Yayoi Kusama is a contemporary Japanese artist known as “the princess of polka dots.” Dots and repeated patterns are a common theme in all of her work, which includes paintings, sculptures, performances, and installations. Yayoi was raised in Matsumoto, Japan, and trained at the Kyoto School of Arts and Crafts in the traditional nihonga painting style. She was inspired by American abstract expressionism, so she moved to New York to be a part of the avant-garde art scene and pop-art movement.
With colorful mushrooms popping up all around this spring, it’s the perfect time to try this all-ages Kusama-inspired mixed media art project!
Supplies:
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Paint – tempera or acrylic paint is ideal
- Paintbrushes in various sizes, or other objects to create dots
- Glue
Step 1: Create a Background Pattern
Paint dots of various sizes all over your piece of paper. Using the back of a paintbrush or the eraser side of a pencil works well. Set aside to dry.
Step 2: Draw Mushrooms
Draw mushroom tops and stems in various sizes and shapes on at least 3 different colors of paper.
Step 3: Cut-Out Shapes
Cut your mushroom tops and stems out. Also, cut out a few oval shapes to make a mushroom that looks as if you are looking up at it from below. You will have more shapes than needed, but this gives you room to experiment and make mistakes.
Step 4: Mix and Match
Mix and match all your cut out shapes to make unique mushrooms. You may have to trim some down with scissors to make things fit together.
Step 5: Paint Dots
Paint dots in various sizes creating different patterns. Let your imagination flow! Set aside to dry.
Step 6: Glue Shapes
Once your pieces are completely dry, glue your mushroom shapes to the background paper, and you’ll have a fun, Kusama-inspired mushroom work of art!
Learn more about Yayoi Kusama here.
By Andrea Minobe
