artists – Charles County Public Library

Happy Birthday Vincent Van Gogh

webadmin — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:00:17 +0000

Who was Vincent Van Gogh?

Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter who is considered to be one of the most famous and influential painters of all time. He was born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands, and died on July 29, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. He created over 2,000 pieces of art, many of which were created in the last two years of his life, including his most well-known, The Starry Night.

Art View

Let’s take a look at a few of Van Gogh’s most well-known paintings and a few of his least-known artworks. Which are familiar to you?

Views of Roofs and Back Houses, 1886

Le Blute-Fin Mill, 1886

The Hill of Montmartre with Quarry, 1886

Bridges across the Seine at Asnières, 1887

Japonaiserie: Flowering Plum Tree, 1887

Still Life with French Novels and a Rose, 1887

La Berceuse (Augustine Roulin),1889

Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, 1887

Bedroom in Arles, 1888

Café Terrace at Night, 1888

Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin, 1889

Starry Night Over the Rhône, 1888

Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, 1889

Wheat Field with Cypresses, 1889

The Starry Night, 1889

Books to help you really get to know Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh: He Saw the World in Vibrant Colors by Amy Guglielmo

Young children can meet Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and learn what led him to paint his striking self-portraits and the landscapes that inspired his iconic Wheat Fields.

Goodnight, Starry Night by Julie Appel

Say goodnight and celebrate art in this creative peek-through format! Ignite an early love of art and send little ones gently off to sleep as you whisper, Peek-a-Boo Art! Includes work from: Vincent van Gogh, Diego Rivera, Berthe Morisot, and more

An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists and Their Work by the National Gallery of Art

Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full color images, this family-oriented art resource introduces children to more than 50 great artists and their work, with corresponding activities and explorations that inspire artistic development, focused looking, and creative writing.

Vincent Van Gogh by Eileen Lucas

Follows the life and artistic development of the painter who moved from Belgium and Holland to France, was influenced by Impressionism, and eventually created his own unique style.

Who Can Save Vincent’s Hidden Treasure? by Thomas Brezina

In Thomas Brezina’s latest interactive adventure readers will discover the power and beauty of Van Gogh’s brilliant palette, and learn about the artist’s work, life and times.

Get into Art: Places by Susie Brooks.

Introduces readers to works of art featuring “places” by such esteemed artists as Vincent van Gogh, Juan Gris, Paul Klee, Katsushika Hokusai, Raoul Dufy, Wassily Kandinsky, L.S. Lowry, Abraham Ortelius, Stuart Davis, Rene Magritte and provides instruction for “place” centered art projects.

The Children’s Book of Art by Rosie Dickins

An introduction to painting which covers the works of such famous artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. Includes Internet links.

Van Gogh by Mike Venezia.

Briefly examines the life and work of the nineteenth-century Dutchman who was one of the greatest artists of all time.

Van Gogh by Enrica Crispino

Introduces the life and works of nineteenth century artist, Vincent Van Gogh.

13 Artists Children Should Know by Angela Wenzel

Featured artists are introduced chronologically, accompanied by a timeline to offer helpful historical context. Each artist’s entry includes a concise biography, beautiful reproductions of major works, and lively texts. Games, quizzes and other activities help readers learn about the significant contributions of each artist in a way that is both fun and inspiring.

Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky by Barb Rosenstock

Describes how Van Gogh’s insomnia, possibly a symptom of mental or physical illness, allowed him to view the night sky while everyone else was asleep and influenced how he saw the world around him.

Van Gogh by Bruce Bernard

Looks at Van Gogh’s life and career, analyzes details of selected paintings, and discusses influences on his art.

Splat!: The Most Exciting Artists of All Time by Mary Richards

Splat! traces art history through its key turning points and helps to map important art movements from the Renaissance and Impressionism to Surrealism and contemporary art.

Vincent’s Colors: Words and Pictures by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh is one of the world’s most famous artists. Throughout his life, he wrote to his younger brother, Theo, about his colorful, dynamic paintings. This book pairs the artist’s paintings with his own words.

Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew

While visiting the art museum, Katie has an adventure stepping in and out of five paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne. Includes information about Post-impressionism and the particular paintings and artists in the story.

National Black Women in the Arts

webadmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 12:00:54 +0000

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February is National Black Women in the Arts Month! Celebrate by learning about a few artists that left their mark on history.

Alma Thomas

September 22, 1891 – February 24, 1978

Alma Thomas lived most of her life in Washington, D.C. as an artist and educator. She created mosaics like abstract paintings that were bright and full of color.


The Eclipse, 1970	White Roses Sing and Sing, 1976

Augusta Savage

February 29, 1892 – March 26, 1962

Augusta Savage was a teacher and artist during the Harlem renaissance. She created a show-stopping piece for the New York’s World Fair of 1939 titled “The Harp.” In 1943, she became a member of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors, making her its first African American member.


Gamin, 1929

Laura Wheeler Waring

May 16, 1887 – February 3, 1948

Laura Wheeler Waring was both an educator and artist during the Harlem Renaissance. She was one of the most well-known female artists of her time, creating portraits of prominent African Americans.


Marian Anderson, 1944	W.E.B Du Bois, 1945

Lois Mailou Jone

November 3, 1905 – June 9, 1998

Lois Mailou Jones was both an artist and an educator. She created art that highlighted the influence of traditional African art in America.


Les Fétiches, 1938	Two African Hairstyles, 1982

Ella Fitzgerald

April 25,1917 – June 15, 1996

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer during the Harlem Renaissance. She was known as “the first lady of song.” She won many awards during her lifetime, including a Grammy.

Zora Neale Hurston

January 7, 1891 – January 28, 1960

Zora Neale Hurston had many talents, she was an author, anthropologist, and filmmaker. Her most popular book titled “Their Eyes Were Watching God” was published in 1937. Her books highlighted the racial struggles of the early 1900s.

Books for Further Learning

Ablaze with Color : A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Tells the story of painter and teacher Alma Thomas, discussing her childhood, teaching career and activism.

Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison

Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history, Dream Big, Little One is the board book adaptation of the author’s Little leaders: bold women in Black history.

We Are Artists: Women Who Wade Their Mark on the World by Kari Herbert

Featuring 18 trailblazing black women in American history, Dream Big, Little One is the board book adaptation of the author’s Little leaders: bold women in Black history.

Beautiful Shades of Brown: The Art of Laura Wheeler Waring by Nancy Churnin

Growing up in the late 19th century, Laura Wheeler Waring didn’t see any artists like her. She didn’t see any paintings of people who looked like her. So when she was offered a commission to paint portraits of accomplished African Americans. Writers, singers, political activists, and thinkers all posed for her. Now her portraits hang in Washington, D.C.’s National Portrait Gallery, where children of all races can admire the beautiful shades of brown she captured.

Brave, Black, First : 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World by Cheryl Willis Hudson

An illustrated biographical compilation of over fifty African American women from the 1700s through to the present day.

In Her Hands : The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder

A biography of African American sculptor Augusta Savage, who overcame many obstacles as a young woman to become a premier female sculptor of the Harlem Renaissance. Includes an afterword about Savage’s adult life and works, plus.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls : 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic by Lilly Workneh

Acknowledges, applauds, and amplifies the incredible stories of 100 inspiring Black women and girls from the past and present.

Faith Ringgold : Narrating the World in Pattern and Color by Sharna Jackson

Presents an illustrated look at the life of American painter, writer, mixed media sculptor, and performance artist, Faith Ringgold.

Wake Up Our Souls : A Celebration of Black American Artists by Tonya Bolden

Presents a history of African American visual arts and artists from the days of slavery to the present.

Women Artists A to Z by Melanie LaBarge

An empowering alphabet book celebrates famous and less-represented women artists in a variety of genres who have transformed the art world, from Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Xenobia Bail.

Talking with Tebe: Clementine Hunter, Memory Artist by Mary E. Lyons

Details the genius of Tebe Hunter, a plantation worker who became the first self-taught African-American woman artist to receive national media attention by portraying the rich community life shared by southern laborers.

Discovering African American Art for Children by James Haywood Rolling, Jr.

Discovering African American Art for Children introduces children to twelve important works of art. The Come Look with Me series of interactive art books from Lickle Publishing offers both children and adults a whole new way of encountering works of art, one which engages the imagination as much as the eye. Well suited for both individual and classroom use, Discovering African American Art for Children pairs great works of art with thought-provoking questions.

Art From Her Heart: Folk Artist Clementine Hunter by Kathy Whitehead

Clementine Hunter’s paintings went from hanging on her clothesline to hanging in museums, yet because of the color of her skin, a friend had to sneak her in when the gallery was closed.

Discovering Women artists for Children by Jennifer Tarr Coyne

Introduces twelve women artists, including Faith Ringgold, Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, and Grandma Moses, each with a short biography, a full-page color plate, a description of the image, and a set of discussion questions.

Sugar Hill: Harlem’s Historic Neighborhood by Carole Boston Weatherford

Rhyming text celebrates the Harlem neighborhood that successful African Americans first called home during the 1920s. Includes brief biographies of jazz greats Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, and Miles Davis; artists Aaron Douglas and Faith Ringgold; entertainers Lena Horne and the Nicholas Brothers; writer Zora Neale Hurston; civil rights leader W. E. B. DuBois; and lawyer Thurgood Marshall.