An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers
Written by Natasha Wing; Illustrated by Julia Breckenreid

Growing up in Germany, Josef Albers “watched his father paint doors as if they were artists’ canvases.”  Later, Josef became an artist and teacher and moved to the United States. He continued to be fascinated by color and was drawn to the vibrant landscape of Mexico. He devoted his career to exploring and learning about the science of color and its ability to change the mood of a painting.
Natasha Wing and Julia Breckenreid have created an engaging and inspiring biography of this influential artist. Students will be especially drawn to the vivid illustrations. An explanation of the color wheel and suggested activities are included.

Biographical Sketches:
Natasha Wing grew up in Connecticut and lived just down the street from Josef Albers. She worked in advertising before she wrote her first picture book, Hippity Hop, Frog on Top. She now lives in Colorado with her husband.

Julia Breckenreid is an award winning illustrator known for her use of vibrant color. She is also an instructor of illustration at Sheridan College in Toronto. An Eye for Color is her first picture book.

Suggested Activities:
1. Read My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. Talk about the relationship between feelings and color. Ask each student to name their favorite color and explain why it is their favorite. Make a list of words that describes each color and use the list to write a poem.

2. Cut squares of construction paper into various sizes. Experiment with layering the squares one on top of the other, noticing how different colors affect each other. Glue squares together to create a work of art.

3. Create a group color collage. Using a large piece of paper, have each student add a swatch of color. Use paint, markers, crayons, and tissue paper to create different textures and effects.

4. Make an edible color wheel. Visit http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/color.htm for a detailed lesson plan.

5. Use technology to create art. Go to the National Gallery of Art website at http://www.nga.gov/kids/kids.htm   Follow the link to the Collage Zone to make your own colorful drawings.

6. Visit an artist's studio or invite an artist to school. Discuss what it's like to be an artist and the use of color. Visit the Maine Arts Commission at http://www.mainearts.maine.gov/directories.aspx for a directory of local artists.

7. Explore the biography section of the library to learn about other artists. How did their life relate to their art? How did different artists use color?

8. Visit a local museum or take a virtual tour at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Visit http://americanart.si.edu/education  for more information.

Books about Color:
Carle, Eric. Hello Red Fox. Aladdin, 2001.
Dr. Seuss. My Many Colored Days. Random House, 1996.
Ehlert, Lois. Planting a Rainbow. Harcourt, 1988.
Lionni, Leo .Little Blue and Little Yellow. Harper Collins, 1995.
Micklethwait, Lucy. I Spy Colors in Art. Greenwillow Books, 2007.
Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. Houghton Mifflin, 2009.
Walsh, Ellen Stoll. Mouse Paint. Sandpiper, 1995.

Books about Art and Artists:
Bang, Molly. Picture This: How Pictures Work. Chronicle Books, 1991.
McDonnell, Patrick. Art. Little Brown Books for Young Readers. 2006.
Reynolds, Peter H. The Dot. Candlewick Press, 2003.
Reynolds, Peter H. Ish. Candlewick Press, 2004.
Rodriguez, Rachel Victoria. Through Georgia’s Eyes. Henry Holt and Company, 2006.

Books Written by Natasha Wing:
Go to Bed Monster. Illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz. Harcourt, Inc., 2007.
Jalapeno Bagels. Illustrated by Robert Casilla. Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 1996.

Websites:
The Josef Albers and Anni Albers Foundation: http://www.albersfoundation.org

The National Gallery of Art: http://www.nga.gov/kids/kids.htm  

The Smithsonian American Art Museum: http://www.americanart.si.edu/education

The Maine Arts Commission: http://www.mainearts.maine.gov/directories.aspx