10 Amazing Art Projects by Women Artists
This Women’s Day, celebrate some amazing female artists who’ve broken boundaries with art. Get kids started with our Amazing Art Projects by Women Artists.
“At the end of the day we can endure much more than we think we can.” ~ Frida Kahlo
The wonderful thing about art is that it means something different to every person. For some, it may be an expression of happiness. For another, it may be an escape from pain. For still another, it may be a way to communicate a message. Whatever it is, dedicating your life to art and getting known as an artist is hard work.
This hard work is made more difficult when the artist in question is a woman. Not only does she have to fight for a place in a male dominated field, she is also criticized excessively for any message she tries to convey or any story she tries to tell.
That’s why our women artists are so much more special and deserve more adulation than the rest. And we can’t think of a better opportunity than International Women’s Day to do this! The theme for 2020 is Generation Equality, and I think female artists are a great way to celebrate this. Here are art projects based on works of 10 famous female artists, who’ve worked very hard to get the recognition they have.
10 Amazing Art Projects by Women Artists
1. Frida Kahlo
When speaking of women artists or feminist icons, one of the first names that comes to mind is Frida Kahlo. The Mexican artist saw a lot of pain in her life, and she derived from it to produce some of the most amazing art, especially based on Mexican culture. She was married to the famous painter Diego Rivera, and the painting ‘Frida and Diego Rivera’ was made shortly after their wedding. Recreate this painting with a skeletal edge, with a colorful paper collage from Modern Art 4 Kids.
2. Georgia O’Keeffe
Everyone loves flowers, but American artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s love is beyond just love – it bordered on worship. She studied them in great detail and painted them much larger than life, so everyone could see the beauty she saw. Painted Paper Art celebrates her love for flowers with an art project called O’Keeffe’s Poppies.
3. Sonia Delaunay
A mother’s work is underestimated a lot in our society. Sonia Delaunay was one such mother, who did something many mothers do – making a quilt for her baby – but Sonia’s quilt turned into art! The first living female artist to have an exhibition at the Louvre, this Ukrainian-born artist was among the pioneers of Orphism, which involved bright colors. This abstract art project from Deep Space Sparkle is a beautiful way to celebrate colors and get some cutting exercise.
4. Laurel Burch
Single Moms don’t have it easy anywhere, but when you’re an unemployed single Mom of two toddlers, only 20 years old, with estranged parents and a debilitating bone disease, it seems like the odds are stacked against you. However, American artist Laurel Burch decided to fight her way through all her difficulties, making her an amazing example for the women of today. Art Projects for Kids celebrates Laurel’s love for colors and cats in a simple Laurel Burch Cat Drawing art project.
5. Mary Blair
Everyone remembers the iconic pumpkin sequence in the Disney movie Cinderella, but few know that Mary Blair was the original artist for it! Working in America in the forties, Mary Blair had to struggle in a male-dominated industry. Art Campla has an easy DIY Sticker Castle project that is reminiscent of Disney castles which is based on Blair’s impressive work, “It’s a Small World”, at Disneyland.
6. Mary Cassatt
Sometimes, revolutions can be silently fought, slowly and subtly making way for change in society. American artist Mary Cassatt is of this kind of revolutionist, or in better words, a feminist. She used her art to show women’s role in society, focusing particularly on mothers and children. Cassatt is referred to as one of the “les trois grandes dames” or Three Great Dames of Impressionism. This Shaving Cream Impressionist Painting art project from Meaningful Mama captures the effect of impressionist art beautifully.
7. Yayoi Kusama
From having an abusive childhood to spending teen years sewing parachutes for soldiers in World War II to attempting suicide multiple times, Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has been through a lot. But through everything, her art stood with her, and she used it not only as a refuge, but also to be a statement about her opinions on everything from philosophy to politics. This Dotted pumpkins art project from Art is Basic is evocative of her iconic style of playing with dots.
8. Berthe Morisot
Some people have the opinion that being born in a rich and well known family gives you an edge over the patriarchy, but French artist Berthe Morisot knew by experience that this was not true. Loving art from childhood, she struggled to be taken seriously as an artist, and much of her work was labelled ‘feminine’. She wrote that all she wanted was to be be treated equal to a man. However, Morisot persisted and she is known today as one of the Three Dames of Impressionism. This art project on Morisot flower bouquets from Painted Paper Art is representative of her particular style.
For people who think women should sit coyly, demurely holding a paintbrush in their delicate fingers and painting on an easel, Helen Frankenthaler will come as a shock! Everything about this American artist’s work spells freedom and openness, especially since her style of painting was rather unconventional. Crayola brings alive this technique with a flowing paint art project.
10. Alma Thomas
Being a woman in the early 1900s and trying to make a name as an artist is difficult on its own. But when you’re an African American woman, that difficulty gets compounded, as American artist Alma Thomas knew too well. Growing up in segregated America wasn’t easy, but she still managed to study art and get recognized. A lot of her work draws upon West African art for inspiration, like this Color Field Painting project from Woo Jr. Alma Thomas paintings decorate the walls of the White House, and this particular one was chosen by Michelle Obama during Black History Month.
Whether it’s Friday’s fiery fight, Cassatt’s subtle messaging or Burch’s struggle against adversities, each and every one of these women have made their way on sheer grit and talent. Their stories are an inspiration for boys and girls today, and show us that believing in yourself will get you the success you deserve!
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