Hey there, Homeschool Teachers! Are you looking for an art activity that encourages freedom, imagination, and colorful expression?

Modern art is the perfect way to break free from “coloring inside the lines.”

With our Modern Art Mash-Up: Creative Starter Kit, your homeschoolers can explore bold shapes and unexpected storytelling. The best part is, no perfect drawings are required. 

In this blog, we’ll explore modern art, introduce a few iconic modern artists, and share a creative activity that helps kids design their own modern masterpieces. 

You can use our art mash-up as a stand-alone lesson or tie it into your homeschool art curriculum. This guide makes modernism fun and accessible for learners of all ages. 

Let’s get started!

What is Modern Art?

Modern art is not exactly what it sounds like. 

Modern art is not about following the rules or staying within the lines. Instead, it focuses on expressing ideas, feelings, and imagination in bold, surprising ways. It completely rejects mainstream values and traditional techniques.

Rather than painting what they saw, modern artists explored what they felt. They used new shapes, bright colors, bold brushstrokes, and abstract lines to create artwork that told stories without using words. 

From the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, artists around the world began experimenting with style, materials, and subject matter. They questioned traditions and created pieces that invited viewers to think and feel, rather than simply admire beauty.

This approach is empowering for homeschoolers. Modernism encourages students to be brave, try something new, and understand that there are many ways to communicate visually. 

Who are the Famous Modern Artists?

Modern art includes a wide range of styles and creators. Here are three iconic artists your homeschoolers will love learning about:

Wassily Kandinsky

Known for turning music into visual art, Wassily Kandinsky created colorful swirls, dots, and geometric forms to express the rhythm and emotion of sounds. He is considered a pioneer of abstract art.

Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse believed that creativity takes courage. Later in life, Matisse created stunning works using cut paper. His “cut-outs” turned blood colors into large shapes, arranged into energetic compositions full of life and joy. 

Pablo Picasso

Famous for Cubism, Pablo Picasso took everyday objects and broke them into shapes, rearranging them in imaginative, even silly, ways. His work encourages kids to look at the world from different perspectives.

Each artist had a few things in common. They all pushed boundaries and proved that there isn’t just one way to make great art. 

How to Make a Modern Art Mash-Up

Ready to make some art? Here’s where the fun begins.

Your Mission: Create a Modern Art Mash-Up

With the Modern Art Mash-Up Creative Starter Kit, your students will create an original artwork using cut-out shapes and their imagination. This kit reinforces freedom, fun, and fearless expression for homeschool art lessons. 

What to Do:

Cut out the bold shapes included in the starter kit and arrange them on a blank piece of paper in any way you like. 

• Glue the shapes onto the paper to build a design.

• Layer with markers, crayons, or paint to add textures and colors.

• Draw extra lines, shapes, or doodles to tell a story.

• Flip, rotate, or overlap the shapes to create movement or emotion.

There’s no wrong way to do it! This activity helps students see how artists like Matisse and Kandinsky played with shape and color to communicate feelings without needing words or perfect lines. 

This is a good time to encourage your child to think about what their art means to them. Is it playful? Mysterious? Calm, or full of energy?

This simple activity boosts creativity, supports visual thinking, and builds confidence in young artists.

Are There More Art Starter Kits Like This One?

Yes! If your homeschoolers loved the Modern Art Mash-Up, there are more creative adventures waiting. 

The Outside the Box Creation Art Curriculum includes everything you need to build a rich, engaging homeschool art program. It’s perfect for:

• A rainy day activity

• A structured weekly art lesson

• A screen-free afternoon project

Each month features a new theme, a featured artist or art movement, and a fully equipped kit with all supplies included. 

What is Included in Each Curriculum Kit?

4 Professionally Designed Art Lessons

Each box includes four expert-created lessons, aligned with art history and educational standards. These lessons build real artistic skills and historical context.

Expertly Selected Children’s Book

Every art kit is paired with a picture book chosen to complement the theme or artist, reinforcing literacy skills and helping students make connections between reading and visual storytelling.

Illustrated Tutorials

Our kid-friendly instructions guide students step-by-step through each project, making it easy for them to follow along and feel confident in their creativity. 

High Quality Art Materials

There is no need to make supply runs. Each kit is fully stocked with artist-quality tools and materials, hand-selected to give students a real art experience.

Skill Level Modifications

Lessons include tips for adjusting based on age or ability. Whether your child is a beginning artist or ready for more complex techniques, the curriculum adapts to their pace. 

Digital Art Room

Your child can explore even more through video tutorials, vocabulary games, and bonus lessons available online. These digital resources support independent learning and visual engagement.

Young Artist’s Guide

This guide includes reflection prompts, art history background, and journaling activities that help students explore their thoughts and deepen their understanding of each project.

Certificate of Completion

Perfect for homeschool portfolios, each kit includes a printable certificate to celebrate your child’s progress and showcase their achievement. 

The Bottom Line: Art Without Limits

Modern art teaches us that creativity has no limits. With the Modern Art Mash-Up Creative Starter Kit, homeschoolers can explore shapes, emotions, and imagination hands-on, encouraging risk-taking and joy. 

And with the Outside the Box Creation Art Curriculum, you’ll always have fresh lessons, high-quality supplies, and inspiration ready to go. 

Help your students see the world like a modern artist: full of color, movement, and possibilities. 

Explore our monthly art curriculum boxes and digital art lessons today and prepare to create something bold, beautiful, and completely unique.

Sources: 

What is Modern Art — Definition, History and Examples

Wassily Kandinsky | Biography, Abstract Art, Paintings, Style, & Facts | Britannica

Henri Matisse

Pablo Picasso | Biography, Cubism, Famous Paintings, Guernica, & Facts | Britannica