Jigsaws: PP x Birlinn

11 minutes ago

2 min read

I've been asked so many times to make jigsaws; it's begun to get frustrating. Not because I don't love hearing from people and what they'd like to see next, but because I've looked into it and, for it to work for a small UK business, the prices would elicit cries of "how much?!?" or just a simple "lol, noooope". So the idea has remained firmly in the "I'd love to, mate, but can't" category.

Fortunately, Scottish publisher Birlinn got in touch about licensing a couple of my illustrations to turn into jigsaws. So now we have jigsaws! Granted, this will mainly appeal to the niche that both messaged me about jigsaws and are Scottish, or Scot-curious. But aren't we all a wee bit?

The two designs are "Mythical Beasts of Scotland" and "Castles of Scotland", massively successful prints for PP, and both now available smashed into little pieces as 500-piece puzzles.

I also designed the packaging, so I've had my hairy paws all over the entire thing, from the illustrations to the finished boxes. I am rather pleased with how they've turned out.

It's nice to see the artwork taking on a different life. I'm not too cool to admit it gives me a little buzz seeing my stuff out in the world, and hopefully it reaches a few new people who may want to join us on the little arty folkloric journey we've found ourselves on.

I'd like to explore collaborating and licensing further, so we shall see if more good partnerships appear in the future.

Anyway, there you go. Jigsaws. It's like an art print, but in lots of bits to put back together, because it is soothing? Makes me anxious.