6-Week Modern Masters Lessons

Week 1: Dale Chihuly – Glass Illusions

Focus: Color, movement, organic form

Project:

“Faux Chihuly Bowl”

Cellophane, acetate, tissue, or hot-glue “glass”

Acrylic pours or alcohol inks

Emphasis on flow and light

Skill: Color blending, sculptural thinking

Week 2: Yayoi Kusama – Pattern & Repetition

Focus: Repetition, obsession, infinity

Project: Dot Universe Canvas or Sculpture

Limited color palette

Dots covering object

Choice-based scale

Skill: Pattern, patience, visual rhythm

Week 3: Jean-Michel Basquiat – Art With a Voice

Focus: Symbolism, layering, message

Project: Neo-Expressionist Mixed Media on clothes

Words, symbols, oil pastels, paint

Emphasis on meaning over “neatness”

Skill: Visual storytelling, confidence

Week 4: Frida Kahlo – Identity & Symbolism

Focus: Personal narrative, symbolism

Project: Symbolic Portrait (Realistic or Abstract)

Incorporate objects, animals, colors that represent self in a painting

Portrait optional — symbols encouraged

Skill: Personal expression, composition

Week 5: Keith Haring – Movement & Line

Focus: Line, motion, accessibility

Project: Bold Line Tapestry Panel / Canvas

Simplified figures / High-contrast colors

Tape resist for clean lines

Skill: Gesture, energy, confidence, Fast-paced + joyful

Week 6: Shape Garden Mixed Media (Inspired by Henri Matisse)

Big idea: Shapes + color can become anything

Project: Cut-Paper Shape Garden Pre-cut or child-safe cut shapes (leaves, blobs, flowers) Glue shapes to create gardens, fish, people, or made-up worlds

Encourage overlap, scale, and bold color choices

Skills: Shape recognition Composition Decision-making Fine motor skills

6-week Modern Masters Series Private Art class - for Cal