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A patchwork of history, memory and hope

March 21, 2023 by Shellie Wilson

[“Spring” by Avis Collins Robinson, 2023. (Photographed by Steve Parke for The Washington Post)]

Abstraction in visual art is a combination of different elements, including color, line, form, and perspective. It is also rooted in an artist’s personal experiences.

For Avis Collins Robinson, a Black woman artist, her experiences as a Black woman in America are a precious source of inspiration. Her art reflects the lives and struggles of her ancestors, who refused to be defeated despite the challenges they faced. In her art, Robinson incorporates history and memory in subtle and explicit ways.

She reflects on the intersection of her identity as a Black woman and her art in an article for the Washington Post.

She discusses how her lived experience shapes her visual art, including her quilt called “Spring” which depicts the reawakening of nature during the season, but also acknowledges the pain and injustice that springtime has brought to Black communities in Washington D.C. throughout history.

Robinson explains how her technique for this piece required her to plan in more detail than usual while maintaining a sense of spontaneity, and how she incorporates found fabrics with personal meaning in her work, connecting her family’s history to her artistic practice.

She also introduces “Seasons,” a project for The Washington Post which will continue through the year, exploring new directions in her art while honoring the traditions of African American fabric art.

The article is a beautiful reflection on the power of art to represent personal experiences and histories while also creating something new and beautiful.

Read her piece in The Washington Post here.

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Have you read?

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!

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