Category: Contributing Artist

Posted on

The Centurion as a Jigsaw Puzzle

By Contributing Artist Hans Zimmer

A Centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion. Centurions were also found in the Roman navy. They were responsible for the men and equipment and gave orders to the rows of oarsmen, however, the ranks within the “centuria” were not always strictly adhered to and a considerable degree of informal promotion and demotion between the various grades occurred.

The roman Centurion (officer) had an wooden ark (crista) with natural or colored horse hair on top of his helmet (pointing from ear to ear). An Optio (a lower rank) had it pointing from forehead to neck.

The Centurian Artwork by Hans Zimmer
The Centurian Art Photograph by Hans Zimmer

The Helmet “Galea” on display is an Imperial Gallic “G” after a find from the river Rhine In the vicinity of a German town called “Mainz-Weisenau”. It’s now on display in a Museum in the town Worms. The type of helmet was in service from from the 1st Century BC to the 2nd century AD. This style of helmet was worn by Roman Legionaries during Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain.

The Dagger shown above was called “Pugio” and it´s most likely that daggers of this (or similar) type were used in the bloody assassination of Julius Caesar on the steps of the senate of Rome.

the centurian jigsaw puzzle by hans zimmer
The Centurian Jigsaw Puzzle by Hans Zimmer

A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of often oddly shaped interlocking and tessellating pieces. Jigsaw puzzles were originally created by John Spilsbury, a British cartographer, in 1767. The first jigsaw puzzle was a map of the world that was cut into small pieces so that it could be learned easily by children.

Jigsaw puzzles have come a long way since then and there are now many different types and sizes of jigsaw puzzles available. Jigsaw puzzles can range from very simple designs with just a few pieces to very complex designs with thousands of pieces.

The Centurion as a Jigsaw Puzzle is one of the more challenging “traditional” puzzles made today. There are either 500 or 1000 pieces in the puzzle, depending on the size you choose, and each piece is different.

Link to: The Centurion Jigsaw Puzzle

Link to: Hans Zimmer’s Gallery at Fine Art America.

hans zimmer contributing artist

Click to learn more about the artist: Hans Zimmer.

Posted on

Beautiful Heart-Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles

By Contributing Artist Dorothy Berry-Lound

Resurgence Jigsaw Puzzle
Resurgence Jigsaw Puzzle

Show how much you care by gifting a unique heart-shaped jigsaw puzzle. The perfect gift idea for any occasion including Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Candlelight Dancing Jigsaw Puzzle
Candlelight Dancing Jigsaw Puzzle

These cute puzzles are small (7.5 inches) but have 75 pieces which will take some time to put together given the complexity of the abstract design. Each puzzle is a statement of affection, a piece of art and a game. Plus, when it is finished the receiver can frame the puzzle for the wall.

Hand printed to order, taking 1-3 days on average, each puzzle is made from sturdy cardboard and comes in a pretty storage pouch of your choice. You can select a pouch with a ‘gorgeous’ theme, ‘Valentine’s Day’ or ‘Mother’s Day’.

Summer Paradise Jigsaw Puzzle
Summer Paradise Jigsaw Puzzle

Shipping Details

Based in the UK, the store delivers worldwide. There are a variety of options for delivery in the UK using Royal Mail standard, recorded or special delivery. For international orders items are shipped via DHL or Fedex (taking on average 2-5 days).

Where To Purchase Heart-Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles

There is a choice of six heart-shaped jigsaw puzzles featuring the gorgeous abstract designs of artist Dorothy Berry-Lound.

Buy them here: https://www.contrado.co.uk/stores/dorothy-berry-lound-art/products/169

Dorothy Berry-Lound Artist

Click to learn more about the artist: Dorothy Berry-Lound.

Posted on

Jigsaw Puzzle of Cheat Lake in the Fall

by Contributing Artist artist Steve Heap

Jigsaw puzzles are rightly treasured for their entertainment value but along side that, there is the real satisfaction of seeing a work of art develop in front of your eyes as the pieces are put in place. I often look at some of my images and think – that would make a really complex jigsaw puzzle! I guess what I am thinking about is that the image is attractive in its own right, but has a complexity of shades and colors that make it quite difficult to look at one piece and decide just where in the image it should fit.

You could say – what is not to love about this image?

heart shape jigsaw puzzle
Heart Shape Jigsaw Puzzle

Now I’m not sure just where you can find a jigsaw made in the shape of a heart, but I think it does illustrate what we love about the tradition!

The underlying image was one I took this past month after seeing the leaves in West Virginia develop into much brighter and more colorful shades that we normally expect. I had this image in mind when I drove, just before sunset, to a local lake close to my home. But what I needed, apart from the sun peeking through the clouds that were moving slowly across the sky, was some calm water in the lake in front of me. It is protected a little by the trail to the left, but there were still gusts of wind spoiling the reflection. So, I sat, and I sat, with the camera on a tripod in front of me, watching the sky and the clouds around the sun, feeling the wind gusts diminish as the evening advanced until eventually the calm water had spread sufficiently far to the right to get the image I wanted. Was it worth it? You bet!

Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle
Perfect reflection of fall leaves in Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle

I’ve got a feeling that this would be challenging as a jigsaw, but I am no expert. Blue sky and clouds not only at the top but the bottom of the picture. Complex orange, green, red leaves that cover the center. Some blurred, some not very crisp. A challenge indeed!

If you are up to a challenge, the puzzle is available as both 500 and 1000 pieces:

Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle Box
Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle Box

I’m sorely tempted to buy one for our daughter in law for Christmas – she loves jigsaws and this might be a nice reminder of home! And if you would like to read more about the fall colors around Morgantown in West Virginia this year, I wrote a short article about it, which can be found here: Fall Colors around Morgantown in 2022 – Backyard Image.

steve heap photographer


Click to learn more about the artist: Steve Heap.

Posted on

Italian Architecture On A Jigsaw Puzzle

by Contributing Artist Dorothy Berry-Lound

Living in Central Italy, as a photographer I am constantly seduced by the wonderful towns and villages around me. My own village, Paciano, is a medieval walled village and so is the next larger town, Panicale, which is a bit higher up the mountain from me. A mere twenty minutes away is Citta Dell Pieve, another large walled town.

All of these towns are tourist magnets in season and one of the reasons is they are just so picturesque. What do these places all have in common? Well they have some inspirational Italian architecture including traditional doorways and arches!

Italian Ornate Doorways

I find myself besotted with Italian wooden doors for example. These old wooden doors sit in ornate doorways, often with marble and/or carved architrave. Often marble steps lead up to the entrance. The door furniture is always pleasing too. One of the things I particularly like is the traditional semi-circular window above the door. These are made of metalwork and some are glazed, some not. But they all serve a useful function of providing light into the room or hallway behind the front door. In many of these old Italian towns, people live in an apartment within an old building so that hallway may lead to an internal staircase or courtyard.

Italian Ornate Wooden Doors Jigsaw Puzzle by Dorothy Berry-Lound
Italian Ornate Wooden Doors Jigsaw Puzzle by Dorothy Berry-Lound

The other thing I like about the doorways is that often they are the only way people can express their green finger (or thumb depending on where you live!). These town houses often don’t have space for a garden so you will often find all manner of plants growing in pots outside the front door. Or even hanging on the wall outside.

I have many photos of these glorious wooden doors from all over Umbria and Tuscany and I put them together into a couple of collages. This one is entitled ‘Italian Ornate Wooden Doors Collage’ and it is available as a jigsaw puzzle from my RedBubble store (see link below).

Italian Arches And Archways

Another great traditional Italian architecture feature in these towns is the use of arches or archways. These are mainly practical in nature, perhaps to allow entry through a town wall or providing access to another road. In some cases, the arch over a road links two sides and there is a small room on top of it!  But I love these archways as though immensely practical, they often reveal a surprise view when you peak down them. I am also a sucker for the light and shade effects that come from the deep shade of the cool area under an archway and the bright sunlight in the area beyond.

Italian Archways Collage Jigsaw Puzzle by Dorothy Berry-Lound
Italian Archways Collage Jigsaw Puzzle by Dorothy Berry-Lound

The archways are traditional build too, some have wooden beams that support the curve of the arch. Some are built of red brick, which is a popular building tool in the area, particularly around Citta Della Pieve.

I have a large number of arches and archways to select from for this particular collage entitled Italian Archways Collage. I went for a representative selection that represents my description above. This is also available as a jigsaw puzzle from my RedBubble store (see link below).

Italian Culture And Challenge In One

I think both of these jigsaw puzzles are interesting, reflecting Italian culture, pleasing to the eye but also a real challenge for the jigsaw puzzler! Choose from five sizes: 30 pieces, 110 pieces, 252 pieces, 500 pieces, or 1000 pieces. They come presented in a tin with the image of the puzzle printed on the lid.

Jigsaw Puzzles come in a Presentation Tin

Links:

Italian Ornate Wooden Doors Collage – https://www.redbubble.com/i/jigsaw-puzzle/Italian-Ornate-Wooden-Doors-Collage-by-ShannathShima/52999084.L4Q0T

Italian Archways Collage Jigsaw Puzzle – https://www.redbubble.com/i/jigsaw-puzzle/Italian-Archways-Collage-by-ShannathShima/53080702.L4Q0T

Find out more about Dorothy’s jigsaw puzzles and where you can purchase them: https://dorothyberryloundart.com/jigsaw-puzzles/

Dorothy Berry-Lound Artist

Click to learn more about the artist: Dorothy Berry-Lound.