Jacob Lawrence September 7, 1917 -June 9, 2000
Dylan Y. Willow Room June 2013
Introduction Famous Quotation: "When the subject is strong, simplicity is the only way to treat it." Best known for: his art work that showed struggles and experiences of AfricanAmerican people.
What I find interesting: that he got the idea to paint from day care.
3 Key Qualities: 1. Hardship 2.Viewed Problems as Opportunities 3.Took Action
I chose this person because... I love to draw!
Overcame a Hardship/Challenge Jacob Lawrence 's mother had to move because she could not find a job. Jacob had to stay home and watch his little and sister. I think that Jacob probably felt sad because his mom was so far away. Maybe he felt tired because he had to take care of 2 kids at the age of eleven. He was still able to become a famous painter.
Showed Compassion and Empathy Jacob realized that black history was not being taught in schools. Jacob though this was a big problem so he began painting the Toussant L'ouverturt series to try & change it. I think he was showing compassion because he was trying to change it so people could maybe learn more.
Took Action Jacob Lawrence painted famous historical African-American people so that he could teach other people about these black heroes like Harriet Tubman and John Brown. I think he is a hero too because he taught people about famous people so maybe they can be one too.
Persevered After the war instead of feeling happy he felt depressed so he went to the hospital to deal with his depression but he kept painting. Eventually he left the hospital kept painting and started teaching. I think he is persevering because he didn't just stop and give up. He got out of the hospital, kept painting and started teaching.
Impact: How Things are Different Today Jacob Lawrence's art focused on the struggles of African-American people and important periods in AfricanAmerican history. His Migration Series shared the struggles of African Americans moving north after World War1. I think that without Jacob Lawrence's stories about African-American people we wouldn't know about their struggles a long time ago and make sure their struggles don't happen again.
Viewed Problems as Opportunities Jacob's mom had to move out of their house in Philadelphia to a small apartment in Harlem. Jacob saw Harlem as a opportunity to draw. I think that Harlem was a rough place of New York and most people who lived there were black and poor. But Jacob saw Harlem as a place to draw what he saw and express himself and that was a way to be happy.
Communicated and Shared He painted scenes from World War II called War Series about what he saw while he was a Coast Guard in the war. I think he is communicating and sharing because he is telling a story with about what the war like. Jacob did not write stories; he used pictures to tell stories instead.
Jacob Lawrence Persevered when: he felt depressed after the war but kept painting.
Showed compassion when: he tried to make it so schools taught about black history.
Took action by: painting famous black people to teach other people about them.
Made a difference when: he taught people about the struggles of black people.
Author Talk I’m similar to my Change Maker because...I love to draw!
My Change Maker is connected to..Leonardo Da Vinci because they are both famous artist.
I’m a Change Maker when I...teach my sister something new.
Bibliography Story painter
Jacob Lawrence
Jacob Lawrence's Biography
Glossary A Change Maker is: some one who makes a difference.
Harlem a place in New York were black people live.
Gallery A place where you put your artwork so every one can see.
Migration a lot of people move from one place to another.
Map of Harlem