Puzzles

Puzzle: The End of a Perfect Day, by Darrell Bush


Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 50.8 cm x 68.58 cm
Producer: Karmin International, The art of Darrell Bush series
Artist: Darrell Bush – Awared-winning artist Darrell Bush brilliantly captures the unspoiled, simple beauty of the outdoors. From a North Woods campsite to a polished wooden runabout resting on a quiet lake, Bush’s acrylics suggest that these peaceful settings are only a memory away. He familiarizes the viewer with outdoor and wildlife subjects while often adding a touch of nostalgia.

In 1984,after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in commercial art from Northern Illinois University, Bush moved to Minnesota and worked as a commercial illustrator for five years. “It was during this time I began pursuing a second career, my true love, wildlife art,” he said. In 1987, he won his first major award, the Idaho Uploand Game Stamp Competition. In 1990, he became a full-time artist and one year later signed with Hadley House.

Since then, Bush’s success has escalated dramatically. He received international recognition when he was chosen for the September, 1996 “Wonders of Nature” exhibit in Hong Kong. U.S.ART named him among America’s Most Popular Artists in 1995, 1996 and 1998.

He and his family reside in Moline. [Puzzle box, mistakes omitted]

 

By the same artist the other puzzles available in the series are: “Crescent Moon Bay”, “Autumn Lake”, “Twilight Calm”.

Puzzle: Japanese Garden


Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.7 cm x 39.4 cm
Producer: Sure-Lox
Notes: A catalogue of features “typical” of the Japanese garden may be drawn up without inquiring deeply into the aesthetic underlying Japanese practice. Typical Japanese gardens have at their center a home from which the garden is viewed. In addition to residential architecture, depending on the archetype, Japanese gardens often contain several of these elements:

* Water, real or symbolic.
* A bridge over the water, or stepping stones.
* Rocks or stone arrangements (or settings).
* A lantern, typically of stone.
* A teahouse or pavilion.
* An enclosure device such as a hedge, fence, or wall of traditional character. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Audubon – Eastern Bluebird II


Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 45.72cm x 45.72cm
Producer: Buffalo Games
Box: photo
Photographer: Richard Day / Daybreak Imagery
Notes: The Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands and orchards, and most recently can be spotted in suburban areas. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York.

Adults have a white belly. Adult males are bright blue and red on top and have a reddish brown throat and breast. Adult females have lighter blue wings and tail, a brownish throat and breast and a grey crown and back. Eastern Bluebirds are found east of the Rockies, southern Canada to the Gulf States and southeastern Arizona to Nicaragua.

The bright blue breeding plumage of the male, easily observed on a wire or open perch, fluttering down to the mowed grass to capture a grasshopper, cricket or beetle makes this species a favorite of birders. [Wiki]

http://fingeringzen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Audubon-Eastern-Bluebird-II-box.jpg

Puzzle: San Francisco, California


Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 51.12cm x 66.52cm
Producer: Big Ben, MB Puzzles
Notes: The Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco, California, is a monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition  in order to exhibit works of art presented there. One of only a few surviving structures from the Exposition, it is the only one still situated on its original site. It was rebuilt in 1965, and renovation of the lagoon, walkways, and a seismic retrofit were completed in early 2009.

Built around a small artificial lagoon, The Palace of Fine Arts is composed of a wide, 1100 foot pergola, an arch formed by rows of Corinthian columns framing a wide walkway, around a central rotunda situated by the water. The lagoon was intended to echo those found in classical settings in Europe, where the expanse of water provides a mirror surface to reflect the grand buildings and an undisturbed vista to appreciate them from a distance.

Ornamentation includes Bruno Louis Zimm’s three repeating panels around the entablature of the rotunda representing “The Struggle for the Beautiful” symbolizing Greek culture, while Ulric Ellerhusen supplied the weeping women atop the colonnade and the sculptured frieze and allegorical figures representing Contemplation, Wonderment and Meditation.

The underside of the Palace rotunda’s dome features eight large insets, which originally contained murals by Robert Reid. Four of the murals depicted the conception and birth of Art, “its commitment to the Earth, its progress and acceptance by the human intellect,” and four depicted the “golds” of California (poppies, citrus fruits, metallic gold, and golden wheat). [Wiki]

Puzzle: Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve, Portugal


Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 51.12cm x 66.52cm
Producer: Big Ben, MB Puzzles
Notes: Vila Real de Santo Antonio was erected at great speed, in only two years time (construction took place between 1774 and 1776). The Marquis of Pombal was responsible for its planning. He designed the town in a Pombaline orthogonal grid. In a pioneering technique, entire buildings were prefabricated in pieces outside the city, and then transported to their final destination to be assembled. This procedure permitted a fast and methodical construction of the town.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio started to thrive by the end of the 19th century thanks to the growth of the fish industry and concentration of fish-processing plants in the city. Tuna and sardine were particularly important to the city’s economy. In 1886, it became the first city in the Algarve to have gas lighting installed. The fish industry came to a decline in the 1960s and tourism quickly took over as the principal income generator.

Several artists were born and/or worked in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, providing a rich heritage in literature and visual arts. The native poet Antonio Aleixo was particularly prominent. [Wiki]

Puzzle: New Palace Gardens, Warwickshire, England


Size: 1000 pieces
Dimensions: 51.12cm x 66.52cm
Producer: Big Ben, MB Puzzles
Notes: Warwickshire is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare from Stratford-upon-Avon. Even today, road signs at the county boundary describe Warwickshire as “Shakespeare’s County”. The county has also produced other literary figures such as George Eliot (from Nuneaton), Rupert Brooke (from Rugby), and Michael Drayton from Hartshill.

Much of western Warwickshire, including that area now forming part of Birmingham and the West Midlands, was covered by the ancient Forest of Arden  (most of which was cut down to provide fuel for industrialisation). Thus the names of a number of places in the northwestern part of Warwickshire end with the phrase “-in-Arden”, such as Henley-in-Arden, Hampton-in-Arden and Tanworth-in-Arden. The remaining area, not part of the forest, was called the Felden – from fielden. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Fairy Tales


Size: 54 large pieces
Dimensions: 38 cm x 61 cm
Producer: Djeco, Discovery Puzzle series, 4-6 years old
Notes: All around one big picture in the centre, lots of things to find! Start by putting all the pieces of the puzzle together, then have fun finding items from the border in the picture in the centre. [Puzzle box]

It took me about 5-10 minutes to assemble in a leisurely pace. I think it would be great for kids. There are lots of fairy tale characters – witch, vampire, ghost, dragon, demon, a variety of royal representation, animals, and monsters. I shall save this one for descendants.

Puzzle: The Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci


Size: 1000 pieces, 1 missing
Dimensions: 51 cm x 73.5 cm
Producer: Gospel Puzzle, #98-10
Notes: The Last Supper (Italian: Il Cenacolo or L’Ultima Cena) is a 15th century mural painting in Milan created by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Duke Ludovico Sforza and his duchess Beatrice d’Este. It represents the scene of The Last Supper from the final days of Jesus as narrated in the Gospel of John 13:21, when Jesus announces that one of his Twelve Apostles would betray him.

The Last Supper specifically portrays the reaction given by each apostle when Jesus said one of them would betray him. All twelve apostles have different reactions to the news, with various degrees of anger and shock. Bartholomew, James, son of Alphaeus and Andrew form a group of three, all are surprised. Judas Iscariot, Peter and John form another group of three. Judas is wearing green and blue and is in shadow, looking rather withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. They are followed by Jesus. Apostle Thomas, James the Greater and Philip are the next group of three. Matthew, Jude Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot are the final group of three. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Hidden Pictures by Larry Evans


Size: 550 pieces
Dimensions: 45.72 cm x 60.96 cm
Producer: Great American Puzzle Factory
ISBN: 1-878729-27-6
Notes: Find the 49 Hidden Objects!

As the brave knight rescues the fair maiden from the horrible dragon, he is unaware of the hidden objects that surround him.

Hidden in the picture are:

Saddle, Giraffe, Indian Chief, Hippo, Two lions, Shark, Whale, Brontosaurus, Chicken, Jigsaw puzzle piece, Egret, Panda, Rabbit, Bear, Dob, Parrot, Ostrich, Skeleton, Pliers, Hammer, Blacksmith, swan, Lobster, Weathervane, Walrus, Toucan (bird with a long beak), Eagle, Ladybug, Mouse, Frog, Bell, Bride, Bull, Unicorn, Skier, Baseball, bald headed man, Alligator, Suit of armor, Goldfish, Ballet dancer, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Clown policeman, Woolly Mammoth, Antique auto, Baby, Two acrobats on the flying trapeze, Turkey, Hat. [Puzzle box]

Puzzle: Angkor Wat, Cambodia


Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 38 cm x 52 cm
Producer: TOMAX, #61101
Notes: Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II  in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world’s largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat  and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx  of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Wizard by Keith Birdsong


Size: 550 pieces
Dimensions: 61cm x 46cm
Producer: Ceaco, Glow in the Dark series, # 2333-33
Artist: Keith Birdsong
Original: photo
Notes: A self-taught artist, Keith Birdsong has illustrated several hundred book jackets for publishers such as Pocket Books, New American Library, Harlequin, Scholastic, Berkley, Random House and so on… His works have encompassed science fiction, fantasy, action adventure, suspense, horror, young adult, romance, and licensing. He is very well known for his work with Paramount and Pocket’s “Star Trek” books, posters and The Hamilton Collection collector’s plate series. Keith has also worked on many assignments with the U.S. Postal Service which have included 13 postage stamps and many combative collectable’s…one of which is on display in the Smithsonian in D.C. [Artworks Illustration site]

Puzzle: Taj Mahal Dreams by Walter Pepperle


Size: 1000 pieces, triptychon
Dimensions: 98cm x 37.5cm
Producer:  Ravensburger, no. 19 990 7
Artist: Walter Pepperle
Box: Puzzles and Beyond
Notes: The Taj Mahal (from Persian/Urdu: “crown of buildings”) is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator’s glory.

[Shah Jahan]

[Wiki]

Puzzle: Twilight Tempest by Ed Beard Jr.


Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 61cm x 46cm
Producer: Ceaco, Glow in the Dark series, # 1108-21
Artist: Ed Beard Jr.: “Fantasy Art is far more than just the end result of a visual image, it’s the journey one takes to get there. Creating the unique tangible original art work made from hand Craftsmanship is what completes that journey!”
Box: photo
Notes: The Wizard and Dragon head out into the night to engage in battle against those who would attack their castle.  Their night scene comes alive with the setting sun. [Ed Beard Jr. site]

A tempest is a violent storm. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Ruslan and Ludmilla


Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 48cm in diameter
Producer:  Falcon, Skaska series
Art: RUSSIAN LACQUER, LEGENDS and FAIRY TALES.  Russian Lacquer Miniature Painting, an important 20th century art form, originates in the four small villages of Palekh, Kholui, Fedoskino and Mstera in the U.S.S.R. where it has been flourishing since the 1920s. Lacquered miniatures, as bright as the feathers of the legendary Firebird, take the poetic art of the extraordinarily talented artists of these villages to the far corners of the world.

The paintings are inspired by Russian legends and fairy tales and are executed on a specially treated papier mâché. The boxes themselves are a feat of technical skill and beauty before a single stroke of the brush is applied. They range in size from a tiny casket no more than 1″ x 1″ upon which an entire story unfolds, to large jewelry boxes, plates and panels.

The colours used are rich oranges, reds and yellows, brilliant blues and opulent gold on backgrounds of jet black or red lacquer. Each village has its own distinct and unique techniques.

The paintings reproduced on these puzzles are taken from the book: RUSSIAN LACQUER, LEGENDS and FAIRY TALES© and used with the kind permission of the publisher and author, Lucy Maxym, noted authority on Russian lacquer, of Manhasset, New York, U.S.A. Skaska means fairy tale in Russian. [Puzzle box insert]

Notes: “Ruslan and Ludmilla” is a monumental poem by the great Alexander Pushkin. A sumptuous banquet is given by the Grand Duke Svietosar in honour of his beautiful daughter Ludmilla. During the height of the festivities, Ludmilla mysteriously disappears, abducted by the evil sorceror, Chernomor. After numerous trials, her suitor, the Knight Ruslan, rescues Ludmilla and brings her back to her home, where they are married and live happily every after. The scene shown on this puzzle depicts Ludmilla walking in the magnificent gardens surrounding Chernomor’s castle, awaiting her rescue by Ruslan. [Puzzle box]

Puzzle: Princess of Light by Josephine Wall


Size: 600 pieces
Dimensions: 60.96cm in diameter
Producer:  Rose Art, MoonGlow series
Artist: Josephine Wall is an English born artist who currently resides in the seaside community of Dorset, England. She specializes in mystical, surreal-like, fantasy paintings. [Bio on Josephine Wall site]

Notes: With hair of glistening crystal the princess revels in her task of bringing light to the world. Shining brightly her precious orb reflects her earthly guise, attracting the attention of some passing moths. Flowers burst into bloom excited by her life giving light. The princess travels on, bringing light to even the darkest corners of our world. [Josephine Wall UK site]

Puzzle: Bay Bridge, San Francisco, U.S.A.


Size: 1000 pieces
Notes: The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (known locally as the Bay Bridge) is a pair of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay of California, in the United States. Forming part of Interstate 80 and of the direct road route between San Francisco and Oakland, it carries approximately 270,000 vehicles per day on its two decks. It has one of the longest spans in the world.

The toll bridge was conceived as early as the gold rush days, but construction did not begin until 1933. Designed by Charles H. Purcell, and built by American Bridge Company, it opened for traffic on November 12, 1936, six months before the Golden Gate Bridge. It originally carried automobile traffic on its upper deck, and trucks and trains on the lower, but after the closure of the Key System, the lower deck was converted to road traffic as well. [Wiki]

I do not have a record of the producer of the puzzle as I do not have the box anymore. A clarification is welcome – if you have any clue as to the details regarding this puzzle, I would much appreciate that information.

Puzzle: Royal Courts, London


Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.7 cm x 39.4 cm
Producer: Sure-Lox, Impressions
Notes: The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building in London which houses the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. Courts within the building are open to the public although there may be some restrictions depending upon the nature of the cases being heard. The building is a large grey stone edifice in the Victorian Gothic style and was designed by George Edmund Street, a solicitor turned architect. It was built in the 1870s. The Royal Courts of Justice were opened by Queen Victoria in December 1882.

Entering through the main gates in the Strand one passes under two elaborately carved porches fitted with iron gates. The carving over the outer porch consists of heads of the most eminent Judges and Lawyers. Over the highest point of the upper arch is a figure of Jesus; to the left and right at a lower level are figures of Solomon and Alfred the Great; that of Moses  is at the northern front of the building. Also at the northern front, over the Judges entrance are a stone cat and dog representing fighting litigants in court. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Niagara Falls, U.S.A.


Size: 750 pieces
Dimensions: 59.7 cm x 39.4 cm
Producer: Sure-Lox
Notes: The Niagara Falls are waterfalls in North America. These voluminous waterfalls are situated on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 27 km north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 121 km south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.

Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island: the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the American side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Vatican, Italy


Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 48.4 cm x 35.5 cm
Producer: Sure-Lox
Notes: Vatican City or Vatican City State is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of approximately 110 acres, and a population of just over 800.

Vatican City was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri, on behalf of the Holy See and by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini on behalf of the Kingdom of Italy. Vatican City State is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main episcopal see of 1.2 billion Latin and Eastern Catholic adherents around the globe. Ordinances of Vatican City are published in Italian; official documents of the Holy See are issued mainly in Latin. The two entities even have distinct passports: the Holy See, not being a country, issues only diplomatic and service passports; Vatican City State issues normal passports. Very few passports are issued by either authority.

The Lateran Treaty in 1929, which brought the city-state into existence, spoke of it as a new creation (Preamble and Article III), not as a vestige of the much larger Papal States (756-1870) that had previously encompassed much of central Italy. Most of this territory was absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860, and the final portion, namely the city of Rome with Lazio, ten years later, in 1870. [Wiki]

Puzzle: Trevi Fountain


Size: 500 pieces
Dimensions: 48.26 cm x 35.56 cm
Producer: Sure-Lox, Land Marks series
Box: photo
Notes: The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. Standing 25.9 meters high and 19.8 meters wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

The fountain at the junction of three roads (tre vie) marks the terminal point of the “modern” Acqua Vergine, the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient aqueducts  that supplied water to ancient Rome. In 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km from the city. (This scene is presented on the present fountain’s facade.) [Wiki]