Great American Artists for Kids Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great American Masters

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. 

MaryAnn F. Kohl is the award-winning author of Discovering Great Artists, First Art, and Preschool Art. She lives in Bellingham, Washington. Kim Solga, watercolor artist and writer in Mt. Shasta, California, specializes in art with children. She is the creator of KidsArt.com art teaching supplies and writes hand-on art books, magazines, and art curriculum texts.