Lil' Picasso April 2025: From Birds to Giraffes, Inspired by Animals in Art

by Jasmine Soumakian March 31, 2025

Dear

Dear Parents,

We’re excited to share that in April 2025 will be all about “Animals in Art” for our Lil’ Picasso students! This month, your little ones will explore how animals have been a source of inspiration for artists throughout history. From realistic to whimsical, we’ll guide students in discovering various artistic styles as they create their own animal-themed masterpieces. Here's a peek at the incredible artists and animals that will inspire our projects this month:

1. John James Audubon – Birds in Nature

Audubon was a naturalist and painter known for his detailed illustrations of birds in their natural habitats. Our young artists will get a taste of what it means to capture a bird’s unique colors and features through close observation. Students will create their own bird artwork with vibrant paints and learn how artists like Audubon closely study nature.

2. Charley Harper – Birds in Geometry

Known for his minimalistic style, Harper's art simplifies animals into geometric shapes, making it playful and eye-catching. Our students will create colorful bird drawings inspired by Harper’s approach, exploring basic shapes and colors to bring their birds to life.

3. Cassius Marcellus Coolidge – Playful Dogs

Many know Coolidge for his lighthearted depictions of dogs engaging in human activities, like playing poker! This whimsical take on animals allows our Lil' Picasso's to add personality to their artwork. Students will enjoy creating dog portraits with expressive faces, imagining what kinds of activities their dogs might be up to. This project is sure to bring lots of smiles!

4. Gustav Klimt – The Golden Giraffe

While Klimt is best known for his use of gold leaf and intricate patterns, we’ll give this a playful twist with a golden giraffe! Inspired by Klimt’s famous works, our project will feature a giraffe adorned in Klimt-inspired patterns.

5. Marc Chagall – Horses and Imagination

Chagall’s art is filled with dreamlike imagery, often featuring animals in surreal, imaginative scenes. To celebrate his whimsical style, students will create artwork inspired by Chagall's painting, Horse and Man, and students will be encouraged to imaging animals in magical scenes.

Goals for April:

Basic Shapes and Geometry: Projects inspired by Harper and Klimt will introduce kids to using shapes and patterns in creative ways.
Creativity and Imagination: From Coolidge’s dogs to Chagall’s surreal scenes, kids will get the chance to use their imaginations to bring animals to life.

We can’t wait to see the incredible, animal-inspired artwork your children create this month. Thank you for being part of their creative journey in Lil' Picasso!