With Guest Artists: Madison Guevara, age 10, Gabriel Perez age 9, Joseph Rincon, age 8.
Kids Corner:“ Trees of Life "
I n this project we are inspired by the work of famous artist Gustov Klimt’ s trees
of life. Creating barren trees that are decorated and embellished is a fun winter project. Mixing media, adding layers, and embellishing the surface require the young artist to work with a plan, have manual dexterity in cutting and gluing and decision making in color and composition. This is a great project for ages 8 and up.
Before we started we talked about famous painter Gustov Klimt and looked at his paintings of his trees of life for inspiration.
Klimt was an Austrian symbolist painter, Art Nouveau influenced, and he loved to mix styles. His trees of life symbolize the complexity and interconnectedness of life.
Trees branches represent the journey from birth to death and the connection between heaven and earth and the underworld. Talking with the young artists about Klimt’ s trees set the tone for the actual hands-on art.
Inspired by Artist Gustov Klimt
With Guest Artists: Madison Guevara, age 10, Gabriel Perez age 9, Joseph Rincon, age 8.
There is always hope, as long as the canvases are empty.- Gustav Klimt
SUPPLIES:
• Watercolor paper
• White Poster board
• Large Brushes
• Acrylic Paint
• Paper plates palette
• Water
• Containers for water
• Scissors
• Glue gun, glue sticks
• Embellishments for decoration:( stick on gems, flowers etc)
• Paint Pens
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Image 1: Gabriel paints a white poster board with black and brown acrylic.
Image 2: When black / brown paint is dry, Joseph turns over poster board to white side, draws a tree outline and cuts out the tree. The black / brown painted side is on reverse.
Image 3: Madison is using cool colors in acrylic paint on watercolor paper to create her background. Gabriel is using warm colors and Joseph cool blue tones. They let the colors mix as they paint with large brushes.
56 WINTER 2026 Gilroy • Morgan Hill TODAY Magazine: Go. Make history... gmhtoday. com