Matisse, like many artists, told stories through his art. Even at age 81 (while he was confined to his bed), he created his paper cut-out The Thousand and One Nights. In telling the classic tale Arabian Nights through his art, Matisse used pictures instead of words. Your child can do the same – just, with her own story.
What can your child learn during this activity? This kids’ collage activity combines art with math and literacy learning. Not only can your child build her fine motor skills and explore artistic expression, but she’ll also problem-solve, learn about shape and space and get more comfortable with the narrative structure. That’s right, she’ll create her own Matisse-esque collage, straight from her own story.
What story should your child tell? That depends. She can pick a story from a book or make up her own tale. Ours is based on the season! Instead of just creating one, we made two sunny summer scenes. Your child can create one collage, or line up a few on a larger piece of paper (such as poster
board) make an oversized artwork – like Matisse did with The Thousand and One Nights.
After coming up with a story to tell, ask your child to break it down into the beginning, middle and end. Write down the characters, the setting and have your child explain the plot. Use those specific words (characters, setting and plot) to build up your child’s vocabulary.
Matisse Art for Kids
Now, it’s time to start the art-making! You’ll Need:
- Card stock paper in different colors
- Scissors
- Clear-drying school glue
Cut out shapes. These can include geometric shapes (such as circles, triangles and squares) or your child can create free-formed organic shapes (squiggles and cloud-like or amoeba-like shapes). As she cuts out the shapes, have her compare the cut-out with what it was cut from. Putting the two
pieces side-by-side helps your child to better understand the concept of positive and negative space. The cut-out is the positive part, while the empty area left behind (where it was cut from) is the negative space. Use both pieces in the collage.
Pick out which pieces can help to tell the story.
Glue the shapes onto a solid piece of card stock. Combine different colors, different shapes and the negative space cut-outs too.
Hang up the artwork. Encourage your child to tell her story, pointing out the different elements in her collage!
Famous Artists Projects for Kids
- Matisse Valentine's Day Art Project
- Hidden Mickey Inspired Pointilism Melted Crayon Art
- Van Gogh Starry Night Project
Erica Loop is a mom, parenting writer and educator with an MS in child development. When she's not teaching, she's busy writing kids' activities for her blog Mini Monets and Mommies. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram.
