6 DIY Crafts Inspired by African American Artists You Should Know
The evolution of art has been trailblazed by countless African American artists who used their stories and the world we live in to put a stamp on history. In honor of Black History Month, we'll be shining a light on the talents and achievements of six of those artists who we believe embody what Kid Made Modern is all about; limitless creativity and the courage to express yourself freely. Meet six artists we love and try your hand at creating some of their incredible art using our craft prompts!
Amanda Gorman
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image credit
Starting with the latest art sensation Amanda Gorman, who gave us the poem we never knew we needed during President Joe Biden's Inauguration. Gorman is an activist, poet and made her debut as the first National Youth Poet Laureate with her now-iconic poem "The Hill We Climb Climb," which echoed the hope and progress we need in our nation.
Amanda Gorman Craft Prompt
Her craft prompt features the timely words spoken in her poem but feel free to add your own poem when recreating this prompt!
![Amanda Gorman Text](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/AmandaGorman_480x480.jpg?v=1612475974)
![Amanda Gorman Supplies - Kid Made Modern Water Color Pad](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/AmandaGormanSupplies_600x600.jpg?v=1612475989)
Kehinde Wiley
Artist Kehinde Wiley attends the Planned Parenthood's
2018 Spring Into Action Gala in New York on May 1, 2018.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images NBC News
Kehinde Wiley solidified his spot as one of history's most talented portrait artists when his painting of former President Barack Obama debuted in the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. His love for art started at 11 years old when he went on a school trip to a museum. He then enrolled in weekly art classes, and now the rest is history!
President Barack Obama © 2018 Kehinde Wiley National Portrait Gallery
Shantavia Beale II, (2012) news.artnet.com
Kehinde Wiley Craft Prompt
His craft prompt is inspired by, of course, portraits as well as the bold backdrops he's famous for.
![Frankie Puppet Design](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/KW_Self_Portrait_600x600.jpg?v=1612476227)
![Water Color Pad](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/KW_Supplies_240x240.jpg?v=1612476245)
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Photo, Esquire
With simple crayons and paper his father, an accountant, brought home for work, Basquiat's love of art began. At just six years old, he became a junior member of the Brooklyn Museum in New York City and, from there, started creating some of history's most eclectic art.
![Fliptop Notecard Box Art Design](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/JMB-_Trumpet_600x600.jpg?v=1612538194)
![Trumpet by Jean-Michel Basquiat](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/Extrait_de_Pez_Dispenser_600x600.jpg?v=1612538328)
Trumpet by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Extrait de Pez Dispenser
Jean-Michel Basquiat Craft Prompt
His craft prompt is inspired by a symbol he used so often in his art that it became a staple in pop culture; a crown.
![Printable Crown Box](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/JMB_Crown2_480x480.jpg?v=1612476598)
![Crown Box Craft Making](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/JMB_CrownSupplies_600x600.jpg?v=1612476680)
Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold 1993/AP Image
Faith Ringgold, an artist, and activist has received over 80 awards for the wow-factor art she's created over the last seven decades. Her love of art began when her father handed her an easel and paint as a child growing up in Harlem during the great depression. She's most famous for her quilted narrations and portraits.
Woman on Bridge, Guggenheim
Woman Face Mask Quilt, International Quilt Museum
Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt
Ringgold's craft prompt is inspired by her influence on mixed media.
![DIY Crafts Inspired](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4441_600x600.jpg?v=1612476915)
![Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4442_600x600.jpg?v=1612476928)
Almay Woodsey Thomas
Image Credit
In 1924, Almay Woodsey became Howard University's (Vice President Kamala Harris's alma mater) first fine arts graduate. She went on to teach art for decades before retiring and devoting herself to art full-time. That is when she developed the signature style that propelled her into a nationally recognized artist.
![Alma Thomas A Fantastic Sunset](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/Alma_Thomas_A_Fantastic_Sunset_600x600.jpg?v=1612540220)
![Alma Thomas Resurrection](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/Alma_Thomas_Resurrection_600x600.jpg?v=1612540250)
A Fantastic Sunrise
Resurrection
Almay Woodsey Thomas Craft Prompt
Thomas's craft prompt is inspired by her distinctive abstract art.
![Almay Woodsey Thomas Craft](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4450_600x600.jpg?v=1612477116)
![Mixed Paper Pad](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4454_600x600.jpg?v=1612477148)
Amy Sherald
Amy Sherald Photo
Much like Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald's portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama put a deserved spotlight on her monumental talent. Before her art debuted in the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, Sherald spent years telling African Americans' stories through the contrast of vibrant colors and grayscale skin tones.
![First Lady Michelle Obama](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/deliveryService_240x240.jpg?v=1612540398)
![Amy Sherald Painting](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/Amy_Sherald_Painting_240x240.jpg?v=1612540467)
Michelle Obama Portrait, National Portrait Gallery
Amy Sherald, “The Bathers”, 2015, Oil on canvas
Amy Sherald Craft Prompt
Sherald's craft prompt is an ode to her unique take on portraits.
![Patey Embroidery](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4445_600x600.jpg?v=1612477373)
![DIY Faith Ringgold Craft Prompt](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1568/1501/files/IMG_4448_600x600.jpg?v=1612477399)
We hoped you loved getting to know these incredible artists as much as we did and hope you have a blast creating these prompts. Be sure to share your creations with us using #gomakestuff on social media. We'd love to see it and share it with our KMM family!
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Such Inspiration for young crafters. I absolutely love these ideas. Beautiful job Kid Made Modern!!!!