Waddingtons, "Polar Bear Family", 500pcs

2017.10.29 - date completed
"Waddingtons" (UK)
Wildlife
"Baby Harp Seal", 1989 year
De-Luxe 500 Puzzle
Illustration: Leonard Pearman

B.V. Leisure, "The Fishing Edition", 529 pcs

2017.10.28 - date completed
V.B. Leisure (UK)
World's Most Difficult Jigsaw Puzzle
"The Fishing Edition"
529 pieces
Illustration: Dave F Smith

NOTE: Only 529 pieces - seems like 4000. Why so difficult? This 529 piece puzzle is double sided, depicting the same artwork on both sides, rotated 90° with respect to each other. The puzzle is then die cut once from each side so top and bottom are identical!

What makes it so difficult? Most jigsaw puzzles have a picture on one side only, this puzzle has a picture on both sides, rotated ninety degrees from each other, and it's the same picture! That's very difficult, but it's only half the story! All other regular jigsaw puzzles have vertical interlocking lines all cut from the same side so that it is immediately obvious which is the top. This puzzle has the vertical interlocking lines cut from one side and equally spaced horizontal interlocking lines cut from the other side. It's impossible to distinguish one side from the other. Each piece must be compared on both sides for size, shape, and colour. Believe me, this is difficult!

B.V. Leisure, "Trying is the first step towards failure" Photomosaics, 1000pcs

2017.10.22 - date completed
V.B. Leisure (UK)
Photomosaics
The Simpsons
"Trying is the first step towards failure", 2005 year
1000 pieces
Illustration: Matt Groening

NOTE: Thousands of miniature scenes combined to make one awesome portrait!

Homer Simpson - despite lifelong belittlement by his father, Homer deeply loves and is intensely devoted to his wife and kids, when it occurs to him. Thus, Lisa feels left out, Bart acts out, and, as far as Homer is concerned, Maggie rarely even exist. As for Marge, Homer often sings her praises - between rounds of beer at Moe's Tavern. Now, if only he could remember the words to that praise-song. Homer is a man who, through punishing trial and error, has proven that even one's loftiest goals are attainable. Provided you set them low enough and assuming they include donuts. He is also well versed in the ins and outs of his job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, having been fired and rehired repeatedly for the same position.

Welcome to Springfield, USA - the town that put the "fun" in dysfunctional! Whether enjoying the shotgun sociability of Moe's Tavern, a creamed corn-sicle at the Springfield Retirement Castle, the gene-altering radiance of the Springfield Nuclear Plant, or the warm perspiration of a Kwik-E-Mart heat-lamp dog, you'll always feel special in Springfield, where - compared to US - you're royalty!

Gibsons, "Summer Colours - Dianne Flynn", 1000pcs

2017.10.08 - date completed
Gibsons Puzzles (UK)
Heritage
"Summer Colours - Dianne Flynn"
1000 piece de luxe puzzle
Illustration: Dianne Flynn

NOTE: The Artist - Dianne Flynn.  Born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Dianne studied at Huddersfield School of Art and Batley School of art. From 1970-1973 she studied at Manchester School of Art and graduated with the Diploma in Art and Design. In 1974 she was awarded the Art Teacher's Certificate by Leeds Polytechnic Institute of Art Education.

She lived and painted in Languedoc during 1974 and in Tuscany during 1977 and 1978. Since 1976 she has been a full-time painter, and has lived in Normandy since 1989.

For several years she demonstrated and lectured throughout the country for George Rowney & Co., on the various techniques of oil, acrylic, watercolour and pastel. 

An accomplished portrait painter, her book "Portrait Drawing Techniques" was published by Batsford in 1979. She has also written a number of articles on portrait painting for the Artist magazine.

From 1982-1995 her paintings were sold exclusively by MacConnal-Mason of Duke Street, London SW1 and were exhibited in many places worldwide, including The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht,  New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Monaco.

Exhibited at: Huddersfield gallery, Ferens Art Gallery (Hull), The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Royal Overseas League (First Prize winner), The Pastel Society, Liberty's Art Gallery, Francis Iles Gallery (Rochester), Seen Gallery (London), The Art Centre (Bedford), Harrod's Picture Gallery, Galerie Joniskeit (Stuttgart), Michael Stewart Fine Art (Brighton), Magee Art Gallery (Belfast), Cooper Fine Arts (London), Polak Gallery (London), Gallery Chaye (Honfleur).