American artist Romare Bearden influenced Michael Cummings in New York during Cummings' early career as an artist, when the future quilt artist was painting and making collages. Reflections exemplifies his work around the time he viewed Abstract Design in American Quilts at the Whitney Museum. While the collage aesthetic has continued throughout his career, including his fascination with the Cubist style of Braque and Picasso, Cummings transitioned from paper to fabric not long after he completed this collage. Reflections is part of the exhibition, Abstract Design in American Quilts at 50: New York Nexus.