Grandma Moses

Grandma Moses is one of my favorite American artists. I love how she painted simply and portrayed everyday scenes of farm life. I admire how she began her painting career when she was in her late 70’s after her arthritis got so bad that she couldn’t embroider any longer. I want to be like her when I grow up, not giving up because you can’t do something any longer, but finding another course to pursue.

Anna Mary Robertson, one of ten children, was born on September 7, 1860, in upstate New York in the town of Greenwich. She married at the age of 27 and had 10 children, 5 of whom died in infancy. She loved to cook, bake and embroider and her first paintings were gifts to family and friends. During the nearly 30 years that she painted, she created over 1600 canvasses! Grandma enjoyed a rich life and passed away on December 13, 1960, at the age of 101.

Have you ever done an art study with your student? Grandma Moses’ artwork would be interesting and fun for all grades. Here are some paintings to investigate.

You can ask questions such as:

What is the theme of this painting? What do you like about this painting?

What season is this painting depicting? What clues let you know?

What is taking place in this picture? Which of these buildings have a water wheel? Do you know what purpose there is for a water wheel? (It provides electricity/ power to a building.)

Further things to do:

Study more paintings of Grandma Moses. CLICK HERE
Visit a building with a water wheel, Clifton Mill in Clifton, OH has a working grist mill powered by a water wheel that you can visit and a restaurant attached to it. To learn more, CLICK HERE. Make a day of it and go to John Bryan State Park or shop in the little town of Yellow Springs.
Have your student copy a quote by Grandma Moses. (picture and quote courtesy of http://www.brainyquote.com)