Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. His unmistakable brand of contemporary art astonished the New York scene by making the transition from graffiti artist to internationally acclaimed Neo-Expressionist. Basquiat drew inspiration from his upbringing and heritage. His art also honored the histories of African Americans.
To celebrate his work for #blackhistorymonth, you can draw outlines of his work with permanent marker, followed by inviting a child to color with tempera paint sticks. If the child is old enough you can print/laminate images of his art work as a provocation to inspire to draw like Basquiat. Tip: you can also save paper by creating a slide show of the images on your phone or computer.
The tempera sticks are perfect tooks to recreate similar techniques of his work. The sticks glide beautifully across the paper and dry in less than 90 seconds. No drips and no messy clean up. You can even use water to blend!
When children learn about artists the more well rounded and creative they become. Art is a fundamental component of early childhood. Exposure leads to seeing the beauty around them and in others. Art can be both rooted in history and a catalyst for change in a culture, which is why it is so important to expose children to all of the different forms of art. This will empower them to create and have an outlet to express feelings, thoughts, traditions and beliefs.
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