“Grandma” (Anna) Moses was an American folk artist who is known for her paintings of rural life. Learn more about this master artist in this FREE artist study by Masterpiece Society!
“And life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be.” ~Grandma Moses
The Early Life of “Grandma” Anna Moses
Anna Moses (pronunciation) was an American folk artist who is known for her paintings of rural life in the United States. She began painting at the age of 78 and continued to paint until she was 101 years old. Grandma Moses is one of the most famous folk artists in America and her paintings are still popular today.
Grandma Moses was born Anna Mary Robertson on September 7, 1860, in Greenwich, New York. Her family were farmers, and she was one out of ten children. As a child, she enjoyed painting and drawing.
When she was twelve years old, she started attending school at the local academy. After graduating, she worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy family.
In 1887, Anna Moses married Thomas Salmon Moses. The couple had five children together. Sadly, Thomas died in 1927, and Moses moved to Eagle Bridge, New York to live with her daughter, Irma.
An Artist’s Career Begins
In 1930, Grandma Moses began painting pictures of farm life as a hobby. Her first painting was of a farmhouse with a garden and chickens in the yard. She sold her first painting in 1932 for $3.00. The buyer was so impressed with her work that he showed it to the owner of a local art gallery.
The gallery owner was so impressed with Grandma Anna Moses’ paintings that he gave her a one-person show in his gallery. This was a big deal for a folk artist like her, and her paintings grew to be very popular.
In 1940, Grandma Moses was featured in a Life magazine article. This exposure made her even more famous, and her paintings began to sell for high prices, making her art career soar to new heights. Grandma Moses died in 1961 at the age of 101, but she will always be remembered for how she achieved great success in her old age, serving as a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new!
For more project ideas, check out these Grandma Moses-inspired art projects here:
5 Fun Grandma Moses Folk Art Activities For Kids by Homeschool to Unschool
Easy Grandma Moses Artist Study for Kids by Our Journey Westward
Wash Day with Grandma Moses by The Laughing Zebra
