This was about Helen Frankenthaler and her journey through painting. She went through ups and downs until she got to something she loved.

This picture book biography tells about the life of Helen Frankenthaler, an artist in the modernism field who emphasized the evocativeness of color.

The story begins with Helen's early childhood as someone who didn't follow the rules, then travels through her education and early works before landing on an emotional journey of her painting one giant work imbued with all the colors and memories of her childhood. The first part of the book is a bit more on the strictly factual side while this last part is almost entirely lyrical. I felt like it made for a jarring juxtaposition and that the ending was somewhat ambiguous.

I was glad for some additional biographical details in the backmatter that confirms Frankenthaler did have success after this. Sadly, I was completely unfamiliar with her prior to reading this book (a combination of not having been taught about her in the one formal art history course I took and of me not being a huge fan of modern art so not seeking out more information about the movement and its artists), so this was informative in that respect.

The illustrations are sweeping and indicative of movement and emotion. They appear to be watercolors supplemented with line drawings, but I am not certain about that at all. Back matter includes a timeline of events in the Frankenthaler's life, a hands-on activity to try, an author's note, and a bibliography. ( )

Helen Frankenthaler set out to prove them all wrong. They said that only men could paint. They were sadly mistaken. She became an originator of the influential “Color Field” style of abstract expressionist painting with her “soak stain” technique, and her artwork continues to electrify new generations of artists today. I would recommend this for anyone interested in art and biographies on people that are not as well known. ( )

picture book biography about a lesser known artist, who SHOULD be taught to us all. "Color Field" abstract art ... ( )