Gnarly Orb Puzzle

The Gnarly Orb puzzle is a new kind of artwork for me and I am very intrigued by this style. Fine Art Fractals, what is it  and how does it work? Read on for more interesting details.

You may like to try this art fractal image by Bgraamiens puzzles Amazon link

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

Gnarly Orb Puzzle Review

Overall Experience:  Great

Cut Quality:    Perfect

Board Quality: Thick 

Shape Cut: Ribbon-grid

Image Quality: Great

Hardest Area: Top portion

Puzzle Dust? No

Finish Quality: Smooth shiney

Box Quality: Great

Sealed Pieces Inside Box: yes

Was this purchased new? no

Price: Complimentary

Recommend Level: highly

Time: 4.5 hours

Gnarly Orb Puzzle Assembly: 

Art Fractals is a new line of artistic images for me. Artist Adam Hoffman joined the Jigsaw Puzzle Connections Facebook Group to share his new line of puzzles. The following is copied from his website to explain his artistic process correctly.

"What are fractals?

Fractals are found throughout nature; some examples include trees, river systems, and coastlines. A river system follows a natural fractal pattern if you follow it upstream. The main river splits into smaller rivers, and those split into even smaller rivers, and those split again even smaller and so on. Fractals are self-similar infinitely repeating patterns created using simple recursive math equations. Geometric fractals can be used to model natural fractals so it's possible to get some very organic looking results using only the fractal math."

The entire package is top of the line quality. The box is totally solid with 2 seals. The large size pieces are perfect size for easy handling with a great thickness and sealed inside a bag. Inside the box, you will see a very nice size poster which is bigger than the box itself. There is also a very nice sticker and an extra clean sealable clear bag to store the puzzle pieces for future use.

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

I did not do my usual sorting routine with this one as being 500 pieces and such a mixture of colors it was easier to layout all the pieces onto the foam board while pulling out the edge pieces.  Being a grid-like cut, I sorted the boarder pieces according to shape to assist with that assembly. It went together quite nicely.

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

Then I had to decide what my strategy would be....as in where to start. So looking at the image I can see the center pieces look like the 'Gnarly Orb' or a stretch to the imagination one might refer to the resemblance of the earth. Then I could see the top half of the image has several swirly-wavey-like patterns in up-down direction and the bottom half was more defined by lines in the left-right direction. With the pieces laid out on the foam boards it was easier to pick out the difference in the pieces because, let's face it - going by colors alone was not an option on this image. So a bit of a different strategy and quite fun to assemble this one from top to bottom.

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

Gnarly Orb Puzzle Comments...

The following 4 images share some closeup images of the distinct patterns I referred to above. Also you can really see the brilliant colors and terrific quality of the pieces and cut!

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"

Of course I can easily highly recommend this as a perfect puzzle experience from start to finish. I thought it might be challenging but I was delighted to see how it played out. I never expected that I would complete it from top to bottom and once the first 2 sections were completed, the bottom 1/3 section was like an addiction to a  super fun ending! Thanks very much Adam Hoffman for sharing your wonderful art images in a jigsaw puzzle format for us to enjoy and for me to have this opportunity to review.

The Fine Art Fractals images in jigsaw puzzle format...

Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"
Brand: Fine Art Fractals

Title: Gnarly Orb puzzle

Artist: Adam Hoffman

Pieces: 500

Size: 20" x 28"


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About Jigsaw Puzzles: Unveiling the Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

A Therapeutic Journey

Jigsaw puzzles have long captivated individuals of all ages, offering not only a fun pastime but also a myriad of benefits for mental well-being. From enhancing cognitive skills to promoting relaxation, the act of piecing together puzzles goes beyond entertainment. In this article, we explore the remarkable benefits of engaging in jigsaw puzzles, shedding light on the positive effects they have on our minds and bodies.

  1. Cognitive Stimulation: Jigsaw puzzles serve as a workout for the brain, stimulating cognitive functions such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning. As we examine puzzle pieces, analyze patterns, and make connections, our brains become engaged in a captivating mental exercise.
  2. Improved Memory: Engaging in jigsaw puzzles helps enhance short-term memory and reinforce long-term memory. Remembering shapes, colors, and patterns, and recalling their positions throughout the puzzle aids in memory retention and retrieval.
  3. Focus and Concentration: Solving jigsaw puzzles requires sustained focus and concentration. By immersing ourselves in the task at hand, we train our minds to block out distractions, strengthen our attention span, and improve our ability to stay focused on a specific goal.
  4. Stress Relief: Puzzling acts as a therapeutic escape from the stresses of everyday life. As we immerse ourselves in the puzzle-solving process, our minds become engrossed, creating a sense of mindfulness and providing a temporary respite from worries and anxieties.
  5. Boost in Dopamine Levels: Completing a puzzle triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge in dopamine creates a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, reinforcing the positive feelings associated with puzzle solving.
  6. Enhanced Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating puzzle pieces and fitting them together requires precise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Regularly engaging in puzzles can help improve dexterity, agility, and the coordination between our hands and eyes.
  7. Social Interaction: Puzzling can be a social activity that fosters connection and collaboration. Solving puzzles with family or friends encourages communication, teamwork, and shared accomplishment, enhancing social bonds and creating lasting memories.
  8. Patience and Perseverance: Completing a complex puzzle requires patience and perseverance. As we encounter challenges and setbacks, we learn to persist, develop problem-solving strategies, and build resilience—a valuable skillset that extends beyond puzzle-solving.
  9. Mental Relaxation and Mindfulness: The meditative nature of jigsaw puzzles can induce a state of relaxation, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress levels. The repetitive and calming motions of sorting and connecting pieces can have a soothing effect on the mind, allowing for a tranquil escape from daily pressures.
  10. Sense of Achievement: The satisfaction of placing that final puzzle piece and witnessing the complete image provides a profound sense of achievement. This sense of accomplishment boosts self-esteem, instills a sense of pride, and fosters a positive mindset.

By embracing the benefits of jigsaw puzzles, we unlock not only an enjoyable hobby but also a path to mental well-being. Whether you're seeking cognitive stimulation, stress relief, or a moment of mindfulness, engaging in puzzles can enrich your life and provide a therapeutic journey that transcends the puzzle board. So gather your puzzles, sharpen your focus, and embark on this fulfilling adventure of piecing together fragments to create something beautiful and whole.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)