Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter
Nonfiction
For ages 8 to 12
Abrams, 2006 ISBN: 978-0810954779
Andy always loved to draw. He drew with his mother and with his two brothers and when the children were acting up, their mother would have a drawing contest to keep them busy. Andy always won the prize of a chocolate bar. His love of drawing kept him going when he got rheumatic fever at the age of eight. For months he had to rest in bed and coloring books helped make the time bearable. When he was finally better he was able to take art classes for gifted children at the Carnegie museum and these went on for years right through high school. There can be no doubt that the classes gave Andy an excellent beginning on his road towards becoming an artist.
In 1945 Andy was able to go to college where he studied painting and design. Andy did not work in a traditional way and this got him into trouble. Thankfully one of his teachers was willing to give him a second chance and after a stint in summer school, Andy was able to continue at the college.
When he left college Andy went to New York where, after a rather penniless period, he began to get jobs designing advertisements and cards. It was work that he enjoyed and that he was good at, and he began to get a reputation. His mother came to live with him - to take care of him – and as Andy got more and more successful he was able to collect art for himself.
As his reputation grew, the next step was not that big a one to take - Andy began to create works of art and not just pieces for commercial advertising. He began to paint his famous “Soup Can” paintings. Then there were rows and rows of dollar bills and Coke bottles. His love for the movies prompted him to create images of Marilyn Monroe in many ways. Andy Warhol was off and Pop Art would never be the same.
In this wonderfully presented book, which is as colorful and vibrant as much of Andy Warhol’s art, Susan Goldman Rubin tells Andy Warhol’s story in an engaging and interesting way. The book gives young readers an excellent introduction to the life and work of Andy Warhol, whose unique creations had an enormous impact on the world of art. This title is full of excellent reproductions of Andy Warhol’s creations, and at the back of the book the author has included a time line which provides readers with a snapshot view of Andy’s life.
