Back to American History 2 Books & Resources

American Artist Study

I think it's important to not only learn about American history events, but to also learn about American culture. I've created a very tweakable, hands-on study to help Otter become more familiar with American artists and their works while studying American history.

The Great American Artists study is optional. I’ve scheduled in one artist and related activities per week from the book Great American Artists.
The way I’ve scheduled it, your child will be introduced to each artist by listening to you read several short paragraphs. Then s/he will view some of the artist’s work. There is usually a full color example in the book we are using as well as Internet links to pictures that have been screened by the author as well as additional sites or images I may have found. After viewing the material there will be an art activity that helps your child explore the artist’s style. Included are photos of other children’s completed work for inspiration.
Because the book introduces 75 different artists, you won’t be covering them all. I’ve tried to choose a variety of artists and activities, but you can go through the book (or other sources) and plug in your favorites.
I’ve scheduled in notebooking pages for each artist, but consider those optional based on the amount of time you have available and your student’s interest.
I list the supplies you need for each activity in the notes section below each week’s schedule. I’ve also scheduled in a extra books to help make your study more rich and to add more options.

Feel free to schedule in any artists you wish. Here are the artists I've scheduled in for the year:

1. Gilbert Stuart
   
2. Frederic Remington
   
3. Mary Cassatt
   
4. Harriet Powers
   
5. Currier & Ives
   
6. James McNeill Whistler
7. William Sidney Mount
8. John Singer Sargent
9. Louis Comfort Tiffany
10. Edward Hopper
11. George Bellows
12. Rube Goldberg
13. Maria Martinez
14. Hans Hofman
15. Grant Wood
16. Joseph Cornell
17. Grandma Moses
18. Horace Pippin
19. Frank Lloyd Wright
20. Gutzon Borglum
21. Charles Biederman
22. Barbara Cooney
23. Jackson Pollock
24. Theodor Seuss Geisel
25. Wayne Thiebaud
26. Jasper Johns
27. Roy Lichtenstein
28. Ruth Asawa
29. Elizabeth Catlett
30. LeRoy Neiman
31. Keith Haring
32. Norman Rockwell
33. Andy Warhol

Weeks 34-38 Choose the artists

is for resources that should be available at most well-stocked libraries. The other icons are explained by the text right next to them.

Great American Artists

This award winning book is a terrific resource. Visit the author's website for sample activities (view the PDF's for the best quality) as well as an online section with links.

"Bright Ring Publishing is very proud to introduce its first "full-color throughout" publication, just packed with original children's art and fabulous art images of the work of great American masters.

This creative collection of over 75 easy art appreciation activities celebrates the greatest American artists of all time, including Grandma Moses, Dale Chihuly, Ansel Adams, Maya Lin, Wolf Kahn, Georgia O'Keeffe, Currier & Ives and many more. Special bonus art options for the very young artist are included. Each child-tested activity presents a biography with full color artwork and techniques covering painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, architecture, and more!" Quoted from BrightRing.com

Activity book

National Gallery of Art Gilbert Stuart Printable "Pull-Out"

This full color 3 page printable shows some of Stuart's printables and has an activity at the end.

Mary Cassatt (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Otter LOVES books by Mike Venezia. They are colorful, interesting and humorous.

Artist info and art

Squidoo website with lots of links and info about Mary Cassatt

Jimmie, a homeschooling mom made an excellent page with lots of Mary Cassatt related goodies including links to videos and printables.

Stitching Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers (African-American Artists and Artisans)

I can't find this book new anywhere, but your local library may have it.

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Interactive Edward Hopper website

Hopper coloring page (optional)

Artist info and art

Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood

For students who want a bit more information, this book is just a step below a chapter book.

Artist info and art

The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Picture book, Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Art Ed Books and Kit: Roy Lichtenstein (Art ed Kits)

"The Art Ed Books and Kits include: paper, non-toxic paint, oil pastels, pencils, brushes, palettes, glue—whatever the artist actually uses or used. In addition, a 24-page full-color book in each kit provides a biography of the artist and discusses his or her life and career, with full-color art reproductions as well as photographs of the artist in the studio. And, an 8-page activity book provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to help children create their own masterpieces.

Each kit is approved by the individual artist or his/her estate.

With Art Ed Books and Kits, children not only learn about great artists, they can learn to paint like them, too. Art Ed is the ideal kit for any aspiring artist!

A portion of the proceeds from Art Ed Books and Kits benefits Studio in A School.

Each kit: Art supplies, 24-page full-color book, 8-page activity book, fold-out frame." Quote from Amazon.com

History and Art Kit with supplies

Artist info and art

Artist info and art

Picture book (based on a true story)

Artist info and art

Other NON-scheduled resources you can use during this portion of the study: