, during which time he studied under John Vanderpoel.  Later moving to New York where he studied under Robert Henri.

During the coming years and throughout the 20s and 30s, his work was seen at theatres and on the covers of magazines, as well as being used on sheet music on a regular basis. 1927 seeing him as one of the best selling calendar artists at Brown and Bigelow, and also hired by RCA in 1930 to paint pinup art for their products, all of which provided sufficient funds to allow his Mansion on Little neck bay (Long Island) to host friends and use the lagoon for their boats, whilst the location itself proved ideal for his style, with him often painting his models outdoors.

Armstrong resolutely refused to paint from photographs, insisting the models he painted were stood before him so that he may capture the 'spontaneous joy that leaps from a young and happy heart'.