Deep Dive: Calgary Artist Mountain Vistas Mini Puzzle Bundle

Posted by Jasen Robillard on June 22, 2023

This Is It
Artist: Cecile Albi
Puzzle Design: Jasen Robillard

Dimensions: 12 cm x 12 cm
Piece Count: 62 pcs
Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Those of you familiar with Canmore and the views along the Cougar Creek walking trails may recognize the truly magical spot where Cecile captured "It". Like the iconic and ever-present silhouette of The Three Sisters, "This Is It" serves as a visual testament to the captivating power of nature. Let "This Is It" transport you to a place of breathtaking beauty and tranquility where majestic mountains, serene lakes, and lush forests coexist in perfect harmony.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Cecile’s passion for art remained a constant throughout her life. Following her studies, she relocated to Calgary, to pursue a successful career in graphic design and subsequently a full-time focus on fine art in 2014. With a mission to convey beauty in a multi-sensory fashion, her acrylic and oil paintings offer a visual, emotional, and tactile journey for her patrons through Cecile's lens of "refractionism".

Larch Valley
Artist: Alison Philpotts
Puzzle Design: Siri Olson

Dimensions: 12 cm x 12 cm
Piece Count: 57 pcs
Difficulty: 2 out of 5

When you combine the views up Sentinel Pass (just past Moraine Lake near Banff) with the seasonal yellow hues of larches in September, you get magic! Alison has captured that awe-inspiring beauty, so that you can appreciate the magical views all year long.

Alison Philpotts was born in Montreal and now resides in Calgary with her husband and two sons. As a self-taught acrylic painter, she was inspired by the masters and her father. She supplemented her experimental learning through art classes at the University of Calgary. Alison's goal is to engage the viewer in the beauty of our natural surroundings through her layered illusions and her vibrant colour palettes.

Emerald Lake
Artist: Ruolin Shi
Puzzle Design: Jasen Robillard

Dimensions: 12 cm x 12 cm
Piece Count: 63 pcs
Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Emerald Lake's shimmering water reflections bedazzle like no other. But so do the forests, mountain faces and sunset-blushed clouds under Ruolin's geometic & kaleidoscopic vision. Treat yourself to a luxurious, secluded stay at the Emerald Lake Lodge, or whisk yourself away on an imagined trip - you'll no doubt be coming back for another refreshing gaze upon the jade waters.

Ruolin began her painting journey in 2020 during maternity leave. She found solace and happiness in painting the stunning Canadian Rockies while being isolated from loved ones during COVID lockdowns. Ruolin's art features contemporary lines and vibrant colours that offer a fresh perspective on the iconic landscapes surrounding Calgary.

Links

Cecile Albi's Artist Website

Ruolin Shi's Artist Website

Alison Philpotts Artist Website

Shop: Calgary Artist Mountain Vistas Mini Puzzle Bundle

Jasen’s Puzzle Design Notes

Siri and I continue pushing our creative puzzle design exploration with more puzzle-within-a-puzzle whimwhams (definition: multi-piece whimsical thematic shape within a puzzle). This time we pursued another "meta" theme by incorporating a whimsical alternative solution which depicts a vignette of the landscape that inspired the background art.

While the hidden whimwhams in our last mini puzzle bundle require the assembly of pieces across all three Reilly Fitzgerald mini puzzles, in this case, each puzzle comes with its own standalone alternative solution. The puzzles as a whole, as well as the inner alternative solutions, are a real joy to put together.

If you're looking for a small token to commemorate your trip to Calgary (Stampede festivities, a road trip through Alberta, or a camping & hiking vacation in the Canadian Rockies), these little puzzles are a surefire way of bringing those joyful memories back in a heartbeat!