If you love bold, graphic designs and exploring art with kids, you won’t want to miss the ‘I Am Wild’ exhibit at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. Inspired by the iconic work of Charley Harper, this exhibit celebrates his unique way of seeing the natural world—through vibrant colors, geometric shapes, and minimal, yet striking, compositions.
To bring a piece of this artistic magic home, I’ve created a DIY stamping project inspired by Harper’s distinctive style. This simple and fun activity lets kids explore shapes, printmaking, and creativity while making their own animal prints—just like Harper’s iconic artwork. Plus, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, these homemade stamps can be used to make one-of-a-kind cards!
About the ‘I Am Wild’ Exhibit at the Children’s Museum
The ‘I Am Wild’ exhibit immerses visitors in the world of Charley Harper, whose artwork transforms animals into striking, shape-based designs. His approach, often called “minimal realism,” captures the essence of birds, insects, and wildlife through bold lines and geometric forms.
At the exhibit, kids and families can explore interactive displays, create their own shape-inspired art, and learn about Harper’s deep love for nature and conservation. It’s a perfect way to introduce young artists to his unique vision while inspiring them to see the world through an artistic lens.
DIY Charley Harper-Inspired Stamping Project
This easy and engaging printmaking project allows kids to build their own animal stamps using simple geometric shapes. Whether they want to make birds, fish, or any other wild creature, this activity encourages creativity while reinforcing Harper’s style.
Materials You’ll Need:
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Adhesive craft foam shapes or adhesive foam sheets
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Scissors
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Cardboard squares, or wooden blocks, bottle caps, anything hard to use for the stamp base
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Brayers (small ink rollers)
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Washable block printing ink or acrylic paint
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white or colored paper- I love this neon card stock from Astrobright
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Create Your Stamp Design
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Use pre cut foam shapes, or cut basic shapes (triangles, circles, rectangles) from adhesive craft foam.
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Arrange and stick them onto a cardboard square or wooden block to form an animal, just like Charley Harper’s geometric creatures. Use a pencil to draw lines as detail that will show up in your stamp.
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Ink Your Stamp
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Roll ink onto your foam stamp using a brayer for even coverage.
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If using acrylic paint, apply a thin, smooth layer.
- You can also use an ink pad or even markers if you do not have a brayer or paint to use for printing.
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3. Press & Print
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Firmly press the stamp onto paper and lift to reveal your design.
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Experiment with stamping patterns, using different colors, layering shapes, and adding details with acrylic markers or puffy paint.
4. Optional: Add additional details to you print or a Valentine’s Day Twist!
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Turn your prints into handmade Valentine’s cards by using pink and red ink or cutting out heart shapes to add to your designs.
- Add extra fun and flair to your prints with puffy paint, paint pens, or any supply you'd like to make them more personalized!
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Other Printing Options:
You can also choose to use your DIY stamps with an ink pad! This is a more mess free option. You can check out some stamp pads here
Why This Project is Perfect for Kids
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Encourages creative thinking through shape-based design.
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Introduces basic printmaking techniques in an easy, approachable way.
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Ties into a real-world art exhibit, deepening kids’ appreciation for Harper’s work.
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Provides a hands-on way to make personalized gifts and cards for special occasions.
Visit the Exhibit & Try This at Home!
If you’re in the area, I highly recommend visiting the ‘I Am Wild’ exhibit at the Children’s Museum to see Charley Harper’s work up close and spark even more creative inspiration! Then, bring the fun home with this DIY stamping project and see what wild creations your kids come up with.
Happy stamping!
