I stumbled upon the German translation of We Are Artists – Women Who Made Their Mark on the World in a book shop at the end of last year. Anything with Frida Kahlo on it, will get my attention. I browsed the book and liked the concept so much that I didn’t bother ordering the original but bought the German edition immediately. Comparing the two covers, I’m glad I did as I find the German cover more compelling. Both editions were published at the end of 2019.
Kari Herbert’s book is an homage to fifteen female artists from around the world. It’s illustrated with the works of the artists and illustrations in honour of the painters done by Kari Herbert herself.
At the beginning of each chapter is a full colour portrait of the artists by Herbert, followed by an illustrated fictional text and a short biography featuring chosen paintings of the artist.
Here’s the example of Indian painter Amrita Sher-Gil
The chapter on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
Some of the pictures from the chapter of Finnish artist Tove Jansson
And the French painter Suzanne Valadon
Here is one of my favourites, a painting by Australian painter Emily Kame Kngwarreye
While this isn’t a book meant for children, it offers an excellent introduction for younger people. The way Herbert illustrated the book, inspired by the different artists, is in itself inspiring too.
Anyone who loves art, colour, and creativity, would enjoy this. It would also make an excellent gift.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
What a beautiful book! I’m a sucker for anything with Frida on the cover too, though I agree the German edition is lovelier. And how nice to see Tove in there – I saw an exhibition of her non-Moomin art a while back and loved it!
I could have included so many more. They are all stunning and it’s done so well. I haven’t read much yet but what I have I liked.
Tove was so talented. I have her biography here. Was there anything she wasn’t good at?
A lovely book
It really is.
This looks beautiful! I’m also drawn to anything with Frida on it.
It is beautiful. Frida Kahlo was such a stunning artist.
Oo, what a lovely book! And that cover on the German edition is outstanding.
It’s very lovely. The covers are so different. I might nit even have picked it up if I’d seen the English one.
This sounds great, a little like an art version of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls. Frieda Kahlo would catch my eye too. She remains such a source of fascination for many of us.
I have never looked at that book so wouldn’t know. This one wasn’t done with children in mind but since the biographies are only seven pages long each and so many illustrations it would work.
I read Frida Kahlo’s biography ages ago and it stayed with me. Fascinating but also tragic artist.
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This looks so beautiful, Caroline! Such gorgeous artwork! Can’t stop looking at the pages you have shared! Thanks so much for sharing!
My pleasure. It’s such a colorful book. So uplifting.