The evolution of art has been trailblazed by countless African American artists who used their stories and the world we live in to put a stamp on history. In honor of Black History Month, we'll be shining a light on the talents and achievements of six of those artists who we believe embody what Kid Made Modern is all about; limitless creativity and the courage to express yourself freely. Meet six artists we love and try your hand at creating some of their incredible art using our craft prompts! 

Amanda Gorman

 
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Amanda Gorman Craft Prompt
Her craft prompt features the timely words spoken in her poem but feel free to add your own poem when recreating this prompt!

 

 

Kehinde Wiley

Artist Kehinde Wiley attends the Planned Parenthood's
2018 Spring Into Action Gala in New York on May 1, 2018.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images NBC News

Kehinde Wiley solidified his spot as one of history's most talented portrait artists when his painting of former President Barack Obama debuted in the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. His love for art started at 11 years old when he went on a school trip to a museum. He then enrolled in weekly art classes, and now the rest is history! 

     

President Barack Obama © 2018 Kehinde Wiley National Portrait Gallery
Shantavia Beale II, (2012)  news.artnet.com

 

Kehinde Wiley Craft Prompt
His craft prompt is inspired by, of course, portraits as well as the bold backdrops he's famous for. 

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Photo, Esquire

With simple crayons and paper his father, an accountant, brought home for work, Basquiat's love of art began. At just six years old, he became a junior member of the Brooklyn Museum in New York City and, from there, started creating some of history's most eclectic art. 

   

Trumpet by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Extrait de Pez Dispenser

 

Jean-Michel Basquiat Craft Prompt

His craft prompt is inspired by a symbol he used so often in his art that it became a staple in pop culture; a crown. 

Faith Ringgold

Faith Ringgold 1993/AP Image

Faith Ringgold, an artist, and activist has received over 80 awards for the wow-factor art she's created over the last seven decades. Her love of art began when her father handed her an easel and paint as a child growing up in Harlem during the great depression. She's most famous for her quilted narrations and portraits. 

 

Woman on Bridge, Guggenheim
Woman Face Mask Quilt, International Quilt Museum 

Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt

Ringgold's craft prompt is inspired by her influence on mixed media. 

Almay Woodsey Thomas

Image Credit
 

In 1924, Almay Woodsey became Howard University's (Vice President Kamala Harris's alma mater) first fine arts graduate. She went on to teach art for decades before retiring and devoting herself to art full-time. That is when she developed the signature style that propelled her into a nationally recognized artist.

 

  

A Fantastic Sunrise
Resurrection

Almay Woodsey Thomas Craft Prompt

Thomas's craft prompt is inspired by her distinctive abstract art. 

 

 

 

Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald Photo

Much like Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald's portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama put a deserved spotlight on her monumental talent. Before her art debuted in the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, Sherald spent years telling African Americans' stories through the contrast of vibrant colors and grayscale skin tones. 

  

Michelle Obama Portrait, National Portrait Gallery
Amy Sherald, “The Bathers”, 2015, Oil on canvas

 

Amy Sherald Craft Prompt

Sherald's craft prompt is an ode to her unique take on portraits. 

 

We hoped you loved getting to know these incredible artists as much as we did and hope you have a blast creating these prompts. Be sure to share your creations with us using #gomakestuff on social media. We'd love to see it and share it with our KMM family!