Springtime Circular Jigsaw Puzzle

Experience the exuberant beauty of spring through the revolutionary vision of Alma Thomas with this unique 500-piece circular jigsaw puzzle featuring her vibrant abstract masterpiece, "Springtime." This premium puzzle celebrates one of the 20th century's most remarkable artists, whose brilliant Color Field paintings emerged after she retired from teaching and transformed the art world in her seventies.

Alma Woodsey Thomas (1891-1978) lived an extraordinary life that defied every expectation for a Black woman born in 19th-century Georgia. Born in Columbus to a family that valued education and uplift, Thomas moved with her family to Washington, D.C., in 1907, seeking relief from the racial violence of the South and greater educational opportunities.

In 1924, she became Howard University's first fine arts graduate and the first woman of any race to earn an art degree from the institution. For the next 35 years, Thomas devoted herself to teaching art at Shaw Junior High School, establishing the first art gallery in D.C. public schools, and creating enrichment programs that touched an entire generation. She once said, "I devoted my life to the children and they loved me."

It wasn't until 1960, when Thomas retired at age 68, that she became a full-time professional artist. While studying at American University with Jacob Kainen, she discovered Color Field painting and color theory, which completely transformed her practice. Within a decade, this late-blooming artist achieved what few accomplish in a lifetime: in 1972, at age 80, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at New York's prestigious Whitney Museum of American Art, and her work was selected for the White House's permanent art collection, making her the first Black woman so honored.

In this captivating circular puzzle image, Thomas's signature style radiates with pure joy and vitality. Concentric circles of brilliant color pulse outward from a soft green center like ripples in a pond or the unfolding of spring itself. Bold reds dominate the composition, interspersed with vibrant bands of yellow, orange, pink, blue, and green.

Thomas created these mosaic-like patterns using her characteristic short, lozenge-shaped brushstrokes, which became known as "Alma's Stripes" and were applied in rhythmic bands that suggest both movement and music. The technique draws comparisons to Byzantine mosaics and Georges Seurat's pointillism, yet remains distinctly Thomas's own invention.

Inspired by the view from her Washington, D.C., home, where she lived for over 70 years, Thomas observed the crepe myrtle and holly trees framing her house and maintained a garden that provided endless inspiration. She once explained her artistic philosophy: "I've never bothered painting the ugly things in life. People struggling, having difficulty. You meet that when you go out, and then you have to come back and see the same thing hanging on the wall. No. I wanted something beautiful that you could sit down and look at. And then, the paintings change you."

Living through segregation, the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam War, Thomas consciously chose to create art centered on beauty and happiness, believing that color itself could be transformative.

This luxury circular puzzle is meticulously crafted from thick, recycled paperboard, with a 250-GSM matte art paper that showcases Thomas's luminous palette without glare. The unique circular format perfectly complements Thomas's concentric composition, creating an engaging, puzzling experience. Measuring 22" x 22" when completed, this puzzle includes an 8x10-inch reference insert of the artwork.

Thomas's work is held in major collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum (which maintains the world's largest public collection), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the White House. Her painting "Alma's Flower Garden" sold for $2.8 million in 2021, cementing her place among America's most important artists.

Jigsaw puzzles offer a perfect respite from digital overwhelm while providing numerous mental wellness benefits. Focused concentration naturally reduces stress and anxiety while improving cognitive function and problem-solving skills. The circular format adds an extra dimension of meditative engagement as you work from the center outward or the edge inward.

Gather with family and friends to create lasting memories through collaborative achievement, honoring Thomas's lifelong dedication to education and community. Once completed, your striking 22x22-inch circular masterpiece can be framed as extraordinary wall art that brings Thomas's vision of beauty and transformation into your home, gifted to art lovers and educators, or carefully disassembled for future enjoyment.