Tag: puzzles

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Ships on Jigsaw Puzzles

By Contributing Artist Mary Bedy

I live in Michigan in an area where most freighters and tankers and a few cruise ships sailing on the Great Lakes regularly pass by. After living here for a few years, I photographed a couple of freighters when I was down at the boardwalk in town, and slowly got hooked on collecting as many of these majestic ships as possible. I downloaded a tracker on my phone and now one of the first things I do in the morning is check that tracker to see what might be coming through here on that particular day.

Federal EMS Ship on a Puzzle
Federal EMS Ship on a Jigsaw Puzzle

Since I live on the very eastern edge of Michigan, and in fact I can see Canada from the boardwalk across the Saint Clair River, I check to see what might be in range between about 1:00 pm and dusk, since the ships in the morning are backlit from the east, so the lighting is not good for photography.

If you are interested in these majestic vessels, there are a couple of websites that provide lots of interesting information, like Boat Nerd and Marine Traffic (type as one word to find their websites), that will show you where these vessels are at any one time and contain descriptions of the ships, etc.

I waited for the Arthur M. Anderson to come through town for years. She would come through either in the dark or the very early morning when the lighting here is dismal, but I finally caught her a couple of times recently in decent lighting. For those of you who are not familiar, the Arthur M. Anderson was the ship following the Edmond Fitzgerald the night the “Fitz”, as we call her, went down off of Whitefish Point on Lake Superior during a powerful storm on November 10, 1975. All 29 crew members were lost. You have no doubt heard the Gordon Lightfoot song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. The bell from the ship can be seen in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at the lighthouse at Whitefish Point in Michigan’s upper peninsula.

Browse and shop at the following links to my online gallery.

These ship images look great and are quite challenging as jigsaw puzzles. However, they make wonderful wall art pieces and are also available on a variety of home decor items.

Arthur M Anderson Closeup 042121
Arthur M Anderson Closeup 042121

Arthur M Anderson Closeup 042121: https://mary-bedy.pixels.com/featured/arthur-m-anderson-closeup-042121-mary-bedy.html

Paul R. Tregurtha Closeup 120720
Paul R. Tregurtha Closeup 120720

Paul R. Tregurtha Closeup 120720: https://mary-bedy.pixels.com/featured/paul-r-tregurtha-closeup-120720-mary-bedy.html

Walter J. McCarthy Jr. 082922
Walter J. McCarthy Jr. 082922

Walter J. McCarthy Jr. 082922: https://mary-bedy.pixels.com/featured/walter-j-mccarthy-jr-082922-mary-bedy.html

Federal Ems and Blue Water Bridge 072922
Federal EMS and Blue Water Bridge 072922

Federal Ems and Blue Water Bridge 072922: https://mary-bedy.pixels.com/featured/federal-ems-and-blue-water-bridge-072922-mary-bedy.html

mary-bedy-profile-image-200x200

Click to learn more about the artist: Mary Bedy.

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The Joy of Jigsaw Puzzles…

…a centuries old pastime that has been enjoyed by people of all ages.

Jigsaw Puzzle Sample Pieces

Jigsaw puzzles are a centuries old pastime that has been enjoyed by people of all ages. Today, there are many different types and sizes of jigsaw puzzles available, making them more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing activity to do on your own or a fun way to spend time with family and friends, jigsaw puzzles are a great option.

The allure of jigsaw puzzles

There is something special about the challenge of piecing together a puzzle, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing one. For some people, jigsaw puzzles are simply a fun way to pass the time. For others, they are a serious hobby, and there are even competitive tournaments held each year. Whether you enjoy solving puzzles on your own or with friends and family, there is no doubt that jigsaw puzzles can be quite addicting!

The history of the jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw Puzzles date back to the 1700’s, when woodworkers would make intricate and detailed wooden puzzles to sell as decorative items. In 1767, a London craftsman named John Spilsbury produced the first printed jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle was made of steel and featured a map of England. The jigsaw puzzle was very popular in England for many years, and soon the idea spread throughout Europe. The first jigsaw puzzles made in America were produced in 1848 by Samson Fox, a New York wood engraver.

How to get started with a jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are easy to use. The trick is to find a puzzle that has enough pieces to be challenging, but not so many that it becomes frustrating. If you have never done a jigsaw puzzle before, start with one that has about 500 pieces or fewer. As you complete one puzzle, get a larger and more challenging one. The best jigsaw puzzles are the ones that are used to create a picture of a scene or an object. These are fun because they often have a story behind them.

Many puzzles are based on photographs, paintings or artwork. The most challenging puzzles have no picture and instead just have a series of shapes, letters or numbers to create a pattern. Choose the one that suits your skill level and that you find interesting.

The benefits of working a jigsaw puzzle

Working a jigsaw puzzle is an excellent way to stretch your mind, and improve your mental stamina. It also helps you physically because it improves your fine motor skills, which are the smaller movements of your hands and fingers. The best jigsaw puzzles are the ones that contain more than one image. These types of puzzles can sometimes be used as educational tools for young children.

There are many ways to solve a jigsaw puzzle

Matchbox Label Collage 200 by Dorothy Berry-Lound
Starting at a corner…

There are many approaches to solving a jigsaw. Some people like to start by finding the four corners, some like to find all the pieces with a flat edge, meaning they are the edge pieces, and build the perimeter and work inwards. Other solvers find similar colors of a certain feature – and sort of start from the center out. Take your time. Don’t rush the puzzle, and only work on it in short spurts. If you try to solve a jigsaw puzzle too quickly, you may make mistakes. Give yourself plenty of time to get all of the pieces in place. Be patient.

Here’s a little more about Solving a Jigsaw Puzzle.

The different types of jigsaw puzzles

There are many different types of jigsaw puzzles, ranging from the very easy, to the very difficult. The most common type is the 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle which is usually made for beginners who are just starting out with jigsaw puzzles. 1000-piece puzzles are usually made of heavy, coated cardboard and contain nice, detailed pictures. They can take anywhere from an hour to many, many hours to complete. If you want something a little more challenging, there are 1500-2000-piece jigsaw puzzles that can prove to be a real challenge.

Conclusion: the satisfaction of completing a jigsaw puzzle

The satisfaction of completing a jigsaw puzzle is just as rewarding as solving one of the most difficult logic and reasoning puzzles. The puzzle itself can be a great conversation piece in any room, and it can spark an interest in jigsaw puzzles, which once you get started with them, you may never want to stop. If you’re looking for a new hobby, or something to do with the family, try a jigsaw puzzle. It just may be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

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About Dorothy Berry-Lound

Italy-based artist, writer and storyteller…

We here at JigsawPuzzleArt.com asked Dorothy to tell us a bit about herself and her work. She said:

Artist Dorothy Berry-Lound

“I am an artist, blogger and writer; a story teller really! I am lucky to live half way up a mountain in Umbria, Italy where I create all my designs. I work looking out over fabulous views of the Italian countryside. Although I paint in acrylics, I specialize in photo art, using my own photographs to develop the stories that I imagine lay beneath the images. I also produce digital designs.

“My art subjects reflect my English background (I was born on the South Coast of England) and my life in Italy. I think I am more Italian than English these days. My subjects include the character of towns, villages and old buildings, my love of the countryside and animals, sweeping landscapes and colourful florals. There is a spiritual aspect to some of my work, with purposeful application of color and imagery in order to create a particular mood.

“Find out more about me, my art and my writing, at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.”

———-
Thank you, Dorothy. Your art is beautiful.

You can learn more about Dorothy and the art she creates at the following links.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerryLound/

Mastodon: https://mastodon.art/@DorothyBerryLound

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About Bill Swartwout Photography

Coastal Delaware Wanderlust Photographer

Bill’s work is oft inspired by a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson: “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

Artist Photographer Bill Swartwout
Portrait of Bill Swartwout by Lisa Kaiser, imagist/artist.

Bill says, “My photographs reflect such wanderlust. I record images of places to which I wander and of myriad distractions along the way. I love to share my joy of living at the beach and our travels afar, bringing you photographic art that reflects what I see.“

Bill has had his photographs published for more than half a century, having started as a junior reporter for a small-town newspaper while he was still in high school. He worked his way through college as a clerk in a camera store and doing freelance wedding and aerial photography. The aerial photography encouraged him to obtain a pilot’s license nearly 50 years ago. He no longer shoots “for hire” but enjoys offering his work for sale as wall decor – prints, canvas, framed prints and on home decor items. The company who produces his finished work now offers his images on cloth face masks.

Bill Swartwout Photography

Link to Bill’s fine art gallery: Photography Gallery

Link to Bill’s photographs on jigsaw puzzles: Puzzles