Great American Artists

Description

Fun and easy art-appreciation activities abound in this resource that features 75 American artists from colonial times to the present. A brief biography for each artist tells why his or her work is important, and a kid-tested art activity tries out the artist’s approach. For Georgia O’Keeffe, children will explore the concept of distance and foreground in a desert painting. To understand Frederic Remington’s sculptures, they will create a face cast. Leroy Nieman will inspire a sketch of athletes. And for James Whistler, children will explore portraiture.

Projects stress the creative process and encourage kids to try unusual techniques such as block printing, soak-stain, and stone carving as they learn about architecture, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Great American Artists for Kids includes easy-to-follow icons to indicate the experience, preparation, and materials necessary for each project, as well as guides to the style, movement, or era of each artist. Resources include websites for further research or artworks, a glossary, and a list of artists by style.

Free BONUS Art Activities not included in Great American Artists for Kids

Serigraph Stencil – based on the art of Mary Corita Kent

Grow a Silly Self – based on the art of Robert Arneson

Photorealist Hand Sculpture – based on the art of Duane Hanson

1,2,3, Gesture Drawing – based on the art of Thomas Eakins

Meaningful Collage – based on the art of Robert Rauschenberg