It’s never too early to teach your children about art. Starting in preschool can open up a world of imagination for children. Here are ten artists who make a great place to start and inspire a whole host of engaging activities. 
Georgia O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe’s use of color and perspective were monumental for the art world. Her famous flower paintings are nearly universally recognized, and her paintings of the American southwest are unique in their use of form and color.
Jackson Pollock
The famous drip artist is the perfect activity for preschoolers. Not only did he change how we think of abstract art and its creation, but he also helped launch an entire modern art movement all on his own.
Andy Warhol
His modern prints could be recognizable for children. They may be able to identify the people or objects in some of his famous works, and his art makes an excellent discussion for creating art from everyday things.
Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh’s brush strokes were extraordinary, as was his use of color. Plus, Starry Night might be one of the most recognizable pieces of art in the world, so introduce it to children when it’s fresh to them.
Wassily Kandinsky
Kandinsky’s Synesthesia created moving, monumental pieces of abstract art. Children can learn to explore the emotional impact of artwork and understand how this great artist used all his senses to inspire him.
Yayoi Kusama
Kusama’s polka-dot installations are not just eye-catching — they appeal to a child’s sense of color and pattern recognition. Plus, her personal style is just as striking as her art and makes for excellent discussion pieces.
Jean Michel Basquiat
While much of Basquiat’s artwork may not be suitable for children, a few of his pieces blending street art with fine art could be a jumping-off point for their creativity. It’s a great way to show children that art can mean lots of different things.
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian’s color series can inspire and also makes great hands-on activities for preschoolers. The bold colors and simple shapes make Mondrian’s work so eye-catching and also made him a sensation in the art world.
Claude Monet
As the most famous Impressionist painter, Monet’s paintings are gorgeous and soft, helping children see nature’s lines and shapes with fresh eyes. His simple brush strokes together combine to make a fun illusion that children will want to see over and over again.
Alma Thomas
As an expressionist painter, Thomas’s colorful paintings are a wonderful way to get children engaged in color theory. Her focus on the accidental abstract beauty of color paved the way for modern art’s obsession with color. She may not be as well known to the general public, but her art is perfect for the expressive interest of children and adults alike.
Teaching Art to Children
You don’t have to have complex lessons to begin teaching children to make and appreciate art. Find lessons from experts like Adobe Education Exchange to teach art to kids or look at YouTube to find videos of artists making their work. Once you add in the mediums, art can come alive even at the preschool level.
