Size - Georgia O'Keeffe

(Art To Remember)

If we work with the element of Space and Size we could change the look of art significantly. Space/Size is the 4th Element of Art and it offers many interesting opportunities to enhance shapes in our drawings. What if we zoom far out? What if we zoom in?

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986)

Georgia O'Keeffe studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and at the Art school in New York, where she was quick to master realism. Realism is painting exactly what one see’s in real life. She taught art in schools for many years while practicing painting in her own new way.

In the mid-1920s, O’Keeffe first began painting New York skyscrapers as well as large-scale flowers, shells, animal bones and skulls. She painted these as if seen close up like through a magnifying lens. While painting in this new zoomed in way, details and bright colors seemed to jump off the canvas! Her style made everyone see the tiny details in the world all around us.

These are among her best-known pictures, and she became recognized as one of America’s most important and successful artists.

Project Sheet - Art To Remember!

Lets try to paint the same way and style as Georgia O’Keeffe, like looking through a magnifying glass or zooming in to an image or object.

*Think of something you would find in nature such as a flower, leaves, rocks or plants.

2. On the paper provided, use our special crayons (oil pastels) to lightly sketch a zoomed in image. Use light colors first then dark. After the image is clear, start filling in with some more oils and smear.

3. Now, we will add water color paint to show a mixed media affect (2 different types of materials).