Age Range: 8+

Time to Complete: 15-20 minutes.

Supplies Needed

• Pencil

• Construction paper (one sheet light and another dark)

• Paste

• Scissors

• Ruler

This project works best with contrasting colors of paper. Black and white are standard, but any two colors that are noticeably different will do.

1. Measure and cut out a 6-inch square.

2. Use a pencil to sketch simple shapes on all four sides of the 6-inch square. Make sure that the position, size, and facing of each of these shapes is approximately the same as those drawn on the other sides.

3. Carefully cut out each shape in whole pieces. All of the pieces will be glued back on, so don’t worry about following your own guidelines perfectly. Once you’ve cut your shape, don’t try to perfect it, just move on.

You can cut into your square, as long as you keep your square in one piece by the end.

4. Keep track of all of your shapes. Make sure you have them all before moving on.

(See how there are some cuts to get the semi-circles?)

5. Add glue to the back of your central square shape. It’s easier to place this piece first and make the smaller pieces match up than to do the opposite.

6. One you’ve glued your central square, try to match up your pieces to where they came from.

7. Glue your shapes down, and begin to assemble a creative design being mindful of the composition.

Once you’ve finished, admire your hard work.

Share your finished artwork with us on social media, tag us @thebmoa on Facebook and Instagram.

About the artist

Joyce Kohl

Joyce Kohl was born in Oakland, CA. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Studio Art at Empire State College in Saratoga, NY, Kohl received her Master’s of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1977. Her first full-time teaching job was at University of Southern California where she worked for seven years. In 1987 she became Professor of Fine Art at California State University, Bakersfield where she has remained professor to the present day. Much of Kohl’s work involves a combination of old and new. Her interests involve uniting the past and present, so viewers can think about the kinds of artwork they will leave behind for future people.