If Picasso Had a Christmas Tree by Firehouse Publications

If Picasso Had a Christmas Tree An illustrated introduction to art history for children by art teachers

By Eric Gibbons Illustrated by 30 art teachers Cover editing by Dana Ranning Edited by Michelle Lovejoy Copyright 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN-13: 978-1-940290-33-1 ISBN-10: 1940290333 Printer: Createspace Publisher: Firehouse Publishing: www.firehousepublications.com Author Website: www.ArtEdGuru.com

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This is an abridged preview of the book. It includes watermarks not found in the printed version. Please order through the publisher found at www.FirehousePublications.com Artist and author contact information is in the back.

If Pablo Picasso had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Pablo loved paint and he loved to draw, made art from all things, all that he saw. He drew and used shapes you see everywhere, the circle, triangle, and even the square. Could this be his? It's bright and it's green, with a candle in front of this holiday scene. He painted with patterns and drew in with lines; his name is remembered for all future times.

Eric Gibbons, Picasso's Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 in.

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If Louise Nevelson had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? She liked to make sculptures with all kinds of wood, gathered from streets in the neighborhood. Some called it trash, some called it art; the things she collected, she'd pull them apart and reorganize them the way that she liked, gluing and nailing then painting them white. Sometimes she wanted to paint them all black. She did what she wanted and that was a fact!

Colin Temple, Nevelson Holiday Tree, wood on canvas board, 12 x 12 in.

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If Sonia Delaunay had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Circles and colors which all overlap, like a bright and confusing Googley map. So many things are hidden inside, you can find them with eyes open wide, A cat and a bird, some snow, and some string, but where in the world is that Christmas tree thing? I'll give you a hint, it's right in the middle, you'll have to look closely, at least just a little.

Magi Chen, Sonia Delaunay's Christmas Tree, acrylic on paper, 35 x 35 cm.

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If Jacob Lawrence had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? In a time of challenge, a time of strife, not all respected his uncommon life. So he painted the way his people were treated, some of it pleasant, some of it heated. He helped us move forward and understand, we all should be equal, woman and man. He painted so simply, he painted so true, people are people, brown, white or blue!

Heather Lass, Jacob Lawrence Christmas Trees, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 18 in.

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If Frida Kahlo had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Mexico was the land of her birth, her art was so famous all over the earth. She liked to paint dreams and painting her thoughts, some were unusual, some were a lot. She painted herself both happy and sad, she painted her feelings, all that she had. Here she's half deer, with horns on her head, next to the tree, decorated in red.

Shannon Kiernan-Goffan, Kahlo Christmas Tree, acrylic on paper, 10 x 10 in.

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If Modigliani had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Elongating figures, and faces, and hand, it was his style you must understand. By stretching the figure the way that he drew, making them thin like a reed of bamboo, they stretch like a dancer flowing with grace, swaying to music from some secret place. Can you draw a picture, and change the proportions? Some artists like to make subtle distortions.

Sarah R. Mikos, Modigliani Christmas, gouache on paper, 11 x 11 in.

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If Toulouse-Lautrec had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Henri was famous for posters in France, of ladies and gentlemen who loved to dance. He also liked drawing and painting sometimes, he liked the night parties, and drinking fine wines. Toulouse was a man, not really quite tall, and sometimes was teased for being so small. But the artist was strong, becoming quite famous, some think his work is really the greatest!

Alycia Yates, Lautrec Christmas Tree, digital image, 10 x 10 in.

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If John William Waterhouse had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? John painted ladies, all were quite fair, pretty young faces, often long hair. The pictures he painted all told a story, some were so sad, some were of glory. He liked to paint rivers and nature you see, people from myths, surrounded by trees. Mermaids and princesses lived in his paintings, ever so pretty, and so entertaining.

Dawn Beedell, Waterhouses Christmas Tree, oil on board, 10 x 10 in.

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If Raphael da Urbino had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He was not a ninja, he was not a turtle, he didn't eat pizza, nor did he hurdle. Raffaello Urbino was a Renaissance artist, genius at painting, some say the smartest! He painted in churches, sometimes on walls, he designed some buildings, many were tall. This artist was gifted, most famed in his time, but never a ninja, nor fighting crime!

Claudia Stimer Mullane, Raphael Christmas Tree, colored pencils, 11 x 11 in.

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If Vincent van Gogh had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Swirls in the sky of stars up in space, making this painting a beautiful place. The stars wrap the tree in holiday light, making it colorful all through the night. Though Vincent was troubled all through his life, his artwork helped him handle the strife. So if you feel sad, lonely, or blue, painting is something you always can do.

Donna Cooper Smith, Van Gogh's Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 in.

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If Leonardo da Vinci had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He too was no Ninja Turtle you know, even more famous than Vincent van Gogh! He painted a picture called Mona Lisa, I doubt that he did it while eating some pizza. He also invented amazing machines, inventions for war and some flying things. Five centuries ago he drew it all down, that's why he's a genius and wasn't a clown.

Sharyn Herbert Dayton, Leonardo da Vinci Christmas Tree, mixed media collage, 12 x 12 in.

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If Pieter Brueghel had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? The hunters are walking all through the snow, bringing their catch to the quaint town below. And look at that tree, amazing and huge, someone loves Christmas, it isn't from Scrooge. Wrapped up in beads by a bird soaring high, I'd love to be with him if I could just fly. What a fanciful place, the halls are all decked, with the largest decor you'd ever expect!

Elena Klimova, Brueghel's Christmas Tree, watercolor on paper, 54 x 54 cm.

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If Salvador DalĂ had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Here is a tree that's half like a dresser, drawers are all open, it couldn't be messier. The clock on up high is melting and limp, painted by genius, not by some wimp. But DalĂ liked painting things that were strange, mixing them up, an odd rearrange. He'd put things together that just shouldn't be, don't say that he can't, he liked to be free!

Frandy Jean, Persistence of Christmas, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10 in.

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If Gustav Klimt had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Bright lovely colors, and a touch of gold, patterns all over, so fun and so bold. Look at the wall all covered in curls, precious and lovely, dotted with pearls. The tree is all painted in stripes oh so dandy, I bet if I ate it, it'd taste just like candy! He liked to paint people, some who had kissed, this Austrian artist shouldn't be missed.

Kathy Carruba Schmidt, Klimt's Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16 in.

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If Edgar Degas had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He loved to paint dancers in heavenly gowns, slippers on feet, and laurels for crowns. Up on tip-toe, they dress up the tree, making it pretty for you and for me. They look like they're fairies in tutus so white, colors surround them so bold and so bright. The stage nearly ready, the lights all a-glow, lights, camera, action, let's put on a show!

K. Lee Mock, Degas' Christmas Tree, acrylic on panel, 20 x 20 in.

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If Willem de Kooning had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He liked to paint messy, he liked to paint bold, he painted all day, even when he was old. He hid all the pictures in paintings he did. Can you see the tree? It's really well hid! I think it's the green, or maybe the blue, I don't see a tree, tell me, do you? Ah there it is! The blob in the middle! I'd say that he painted a bit like a riddle.

K. Lee Mock, DeKooning's Christmas Tree, acrylic on panel, 20 x 20 in.

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If Marc Chagall had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He liked to paint sheep, cows, and the people, churches and synagogues, buildings, and steeple. He liked to draw men playing the fiddle, see one down there, right in the middle? It's fun how he breaks up a picture with lines, it looks kind of strange, but I think it's just fine. The colors and patterns look really great, he's a grand artist that loved to create.

Lorraine Pulvino Poling, Chagall Christmas Tree, acrylic on paper, 10 x 10 in.

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If Giorgio de Chirico had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? This painting is certainly not like the rest. It does not look cheerful, I must confess. He liked to make art but art that was haunted. He painted exactly just what he wanted. He painted his dreams, some were nightmares, this one looks strange, somehow and somewhere, a place that is lonely, a place that is dark, a place with black shadows, so strange and so stark.

Connie McClure, Giorgio de Chirico's Christmas Tree, acrylic on masonite, 10 x 10 in.

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If Hannah Hรถch had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Her art was all done in photomontage, but we like to call it paper collage. Cutting up bits and pasting them down, some with a smile and some with a frown, She stood up for women and all of their art, working and crafting with all of her heart. This tree is so festive, so free, and so fun, can you cut up pictures and make a new one?

Elena Klimova, Hannah Hรถch's Christmas Tree, paper collage, 42 x 42 cm.

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If Henri Matisse had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? The people are dancing all in a circle, with a background of starry dark purple. They dance hand in hand, around the pine tree, decorated so nicely for us all to see. The presents beneath are things Matisse drew, from fish to the fruit, and with paper, it's true! He painted while standing, and later he lay, he created his art â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til his very last day.

Magi Chen, Matisse's Christmas Tree, acrylic on paper, 50 x 50 cm.

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If M and C Escher had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Maurits Cornelis was his full name, M.C. was shorter and so it became. He liked to paint puzzles, impossible things, like cubes on the tree in tangled up rings. He loved to draw patterns of boxes and form, repeating creatures, far from the norm. Here we see Christmas on top of the moon, I'd like to go there and visit real soon!

Rachel Wintemberg, Escher's Christmas Tree, gouache and graphic pen on illustration board, 13 x 13 in.

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If Claude Monet had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He started a style called Impressionism, it wasn't about perfectionism. He painted so bold with a big bristled brush, he painted so fast, though he didn't rush. He wanted to catch the feeling of light, sometimes a sunset, sometimes when bright. Bridges and flowers were his special things, and painting in nature where little grebe* sings. *Little Grebe: small French waterfowl

Shari de Wever, Monet's Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 in.

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If John Audubon had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? Famous for paintings of birds that he did, recording them all, wherever they hid. With paper and pencil he'd sit all day long, drawing them all, and hearing their songs. Some are no longer around us today, some are extinct the experts do say. But we have his drawings, we have his words, to always remember, our neighbors the birds!

Amy Letts, 3 French Hens, watercolor, 10 x 10 in.

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If Andrew Warhol had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? His friends called him "Andy Warhol" you know, famous enough for a TV talk show. He liked to paint people, and a Campbell's Soup can, Pop Art you see was the theme of his brand. He liked to print pictures over and over, things you might find at the neighborhood grocer, bottles, and Brillo, whatever there was. He might paint this tree for ol' Santa Claus.

Lesli Wardell, Warhol Christmas Trees, watercolor, 10 x 10 in.

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If Paul Cézanne had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He liked to paint scenes so very thick, you'd be mistaken to think it was quick, Paul was a man with infinite patience, he always held high his own expectations. Like Mr. Monet he captured the light, making those oranges look perfectly ripe. He painted from nature, he'd paint what he saw, they’re now in museums hung up on the walls.

Nicole Leaning, Cézanne’s Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas board, 20 x 20 cm.

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If Edward Hopper had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He loved his warm coffee, and his brown hat, now on the tree, what do you think of that? Outside of the window a row of brown houses, filled with the people, husbands and spouses, and children, and pets who live in the city, some think it ugly, Hopper thought pretty. He painted the places in cities and streets, even a diner where late night folk eat.

Kari Pifer Jones, Hopper's Tree, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10 in.

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If Sandro Botticelli had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? A Renaissance artist, one of the best, liked angels and seashells more than the rest. He painted the myths, and goddesses too, Venus so famous, in soft peachy hue. From frescoes to goldsmith, he did it all, even painting upon the Sistine Church wall. Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, a full name so long, your tongue goes all flippy.

Jessica Murawski-Hall, Botticelli Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 in.

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If Antoni GaudĂ had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? An artist of clay, tiles, and bricks his projects were hard, he didn't use tricks. A church that he built still isn't done, it started just after eighteen eighty-one. A man of such patience comes once in a while, his favorite thing was to work with fine tile, pictures and designs with bits of ceramic, gluing with cement, so very dynamic.

Trina Cole Harlow, Antoni GaudĂ Christmas Tree, ceramic, 20 x 24 in.

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If RenĂŠ Magritte had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? He painted his dreams and some crazy things, never for money and not for the kings. He did it because it captured his eye, it made people curious and wonder why he painted these things, so many illusions, maybe he's painting his own strange delusions? But people do love his original painting, they're just so much fun and so entertaining.

Veronica Winters, Magritte's Christmas Tree, pastel on paper, 10 x 10 in.

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If Georgia O'Keeffe had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? She liked to paint pictures looking so close, like bones in the desert, or even a rose. She painted them big so you would take notice, of tiny details in a skull or a lotus. She made her way west to New Mexico, painting the desert and hills, don't you know. This American treasure earned a special award, The Medal of Freedom from President Ford.

Kelly Henrikson, Georgia O'Keeffe Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10 in.

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If Helen Hardin had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? With colors of sand, of rock, and of earth, Native American she was by birth. Mother and father, creative too, supported her work and all that she drew. She drew with the patterns from her Tewa tribe, visual words that she used to describe, the history and stories of womanhood, within these symbols sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best understood.

Holly Bess Kincaid, Helen Hardin's Christmas Tree, mixed media drawing , 10 x 10 in.

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If Mary Cassatt had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d see? Mother and child was her special theme, to her they were perfect, a wonderful team. An American woman, she traveled to France, to paint with the best, it wasn't by chance. She painted as well as any man would, they said that she couldn't, she proved that she could. And now in museums all over the earth, a model for women to know their self-worth!

Connie McClure, Mary Cassatt Christmas Tree, acrylic on canvas, 10 x 10 in.

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If Edvard Munch had a Christmas tree, are these the colors and shapes you'd see? This artist is famous for one special work, they call it "The Scream," it looks real berserk, a road and a railing and sky that is red, and somebody screaming while holding his head. Instead of that person we now have a tree, with Saint Nick above it flying so free. This happier version isn't so scary, for we want your Christmas to always be merry!

Daryn Pake Martin, Munch's Christmas Tree, oil pastel, 10 x 12 in.

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Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Pablo Picasso www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Adolph Gottlieb www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Colin W. Temple Inspired by Louise Nevelson temple.elements@gmail.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Tamara de Lempicka www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Keith Haring www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Heather Lass Inspired by Jacob Lawrence LassArtwork@gmail.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Cy Twombly www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Grandma Moses www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Magi Chen Inspired by Sonia Delaunay chenmagi3@gmail.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Jackson Pollock www.artedguru.com

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Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Mark Rothko www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Dawn Andre Beedell Inspired by John William Waterhouse www.artpadstudio.co.uk

Artwork by Shannon Kiernan-Goffan Inspired by Frida Kahlo s.m.kiernan@gmail.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Josef Albers www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Alberto Giacometti www.artedguru.com

Artwork by Claudia Stimer Mullane Inspired by Raphael cstimermullane@gmail.com

Artwork by Sarah R. Mikos Inspired by Amedeo Modigliani modiglianichristmastree@gmail.com

Artwork by Donna Cooper Smith Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh Ddcsmith6157@gmail.com

Artwork by Alycia Yates Inspired by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Alycia@alyciayates.com

Artwork by Sharyn Hebert Dayton Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci leonardoschristmastree@gmail.com

Artwork by Elena Klimova Inspired by Pieter Bruegel the Elder elenaklim10@gmail.com

Artwork by Lorraine Pulvino Poling Inspired by Marc Chagall Elseapea@yahoo.com

Artwork by Frandy Jean Inspired by Salvador Dalí frandyjeangallery.com

Artwork by Connie L. McClure Inspired by Giorgio de Chirico connielmcclure@aol.com

Artwork by Kathy Carruba Schmidt Inspired by Gustav Klimt kaschmidt01@yahoo.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Joan Miró www.artedguru.com

Artwork by K. Lee Mock Inspired by Edgar Degas www.kleemock.com k.leemock@gmail.com

Artwork by Elena Klimova Inspired by Hannah Höch elenaklim10@gmail.com

Artwork by K. Lee Mock Inspired by Willem de Kooning www.kleemock.com k.leemock@gmail.com

Artwork by Eric Gibbons Inspired by Piet Mondrian www.artedguru.com

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Artwork by Magi Chen Inspired by Henri Matisse chenmagi3@gmail.com

Artwork by Nicole Leaning Inspired by Paul Cézanne NicoleCatherineRose@outlook.com

Artwork by Rachel Wintemberg Inspired by MC Escher thehelpfulartteacher.blogspot.com thehelpfulartteacher@gmail.com

Artwork by Kari Ann Jones Inspired by Edward Hopper kariann1963@gmail.com

Artwork by Shari de Wever Inspired by Claude Monet longrabit@neo.rr.com

Artwork by Jessica Murawski-Hall Inspired by Sandro Botticelli jessilynnhall@gmail.com

Artwork by Amy Letts Inspired by John James Audubon www.amuletts.com

Artwork by Trina Harlow Inspired by Antoni Gaudí TrinaHarlow@yahoo.com earthshakingartteacher.blogspot.com

Artwork by Lesli Wardell Inspired by Andy Warhol lesli.a.bachi@gmail.com

Artwork by Veronica Winters Inspired by René Magritte Nika@Veronicasart.com www.VeronicasArt.com

Artwork by Kelly Henrikson Inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe Kel624@gmail.com

Artwork by Holly Bess Kincaid Inspired by Helen Hardin capitolofcreativity.weebly.com

Artwork by Connie L. McClure Inspired by Mary Cassatt connielmcclure@aol.com

Artwork by Daryn Pake Martin Inspired by Edvard Munch artzfrtz@gmail.com

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