Artist study is a term that gets thrown around a lot – but many only teach the masters. And when we say masters, we usually mean white male Europeans. Or something like this. And kids usually react by swearing off art forever.
I’m not going to tell you to swear off Monet, or not to see the fancy Van Gogh exhibition, but – what if artist study meant a little more?
To me, artist studies should include a wide variety of artists of all different races, genders, ethnicities, and any other category I do not mention. It should be varied, in order to teach kids that art is everywhere. Art isn’t only in museums, on the wall, and with paint. Art is:
- On buildings, as a mural
- In sculpture – both inside, outside, and made of many materials, both natural and manmade
- In books, as illustrations
- On a screen, as digital creations
- On board games and card games
- Made of fabric and other fiber arts
- and the list goes on.
When we only study the masters, we run the risk of not seeing art wherever we are.
We run the risk of thinking of art as someone who sits in a studio, with a paintbrush in hand. And when we teach artists that are more relevant to kids – their views can change quickly.
During Women’s History Month, there are countless women I can think of who have made contributions to art, as well as science, math, literature, and everything in between.
Here’s a quick list of 5 contemporary women artists to know who are making art – right now.
We were honored to have these 5 women in our Glitterbombers membership, so that kids around the world could create art projects inspired by their work.
Click their names to head to their websites and get inspired! Let us know in the comments below if you’d like to see more of these in the future! Where permitted, we’ve shared their work directly.
5 Contemporary Women Artists to Know and Art Projects Inspired by Them
Michelle Fleur
Michelle is an Australian based artist known for her love and watercolor paintings of whales. Her conservation efforts through the 100 Whales Project caught my attention quickly. Not only did she paint 100 beautiful watercolor whales, she also donated the money sold to fund whale conservation.
We wanted to bring her whales to our members by using a less often used medium in the art room – watercolor pencils. Our members can create one, or create a collaborative project – much in the way that Michelle brought her 100 whales to others.
Layla Nowras
Layla is an Iraqi artist known for her incredible paisley florals. When we were designing a project for the infamous Hanging Gardens of Babylon, we knew that her rainbow florals would be just the thing to bring this structure to life. (Did you know there’s no archaeological evidence it even existed?)
She also specializes in paintings of Iraqi women, and Iraqi culture using soft and flowing colors that blend in seamlessly with the background.
Courtney Mattison
When we were working on our Coral Reefs bundle, we knew we had to involve artist and sculptor Courtney Mattison. Courtney is an ocean advocate, creating elaborate reef sculptures showing the bleaching of the coral and the effects of climate change.
Learning how to create a relief was perfect to highlight this environmental artist. In the same way that coral reefs build upon each other one bit at a time, this project does too. And best of all – no kiln needed. This project is with air dry clay so anyone can do it at home, off of a cart, or in an art room with no kiln.
Iris Scott
Iris Scott is known for a painting style that we often feel ends at preschool – finger painting. Known as an Instinctual artist, Iris paints detailed and lush paintings of flowers, cacti, animals, landscapes and more. One of her most well-known works is that of her dogs, shaking off the water in a spray of color.
When students are getting to those ages where “that’s for kids and I’m a big person” is starting to rear its head, having them finger paint while studying Iris Scott’s work is such a beautiful way to show them differently.
In our Rainforests bundle, we chose to bring her playful fingerpainting spirit to light with an elephant taking a bath!
Kimberly Leahey
As a child of the 80s, it’s impossible for me to resist the allure of neon colors. When I came across Kimberly’s work, complete with glowing colors, I knew we had to feature her in our bundles.
In our bundle titled In the Dark, we wanted to highlight bioluminescence, in particular some of these beautiful jellyfish that are found all over the world. The jellyfish are created with one of our favorite new art supplies – Full Touch Fluorescent Chalk. A box is perfect for a home – or for a classroom.
Telling kids that these artists are creating – right now – is a beautiful way to help them connect with the world. These are only 5 of the women artists that we feature inside our Glitterbombers Membership, so it’s only scratching the surface here. We love including the Masters, but we are more than Monet.
Art is everywhere, and we hope to inspire and take you along for the ride.
Join the Glitterbombers Membership!
This are only some of the many diverse art lessons in the Glitterbombers Membership. Hundreds more art projects, videos, and resources at your fingertips for whatever you’re studying, or whatever art concept you’re ready to teach. Head here to hop on the waitlist and find out when we open next!
And click right here to be taken to another contemporary woman artist – Ines Alvidres and a gorgeous Twilight Cactus that you’ll love.
Tell us below – do you have any contemporary women artists to know we should feature in an upcoming bundle?