Storytime & Artmaking: Uncle Andy’s Cats

Take inspiration from James Warhola's book Uncle Andy’s Cats, which was inspired by Andy Warhol, to create a cat stencil. (While this activity is inspired by a book, you do not need to read the book to do the activity.)

About the Book

It all started with a little blue cat named Hester. Then along came Sam, and it was love at first sight? and lots of little Sams! While the cats are perfectly happy stampeding through Uncle Andy's art studio and frolicking among his soup boxes, the humans know things have to change. So Uncle Andy devises a brilliant plan to make his cats famous—and easier to find homes for.

Getting Started

  • What animal would you make a stencil of?
  • How do you think your animal feels?
  • What expression would you draw on your animal?

Materials

  • Paper
  • Cereal box
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Markers
  • Construction paper (optional)

Artmaking Activity

1. Draw or trace a cat.

2. Pick one cat. Cut it out yourself, or ask an adult to help you.

3. Trace the cat on a cereal box. (You can tape the cat to the cereal box to make tracing easier.)

4. Cut the cat out.

5. This is your stencil!

6. Use your stencil to draw this cat over and over. (Tape the stencil to your drawing paper to make tracing easier.)

7. Decorate!

8. Cut out the cats and tape them around your house!

Optional: Share your creations on social media with #AlbrightKnox and #MuseumFromHome!

Vocabulary

Stencil: an object used to reproduce designs

Multiples: making more than one item

Pop art: a style of art based on simple, bold images of everyday items and pop culture