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Abstract art project for kids, Arthur Dove, crayon abstract art project for kids

Arthur Dove Abstract Art Project for Kids

Posted on January 14, 2013July 11, 2022 by Pragmatic Mom

Abstract Art by Kids inspired by Arthur Dove

The art of Arthur Dove (August 2, 1880 – November 23, 1946) at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is child-like, is it not? Ok, maybe a really talented child. He is considered the first American abstract painter. The girls and I found him on the third floor of the new American wing’s Modernist collection. We hunt down PickyKidPix‘s favorite artist, Jackson Pollock, whose No. 10, 1949 hangs there too.

Jackson Pollack, Number 9, Museum of Fine Arts,

Modernist Artist Arthur Dove (a little art history)

This is the painting that caught my eye. With just simple shapes and a few colors, Dove conveys a nature scene. I love the colors and its simplicity.

Evening Blue, 1941. In this lyrical composition, Dove solidified moonlight into distinct planes and geometric shapes. The deep cobalt tones evoke the color of the night sky. Museum of Fine Arts Plate

Arthur Dove abstract art project for kids, Arthur Dove abstract art project for children, Arthur Dove abstract art project for preschool

There were more!

Arthur Dove, kids art project inspired by Arthur Dove

abstract artist Arthur Dove

Dancing Willows, about 1944. Dove explored the problem of representing motion, dance, and music throughout his career. In his latest work, the artist used planes of color to evoke the shifting, intersecting patterns of light and shade, as a group of willow trees sways in the breeze. Museum of Fine Arts Plate

Arthur Dove, abstract art projects for kids

That Red One, 1944. Around 1910 Dove began to experiment with abstraction — one of the very first Americans to do so. He continued to explore non-representational styles throughout his career, but his images always retained some grounding in nature. Near the end of his life, he painted this simple, compelling image, possibly based on sunrise over the water. Dove spoke of wanting to show “the point where reality and abstraction meet.” Museum of Fine Arts Plate

 

Abstract Art Project for Kids Based on Arthur Dove

I wanted to use seashells as the focal point of an art project based on the art of Arthur Dove. Use any seashell you want. Here are some we have in our house. Now, imagine a beach scene and draw or paint in the style of Arthur Dove.

sea urchin shell art project for kids, Arthur Dovestar fish shell art project for kids, arthur dove art project for kidsAbstract sea shell art project for kids based on Arthur Doveabstract art for kids, abstract art project for preschool, sea shell abstract art project for kidssea urchin shell art project for kids, abstract art projects for kids, art projects for children

Can you imagine a beach scene or would you prefer to have a photo? Here are some images.

Can you combine a sea shell and a beach scene into your own composition? You can make it up or use these photos.

sea birds at shore

egret or heron

hawaii beach

poipu beach hawaii

Now, let’s try making a drawing or painting in the style of Arthur Dove using his ideas like:

  • Simple shapes
  • Strong colors
  • Different shades of one color

Try using just a few colors. We are going to try this with crayons but oil pastel or paint would work well too!

Use any medium you like!

You could also just cut shapes out of construction paper.

Use what you have and what inspires you.

There are no rules here except one: Have Fun!

Here’s what we came up with:

Abstract art project for kids, Arthur Dove, crayon abstract art project for kids

Abstract art project for kids, Arthur Dove, crayon abstract art project for kids

Abstract art project for kids, Arthur Dove, crayon abstract art project for kids

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Art with Kids on Pinterest.



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15 thoughts on “Arthur Dove Abstract Art Project for Kids”

  1. Asianmommy says:
    January 14, 2013 at 8:22 am

    Beautiful pictures–what a nice project!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 15, 2013 at 7:50 am

      Thanks Asian Mommy,
      I had not heard of Arthur Dove before but I love his work and I hope he gets more recognition. We did that project using crayon but any kind of paint would be great too.

      Reply
  2. Winnie says:
    January 14, 2013 at 8:46 am

    What a fun idea! Love that piece by Pollock. They made such lovely art and best of all, they had fun. Start them early at the museums and they will enjoy them for a lifetime.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 15, 2013 at 8:01 am

      Hi Winnie,
      It’s funny but my kids don’t like the Contemporary Art museum in Boston, just the Museum of Fine Arts. The more contemporary art was too strange for them. My youngest, age 8, has the least patience for art museums. We are hoping that will change because he’s so bored and annoying at art museums that he cuts the trip short for everyone else.

      Reply
  3. Jeanette Nyberg says:
    January 14, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Love these! What a great idea, and I wasn’t really familiar with his work, but I’m kinda liking it. Abstract art is my fav. We’ll try this approach- I just have to dig out some shells from somewhere.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 15, 2013 at 8:04 am

      Hi Jeanette,
      You can use the photos of the shells if you like. Or omit them altogether. Or add in a piece of wood or a leaf (or anything). The idea for the shell was just to have the kid use it to compose his or her own composition and have an interesting shape to work with. But, some of the beach images might work too as is.

      Reply
  4. Catherine Johnson says:
    January 14, 2013 at 9:15 am

    Beautiful pictures, I love impressionism and I always doodled at school. I wish I’d dared to paint abstracts, that would be a heavenly life!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 15, 2013 at 8:47 am

      Hi Catherine,
      Thanks so much! I’m hoping to give Arthur Dove some attention! He’s our new discovery from the Museum of Fine Arts. Abstract painting is surprisingly a challenge but I think kids have a leg up on that! They seem to be more versatile at art than us adults.

      Reply
  5. maryanne @ mama smiles says:
    January 14, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I’ll have to show this post to my six-year-old – I bet she would enjoy this activity!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 15, 2013 at 8:50 am

      Hi MaryAnne,
      Please let me know if your daughter likes the art project. I’d love to include her art here if she does end up doing it!

      Reply
  6. maggy, red ted art says:
    January 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Another wonderful and beautiful art project. Do love the bright simple colours the kids chose.

    Thanks for joining in with Kids Get Arty.

    Maggy

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 18, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Thanks for hosting the link up Maggy! I’m so glad you like Arthur Dove too! He’s the U.S.’s first Abstract Impressionist artist.

      Reply
      1. maggy, red ted art says:
        January 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm

        My pleasure. So lovely seeing everyone’s projects. I really do LOVE Kids Get Arty, thanks to all your contributions!

        Reply
  7. Ann says:
    January 19, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    Discovered Arthur Dove too at the MFA! I think it is a great idea to start with shells to crate an abstract piece!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 20, 2013 at 9:46 am

      Hi Ann,
      He’s not well known, don’t you think? But he should be! I think his work is so wonderful! How often do you make it to the MFA? We are lucky to go 2 to 3 times a year.

      Reply

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