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Romare Bearden The Art of the Collage

History

Romare Bearden was born on September 2, 1911, in North Carolina, into a middle-class, African-American family.

When he was three, his family moved to Harlem, New York City's center of black culture. Bearden called New York his home, but for most of his youth continued to visit relatives in North Carolina and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Beardenís memories of past events and favorite places all became inspiration for his artwork.

His Influences

He was influenced by the art of the Cubists, such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris and by the work of his friends and fellow jazz lovers, Stuart Davis and Jacob Lawrence.

His Contributions

Bearden enjoyed working in many media, including oil painting, collage, watercolor, public murals, cover art for writers and publishers, poetry, music, and even children's books. His works are in major collections and museums around the world.

What You Will Need

11x17 Paper for your Composition Magazine Cut Outs Colored Paper Scissors Glue Colored Pencils

Develop Your Plan

Before beginning your composition, picture your house, and neighborhood. What do the buildings look like? What colors are they? Does the neighborhood have streets? Sidewalks? What do your neighbors look like? Do they have pets? Do other animals live there?

Pick a time of day, morning or evening.

Before you begin!

On top of your paper, block out the page with colored paper building shapes, the size of your hand or slightly larger. Keep layering cut-out paper to make windows, streets, shades, streetlights, bridges and building details.

Next…

Glue all the paper down. You can also use paint or markers to create blocks of color or details like bricks, stones, flowers and details on trees.

Details

Add cut outs from magazines of animals, birds, cars, and people. Glue them on top of what you have laid out with the colored paper.

Get To Work!!Get To Work!!Get To Work!!Get To Work!!