Black Artists Depicting Black Artists

Happy Black History Month 2022! Even though our website is dedicated to highlighting Black art history all year long, February is one of our favorite months. This year we're taking a look at Black visual artists who created works of art featuring other Black visual artists.
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Gwendolyn Knight & Augusta Savage

Talented painter Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence was mentored by renowned sculptor Augusta Savage at the Harlem Community Center during the Harlem Renaissance. They both created works of art of one another. Mrs. Savage was dedicated to her students and community. Mrs. Lawrence was also a dancer and amazing partner to her famous artist husband, Jacob Lawrence.

Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence (U.S.A., b. Barbados, 1913–2005), Augusta Savage, 1967. Oil on canvas. Gift of Dr. Herbert J. Kayden and Family in memory of Dr. Gabrielle H. Reem. © 2018 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York, 2013.91.

Augusta Savage, Gwendolyn Knight, 1934–35. Courtesy of the Walter O. Evans Collection of African American Art.

James Van Der Zee & Basquiat

At age 95, prominent photographer James Van Der Zee photographed 21 year old self-taught artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Van Der Zee spent his career capturing the beauty of Black people and culture using photography. Basquiat was a dynamic abstract painter who experienced world-wide acclaim while he was alive.

James Van Der Zee (American, 1886–1983), Jean-Michel Basquiat , 1982, gelatin silver print, 10 x 7.87 in. (25.4 x 20 cm.)

Laura Wheeler Waring & Alma Thomas

Laura Wheeler Waring was a prominent portrait painter of distinguished African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. She was also an educator who enjoyed a long teaching career. Alma Thomas was also a committed educator who prioritized her teaching career above exhibiting her exciting abstract paintings for many years.

Laura Wheeler Waring, Portrait of a Lady, 1947, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Vincent Melzac, 1977.121

Beauford & Joseph Delaney

Beauford and Joseph Delaney were artistic brothers who garnered attention in New York during and after the Harlem Renaissance. While both artists painted a large collection of portraits, Beauford explored abstract expression in his work. He also lived in Paris and developed a close friendship with famed author, James Baldwin. Joseph taught art in New York and later became an artist-in-residence at the University of Tennessee.

Image of a portrait of Joseph Delaney by Beauford Delaney in Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney by David A. Leeming (Discovered on http://lesamisdebeauforddelaney.blogspot.com)

​Take a look at the art resources below to learn more about these artists. What do you think of this collection of images? Which piece is your favorite? Comment below. 

Great African-American Artists Memory Game

$8.99

Using this game is a fun way to teach students in grades K-12 about prominent African-American artists who have contributed to the development of visual arts in the United States. 

This Set Includes:
• Lesson Ideas & Directions
• 26 Pairs of Artist Portrait Cards
• 26 Artist Facts Cards
• Back Side of Cards Sheet 

Featured Artists:

Alma Thomas
Augusta Savage
Clementine Hunter
Edmonia Lewis
Elizabeth Catlett
Faith Ringgold 
Gwendolyn Knight
Harriet Powers
Lois Mailou Jones 
Margaret Burroughs
Meta Warrick Fuller
Minnie Evans
Selma Burke
Aaron Douglas
Beauford Delaney
Charles White
Gordon Parks
Hale Woodruff
Henry O. Tanner
Horace Pippin
Hughie –Lee Smith
Jean-Michel Basquiat
John Biggers
Richmond Barthe
Romare Bearden
William H. Johnson

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Rainbow Shapes Collage Art Lesson

$3.99

Inspired by Alma Thomas’ Untitled Abstract paintings, this lesson is a way great to help young artists develop fine motor skills. While this lesson was designed for young artists in primary grades, it can be tailored to use with older artists. Visit www.artforthecreativesoul.com to find more art lessons, resources and tips.

This Resource Includes:

·      Lesson Prep/Tips

·      Rainbow Shapes Collage Art Lesson (with step-by-step photos)

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Great African-American Artists Coloring & Activity Book 2.0

$19.99

Our latest coloring book features another group of amazing African-American visual artists. This resource is a great way to introduce students to artists such as:

Nancy Prophet
Edward Mitchell Bannister
Robert Scott Duncanson
Vivian Schuyler Key
Beauford Delaney
William H, Johnson
Gordon Parks
Margaret Taylor-Burroughs
Norman Lewis
Charles Alston
Varnette Honeywood
Carl Owens
Eugene Grigsby
Allan Crite
Annie Lee
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Great African-American Artists Coloring & Activity Book

$19.99

 This newest release compliments the art lesson book, Great Art Lessons for the Creative Soul by Alicia L. McDaniel. Each artist is highlighted with a coloring portrait sheet, biographical info, research questions and a simple art activity. There are cross-curricular connections to music, technology, science, social studies and ELA. 

The Featured Artists are:
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Romare Bearden
Selma Burke
Elizabeth Catlett
Aaron Douglas
Minnie Evans
Meta Warrick Fuller
Clementine Hunter
Lois Mailou Jones
Gwendolyn Knight
Jacob Lawrence
Edmonia Lewis
Palmer Hayden
Sargent Claude Johnson
Horace Pippin
Harriet Powers
Faith Ringgold
Augusta Savage
Hughie Lee Smith
Henry O. Tanner
Alma Thomas
Laura Wheeler Waring
Charles White
Ellis Wilson
Hale Woodruff

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Alma Thomas Portrait Art

$6.99

Celebrate great women artists with our Alma Thomas Portrait Art Print by Alicia L. McDaniel. You can print this PDF formatted portrait art on your personal printer or take it to a print shop to print a different size. Explore our website to find more art education resources featuring Alma Thomas.

 

This Art Resource Includes:

·      Artist Biographical Info

·      Alma Thomas Portrait Art Print (Total Print Size, including border, is 8.5” x 11”)

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