A Lesson in Joyful Repetition: Kusama Meets Classroom Creativity
This week in our Upward Together art class, we dove into the whimsical world of Yayoi Kusama — the legendary Japanese artist known for her bold patterns, vibrant colors, and iconic polka dots. Kusama’s work is filled with repetition, rhythm, and emotional expression, making her one of the most inspiring artists to introduce to young creators.
To bring her spirit into the room, we combined pattern, contrast, and character design. The result? Brilliant Kusama-inspired cat portraits bursting with personality.
Why Kusama? A Perfect Fit for Student Creativity
Kusama’s artwork gives students permission to:
✨ Be bold with color
✨ Experiment with lines and patterns
✨ Repeat shapes to create rhythm and flow
✨ Express big emotions through simple visual choices
Her style naturally aligns with art-based SEL: calming repetition, focus, and creative confidence.
The Project: Patterned Cat Portraits
Students began with a simple cat face outline, then used acrylic markers to add:
Large, expressive eyes inspired by Kusama’s iconic oval shapes
Bold color fields (greens, oranges, yellows, blacks)
Striped and repeated patterns on the ears and face
Thick black outlines to create contrast and movement
The artwork they created — like the playful green-eyed cat shown above — highlights what Kusama does best: turning simple shapes into mesmerizing visual experiences.
Creative Skills Covered
🎨 Pattern Making
Students practiced repeating stripes, curved lines, and shapes.
🎨 Expressive Color Theory
They chose bold contrasting colors to make the face come alive.
🎨 Line Confidence
Using thick marker strokes helped students commit to each decision.
🎨 Mindfulness Through Repetition
Kusama’s signature: repetition becomes a calming, focused act.
Student Reactions
They loved it.
There was laughter, curiosity, and that unmistakable “lean-in energy” that happens when a project feels fun and approachable.
Students were empowered to ask:
“What pattern feels most like me?”
“How does color change the emotion of the face?”
“Can I express personality through just a few lines?”
Why This Lesson Works (and Works Well)
This lesson taps into creative simplicity — students don’t get stuck trying to be “perfect.” Instead, they enter a flow state through:
✔️ repetition
✔️ bold choices
✔️ intuitive pattern making
It’s accessible for all skill levels and automatically produces visually striking results.
Just like Kusama herself, the lesson celebrates joy, play, and personal expression.
