Bernard Clendenin: the Artist and the Man The career of Bernard Clendenin seems to have been planned but wasn't. At age sixteen he was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Art Students League (ASL), New York. He studied with the finest artists of the time: William McNulty, Jon Corbino, Robert Beverly Hale, Julian Levi and Frank Reilly to name a few. Norman Rockwell expressed interest in Clendenin's talent, asking him to spend a summer with him. After serving in the Army during WWII, Clendenin moved to California and worked in the space and missile industry. He joined Douglas Aircraft, starting their Technical Art Department for missiles and satellites. From his position, he was able to initiate their long running art shows. Two years later, he started the Tech Art Department for TRW. After four years he left Aerospace and became the Audio-Visual Supervisor per Naval Ships for Litton Industries. Asked to return to TRW, he designed, The Intelsat Chart created for sixty nations. President John F. Kennedy sent Clendenin a congratulatory letter praising the chart. Clendenin continued to paint and exhibit in many California museums and galleries. His art has shown in locations such as, Laguna Beach and Long Beach Art Museum, the Jewish Community Center of Los Angeles. A Fine Art Show hosted by Norm Nixon and Dr. William Hayling at the Roxbury, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California (1991) drew a crowd of over six hundred people. Clendenin was a member of the National Institute for Applied Behavioral Science and a former member of the National Defense Executive Reserve (FEMA). He worked for and with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and other organizations. He was most proud of starting the Fireman's fight resulting in litigation placing the city and county of Los Angeles under a twenty-five year court order to change their unlawful hiring practices against minorities. The injunction ending in recent years resulted in an integrated fire department, including women. Topping the list of his many passions was early childhood education. It is our hope the Adventures of the Yellow Beak Bird and her Friends prove entertaining while challenging the young reader's skills. Most of all, we hope The Yellow Beak Bird teaches compassion for all others. You can read more about his involvement in music, art, missiles, satellites, publishing of books, political expertise, management, television, his concern for the environment and see his art work by visiting his web site www.clendeninfineart.com