Creating more ethnic images for jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts to enjoy, talented artist/pencil colorist Brenda Hillman has transformed four of her extraordinary original artwork images into puzzles. Hillman will introduce her Limited Edition Brenda Hillman Art Jigsaw Puzzle brand Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the 37th Annual Conference of the National Alliance of Black School Educators to be held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The unique collection of jigsaw puzzles will be on exhibit at the conference through Nov. 21st, during which nearly 4,000 educators, school board members, administrative and educational support staff, and others will be introduced to Hillman’s exceptional works of art.
Now available online at www.brendahillmanart.com, Hillman is introducing four beautifully-illustrated puzzles in time for Christmas and Kwanzaa holiday gift-giving and Black History Month observations. Each of the puzzle titles consists of 513 pieces that result in a 15″ X 22″ image when completed – $22.99 each. Featured is “Village Life,” one of the four initial puzzle titles to be released.
The Douglasville (Atlanta), Georgia resident has wanted for a number of years to release a puzzle line of her images. “I wanted to use my own artwork to address a void and fill the need for more diversity and availability of African American jigsaw puzzles,” said Hillman. “Educators have historically been on the front line of heightening the awareness of accomplishments among African Americans.” The artist continued, “They also recognize the need to expand and expose children and youth to ethnically-sensitive learning activities—such as jigsaw puzzles—that foster inclusion among a diverse student population.”
Puzzle assembling has long been an affordable family recreational activity. It is also a proven source of enjoyment for senior citizens, and is often recommended by medical professionals in providing therapeutic and rehabilitative benefits to their patients. Hillman envisioned her jigsaw puzzle art form would be utilized in recreational, educational and therapeutic settings – suitable for retailing in bookstores, art galleries, ethnic product stores, and perhaps soon in mainstream retail outlets.
Hillman’s works have been categorized as primitive folk and ethnic fine art, generally focused on the African American female, but also includes the African American male and broad age ranges. Her works include colored pencil renderings, acrylic and mixed media, and are available for purchase as Originals, Limited Editions, Giclees, and now as unique jigsaw puzzles. Once assembled, the puzzles can be matted and framed as wall art, which is transformed into finished works that offer years of family viewing and enjoyment, as well as enhancement to office decor.
After researching the industry, Hillman found only a very few African American puzzles were available in mass retail outlets. The absence of these images in stores opens the door to artists like Brenda Hillman to introduce her artwork to the broader spectrum of puzzle enthusiasts who also appreciate ethnic art.
