Matisse Carry Alls

We worked on a Matisse project in our last two art classes of the year. The kids made canvas tote bags to give to their moms for Mother's Day. We looked at pictures of Matisse's work, especially his paper cuts that were done in his later years when he was bed/wheelchair ridden. We also talked about his influences (the sea,) his ideas about color (never enough or strong enough-he painted his own papers for strong bright colors,) and of the chapel he designed from the floor up-including the bell and vestments-to help a young caretaker friend of his who later became a nun. Her nunnery was very poor and only had an old garage to pray in until Matisse moved to town and built them a beautiful chapel. There is a nice children's book about this friendship and chapel called "Matisse: the King of Color" by Laurence Anholt.

I bought canvas totes at Hobby Lobby for 50% off and they came to about $1 each. We used bright Matisse-colored felt for the shapes. Each child had a paper folded into fourths that they designed their four shapes on before cutting them out. After I approved their designs, they cut out the shapes freehand-no drawing on the felt first. That's the way Matisse did it! They were also required to use Matisse inspired shapes. We used felt/fabric glue to glue the shapes on. I did some trimming of ragged edges and helped glue the younger classes projects (4th/5th.) Good sharp scissors are necessary for this project.