6 Diy Crafts Inspired By African American Artists You Should Know

6 DIY Crafts Inspired by African American Artists You Should Know

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

 
image credit

Starting with the latest art sensation Amanda Gorman, who gave us the poem we never knew we needed during President Joe Biden's Inauguration. Gorman is an activist, poet and made her debut as the first National Youth Poet Laureate with her now-iconic poem "The Hill We Climb Climb," which echoed the hope and progress we need in our nation. 
 

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!

Amanda Gorman Text
Amanda Gorman Supplies - Kid Made Modern Water Color Pad

 

 


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! 

Shining Star Winter Craft Kit
     
Shantavia-Beale

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. 

Frankie Puppet Design
Water Color Pad



 

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. 

Fliptop Notecard Box Art Design
   
Trumpet by Jean-Michel Basquiat
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. 

Printable Crown Box
Crown Box Craft Making

Faith Ringgold

Tar Beach

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
 
The Woman Mask Face Quilt

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. 

DIY Crafts Inspired
Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt

Almay Woodsey Thomas

Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt

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.

 
Alma Thomas A Fantastic Sunset
  
Alma Thomas Resurrection

A Fantastic Sunrise
Resurrection

Almay Woodsey Thomas Craft Prompt

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

Almay Woodsey Thomas Craft
Mixed Paper Pad

 

 

 

Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald Photo

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. 

First Lady Michelle Obama
  
Amy Sherald Painting

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. 

Patey Embroidery
DIY Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt

 


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! 

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1 comment

Such Inspiration for young crafters. I absolutely love these ideas. Beautiful job Kid Made Modern!!!!

Lori Incandela

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