Pure visual art is a silent communicator. The people who make it have something to say, yet they don't always say it out loud. They count on others to look at their art, and to gather meaning from materials and forms arranged to pluck familiar and unfamiliar chords. Some artists have the gift of gab. They are sociable and outspoken. Those artists…

This article profiles Frank Woodberry Applebee (1902-1988) and features Applebee's painting called "Monday." Applebee was born in Boston and attended the Massachusetts College of Art. Throughout his career, Applebee continued his learning, and in the 1940s took a correspondence course in drawing from the Ralph M. Pearson Design Workshop. He…

Back in the 18th century, it was popular to give one's lover a locket containing a painted image of one's eye. Possibly this was a way of keeping privacy between two secret lovers. Or it may have been a way of keeping close to the gaze of a loved one while spending time apart. The pendants may have included a lock of hair or other tiny element…

How "could" one borrow a view? The works of artist, Ray Kass (b. 1944) are as much, if not more, about the experience and process of perception and art-making as they are about the final objects he creates. Kass is notorious for not solely his art making, but also for his thinking. He thinks, he writes, he teaches, he discusses, he organizes…

Provides information on Maltby Sykes, the painter, addressing issues such as his assignment during World War II, being an apprentice to Diego Rivera, and his relationship with George C. Miller. Discusses both the painting and the sketch titled "Hills." Includes activities in geography, visual art, history, and mathematics. (CMK)

Discusses the content and technique used by Ralston Crawford in his painting "Under the Third Avenue El (The Brewery)." Provides background information on the life of Crawford as well as learning activities in various subject areas such as language arts, social studies, and mathematics (CMK)

Provides information on china painting, focusing on Kurt Weiser, who paints on ceramics using china paints. Discusses his techniques and describes his work titled "Woman with Mongoose." Includes accompanying projects for art history, visual arts, language arts, natural science, and science or mathematics. (CMK)

Discusses the life and artwork of Roger Brown and describes the imagery and content of his work entitled "Celebration of the Uncultivated -- A Garden of the World." Provides a reprint of the painting and activities in visual and language arts, the social science, natural science, and geometry. (CMK)

Addresses Edward Hopper's painting "Light at Two Lights" and the painting's real life subject, Cape Elizabeth Light (Maine). Discusses the fate of lighthouses; includes lessons in visual arts, mathematics and science, language arts, geography, and social studies; and lists internet sites for Edward Hopper and lighthouses. (CMK)

Focuses on the painting done by John Sloan called "Grand Central Station" and provides background information on the subject matter and the artist. Includes projects in social studies, language arts, mathematics, and visual arts appropriate for upper-elementary through high school students. (CMK)

Discusses the life and artwork of Charles Burchfield, particularly focusing on his depiction of nature, watercolor techniques, and use of symbolism in his artwork entitled "Arctic Owl and Winter Moon." Provides lessons for philosophy, visual arts, music, natural science, language arts, and astronomy. (CMK)

Highlights the life of Leonard Koscianski, an artist who focuses on revealing the inner life of the human heart and mind in his artwork. Includes four lesson plans for grades ranging from 2 through 12: philosophy, psychology, language arts, and visual arts. Provides a copy and background about Koscianski's painting "Red Fish." (CMK)

Presents background information on the life and career of George Luks. Describes one of his paintings called "Tea Party" that pokes fun at the upper classes while paying homage to humanity. Includes activities in literature, social studies, science, mathematics, history, and visual arts. (CMK)