Andy Warhol

An American Artist1928-1987

Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Often bed-ridden as a child, he became an outcast at school.

At times when he was confined to bed, he drew, listened to the radio and collected pictures of movie stars around his bed. 

Andy loved to draw. These are some drawings he made of the cats he owned.

It was easy to remember their names.

They were all called Sam!

Andy used everyday objects in his paintings.

He gave people a different view of the world that he saw around him.

Many of his paintings show repeats of the same image over and over.

This is a sculpture he made to look like soap boxes in a grocery store.

He painted everyday objects in strong bright colors.

This type of art was called POP art, short for POPular.

A friend told Andy to paint what he loved. So he painted money.

Warhol’s art was a big change in the way people thought about art.

People started buying his art.

So he kept on painting money.

Warhol is remembered as the founder of POP art.

Andy loved wearing wigs. The crazier the better.

Can you tell what the subject is in these two paintings?How are they alike?How are they different?

Andy was friends with many famous people, like Michael Jackson.

Many famous people paid Andy to paint their portrait.

Of course he didn’t just paint them once.

Every time he painted them they would turn out different.

This is not a painting by Andy.

Its funny because the artist borrowed 2 of Warhol’s subjects, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson, and combined them to make a new person.

Marilyn Monroe was a famous movie star. She was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world when she died.

When Andy painted her, he didn’t worry that she look perfect.

He painted her face over and over and over again.

Do you think she is beautiful?

Which colors are your favorite?

In this painting he used real gold.

Does this look finished to you? Andy thought it did.

How are these 2 the same?How are they different?

Andy also painted Muhammad Ali.

He is a former American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion

Andy loved painting comics.

What cartoon character do you see?

He painted this famous character.

Do you know who it is?

Andy loved being famous.

Many people took his photograph.

He became as famous as his paintings.

This is a self portrait Andy painted.

Andy painted this soup can that everyone recognized.

Campbell’s soup was not happy. They asked him to stop.

Years later they changed their minds and paid him to paint their new product, chicken noodle soup in a box.

Do you own this toy?

Another thing Andy loved painting was children’s toys.

He wanted people to remember their childhood.

What about this toy? Do you know her name?

Here is Andy Warhol next to his painting.

Andy Warhol predicted that in the future, everyone would be famous for 15 minutes.

In 2008 his painting of Elvis Presley sold for 100 million dollars. It is one of the 10 highest prices ever paid for a painting in the world.

Andy Warhol has been famous for longer than his 15 minutes.