In today’s post, we explore the work of Mary Cassatt, an impressionist painter who was famous for her paintings of mothers and their children. This can be a great springboard to get your kids interested in painting. From there, we will check out other inspiring resources and some actual paintings from young artists later in the post.

Mary Cassatt Self-Portrait

Mary Cassatt (1845-1926) was an American Impressionist painter, though she lived much of her life in Paris. Born into a wealthy family, she enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Cassatt, was not, however, encouraged as an artist by her parents. Despite this fact, she studied art in both the United States and Europe, completing her education in France. She greatly admired the work of Edgar Degas and he later became a mentor and friend. As the only American to exhibit with the Impressionists in Paris, her work is highly regarded. Cassatt’s financial support to her contemporaries proved to be of great benefit to the Impressionist movement. Her reputation for being an advisor to privileged collectors of art in the United States resulted in a large number of Impressionist paintings being endowed to museums in this country.

Perhaps Cassatt is best remembered for her paintings of mothers and children. Though she never married and had no children of her own, her tender renderings attest to her fondness for her tiny subjects. Here are two of my favorite paintings that are representative of her work:

Mother About to Wash her Sleepy Child

Mother and Child

Mother and Child

It is easier than ever to create an interest in art for your children. Though books and computer screens cannot compare with museum works, it is, nevertheless, important to use the tools offered by local resources and the internet to help foster a child’s curiosity about art. Some resources to help parents with this endeavor are:

  1. At www.gardenofpraise.com you can find examples of paintings, kid friendly biographies, and printables like worksheets, crossword puzzles, even samples to print and color.
  2. Tux Paint is a free drawing program for young children (3 and up) featuring a blank canvas and various drawing tools. Tux paint is found under the downloadable tab at the Apple website.
  3. The Climbing into Paintings site gives creative ways to view paintings with your children, like playing I Spy to spot objects, or exploring the feelings evoked by art.

  4. Mary Cassatt Family Pictures

    Mary Cassatt Family Pictures

    Mary Cassatt: Family Pictures (Smart About Art) by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Jennifer Kalis is a children’s book about Mary Cassatt written from a child’s perspective. The official synopsis follows: “Mary Cassatt is most famous for her paintings of mothers and babies, and that’s what first attracts “Claire” because she has a new baby sister. But through research for her class report Claire learns many surprising facts about Mary: she was an American who lived in France nearly all her life, she never married or had children herself, and she became a professional artist at a time when respectable ladies simply did not do that With beautiful reproductions of Mary Cassatt’s best-loved paintings as well as lively childlike pictures that illustrate her life, this Smart About Art book gives children a wonderful ‘portrait’ of a great artist and fascinating woman.”

    Here are two more Cassatt paintings of the mother and child bond.

    Mother and Child

    The Young Mother

    The Young Mother

  5. At www.Kidsterpieces.com, I found wonderful examples of children’s paintings, especially those in the style of the Impressionists. Canadian artist and instructor Cat Cushing, M.A. whose work has primarily been sold to help fund an art school in Dundas Valley, ON has now moved to Oakville and is continuing to instruct young artists. Cat plans for the site to be a future showcase for the children to sell their art, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting children’s charities. What a wonderful way to combine the love of art with fostering generosity in children.

    Flower by Alisha

    Degas painting by Marjka

  6. Lastly, I would like to share a special work from my friend Kathryn who is 7 years old. She is an avid painter, who has trouble keeping her paint and supplies out of the hands of her 4 year old brother Daniel. This is her intrepretation of a nature scene: watercolor on paper in the style of the Impressionists.

    Nature by Kathryn

Whatever your taste in art, find ways to incorporate it into your children’s lives and education.  It may be as easy as giving a girl a brush, some paint, and a cup of water - don’t forget to save some paint for her little brother!


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