After walking through the gallery and examining portraits in pencil, watercolor, pastels and other mediums, the children visited the museum's lab to learn more about the differences between abstract art and realistic art. While some artists create portraits true to life, abstract artists, Taylor said, might use geometric shapes such as squares or triangles to represent facial features. I think if they understand the process, they come to appreciate the style more. It's not as easy as it looks. Taylor encouraged her 10 pupils to experiment with the abstract style by creating their own self-portraits with pastels.
Color also is important, particularly with self-portraits.
Someone afraid of the water might not like blues, she said, or someone who fears staying in a hospital may not like white because it reminds them of the coats doctors wear. The portraits ranged from cartoon-like happy faces to dark, brooding images, which is what the activity is all about, Lutz said. Studying works of other artists also helps them to mentally connect with historical time periods and develop more sophisticated problem-solving skills, she said. For more than a year, the AMOA has been working with children from the Maverick Club. Lutz said she hopes this year that the art program can continue through the summer months.