Georgia O’Keeffe
Sky Above Clouds IV
My Shanty
Georgia O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe was born in 1887 in Wisconsin, United States.
Georgia O’Keeffe was an American artist who was known for her paintings of flowers (large format) and landscapes. Some of her most famous paintings are Jimson Weed, Black Iris, My Shanty, and Sky Above Clouds IV.
Her paintings used both abstract and concrete elements. Concrete means that objects can be recognized. Abstract means that there may be colors and forms, but nothing real can be seen in the pictures.
In 1972, O’Keeffe became partially blind. She painted her last, unassisted painting that same year. However, this did not diminish her will to create. With the help of several assistants, she continued to create late into life.
Black Iris
Jimson Weed
Suggested Activities:
O’Keeffe vs van Gogh
Compare and contrast O’Keeffe’s sunflower to that of Vincent van Gogh’s. Make a list of similarities and differences. Try to recreate the one you like best. Use your favourite medium.
Georgia O'Keeffe - A Sunflower From Maggie
Vincent van Gogh - Sunflowers
Sketch Pad
Create your own sketch of your favourite flower up close on paper.
Fun Tips:
When you are finished, to smooth out your pencil lines, try using a small amount of water on a small paintbrush.
Use parchment paper under your hand/wrist when drawing to prevent smudging.
Untitled (Lily)
Using your Senses
Georgia painted Untitled (City Night) after losing most of her sight. Challenge yourself to create something while blindfolded. Georgia relied on her memory and other senses to help her recreate familiar images. Use your favourite medium (pencil, crayons, oil pastels, etc.).
“I can see what I want to paint. The thing that makes you want to create is still there.”
Untitled (City Night)
Cut and Paste
Cut and paste your own large scale flower using recycled paper.
Ladder to the Moon
Create your own ladder to the moon using watercolours. Try using a combination of cool colours. When your painting is complete (and dry), glue on your ladder using popsicle sticks. For an extra challenge, take a photo of yourself reaching for the moon. Print it out and cut and paste your image to the top of the ladder.
Bonus - Create your own story to go along with your creation!
Ladder to the Moon
Landscapes
Find the background, midground and foreground in O’Keeffe’s landscape. Look out your window. Try and create your own landscape. Be sure to note how objects look in the background, the midground and the foreground. Think about space and depth, colour and texture, and how they all look and work depending on where they are used in your landscape. Use your favourite medium.
Red Hills with Pedernal, White Clouds