Artist Greg GiORdano and STUDIO

This article is a gathering of our information and reviews that are by Artist Greg Giordano and Giordano Company that Cobble Hill puzzles has licensed. First we have a Youtube video that shares an interview with Greg and nine reviews of the jigsaw puzzles we have assembled.

Following that below we have the 'Q&A transcript' for the interview.

Greg Giordano Q & A Interview

When it comes to jigsaw puzzles, many puzzlers do not pay much attention to the artist, yours truly included. However, the more puzzles you do, you may tend to start favouring Artists like I did. The following is an in depth look at how this Artist's life gravitated towards a successful career designing jigsaw puzzle images among other forms of art. Special thanks to Greg Giordano for sharing his side of jigsaw puzzles through an email interview. Let's begin.

Q. For our Readers, which state do you live in?

I live in Connecticut.

Q. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in New York City. I would often go to the Central Park Zoo with my father and brother, who were/are both artists and in the Art Licensing industry. There, we would sketch and observe animals, and enjoy time with one another.

Q. How did you become interested in art licensing to jigsaw puzzles in the first place?

My father, Joe Giordano, was an artist, and began working in the Art Licensing industry in the 1980s. As a result, I was surrounded by art at a young age, and was also able to experience the industry firsthand. When I began in the Art Licensing industry almost 25 years ago, I developed relationships with various manufacturers and Licensees, and the jigsaw puzzle category became a natural evolution for my artwork.

Q. What kind of education do you have that gives you the abilities to be so creative in your artwork?

I attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and throughout my career as an artist, various art workshops throughout the country.

Q. What did you do for a living before you decided to get into art licensing?

I’ve always been an artist, but before I was involved in Art Licensing, I was a wildlife painter. I painted and sold my original paintings throughout the United States and Canada.

Q. Do you travel a lot and which images were created as a result of your travels?

I enjoy traveling, especially to the American West. Many of my wildlife images were created using photographs I took on these trips. More recently, my family and I have been traveling to Coastal Maine. These trips to Maine inspired a recent puzzle image I created, “Lobster Shack” (image above). I find that I’m also able to gather a lot of inspiration from the sights I see locally in the Northeast.

Q. Who were/are your biggest influences and inspirations in the art licensing world?

I have to say that my father has been my biggest influence. I also find the works of contemporary western and wildlife artists to be very inspiring.

Q. Are you from an artistic family background?

My father, Joe Giordano, started in the Art Licensing industry in the early 1980s. My brother Robert Giordano of Giordano Studios has been involved in Art Licensing for over 30 years.

Q. How does photography enter into your work?

When I started in Art Licensing over 25 years ago, I was hand-painting all of my art and creating designs from those paintings. As technology advanced, I found myself creating images digitally. Initially, there was a combination of hand painting and photography, but now, almost all of the images I create are done digitally, and exclusively use photographic materials and references.

Q. Where do you get all the photos you use in your designs?

Most of the photographs that I use in my designs I’ve taken myself, but when necessary, I will purchase photos from various stock agencies.

Q. What products other than jigsaw puzzles, have you licensed your artwork to?

I currently work with almost 80 licensees globally, and while puzzles are probably one of my most popular categories, my designs have also been licensed for various home accents, including blankets, wall décor, garden flags, tin signs, and pillows. Additionally, my art has been licensed for many everyday products, such as calendars, bookmarks, t-shirts, mugs, greeting cards and other stationery products.

Q. Have you always identified yourself as an artist?

While I was also very involved in sports when I was younger, art has always been a huge part of my life, so yes, I feel that I’ve always identified as an artist.

Q. What is the average length of time it takes for you to create one image?

Generally, a puzzle image takes around 2 to 3 weeks to complete. More simple artwork with less components, like the designs I create for greeting cards or flags, take less time.

Q. Do you know how many puzzle images you have licensed over the years?

I currently work with 26 puzzle licensees, and my puzzles are sold in over 30 countries worldwide, as well as digitally. I’ve created puzzle designs for co-branded licensing programs with John Deere and Farmall tractors, as well as Chevrolet, Dodge, Volkswagen and Ford automotive brands. In my archive of over 600 designs, 200 of them have been licensed as puzzle images.

Q. Out of all your licensed images, do you know which image has sold the most puzzles?

My most successful puzzle image, and actually my most successful image overall, has been “Christmas on the Farm'' . I created this image in 2015, right before the “red truck” trend really exploded, and my timing was just right. This image is currently featured on over 20 different products, including cross-stitch patterns, flags, greeting cards, wall decor, and, of course, puzzles.

Q. This is a big ask....do you have ONE favorite?

I currently own a vintage 1966 Chevy pick-up truck, so I have a soft spot for creating puzzle images featuring antique and vintage cars, but I also enjoy trying new subject matters. I’ve recently been exploring creating images focusing on lake and cabin themes, which has been fun to do.

Q. Do you have a specific art studio or do you work from your home?

I have an art studio in my home in Connecticut, and have been fortunate enough to have a lot of great animal visitors in my backyard. In my studio, I surround myself with a lot of reference material, and also collect items representing the artwork I create.

Q. If a person was interested in doing the same work you do, what is the best advice you can give them?

While there is so much I could pass on to others looking to get into the industry, I feel that the most helpful piece of advice I can share is to be very honest with oneself and ask the tough questions, like “will my designs work for products?” and “will my art help a manufacturer sell that product?” Additionally, it’s important for artists to have a unique look, and evaluate whether or not their subject matters or styles have already been represented in the market.

Q. Can you share something personal about yourself to us that is not on your website? Or besides painting, do you have another hobby?

We like to do jigsaw puzzles on our family vacations. I also love to attend flea markets, antique shows and car shows (always with a camera in hand), and enjoy being outside in nature.

Jigsaw Puzzle Reviews - Girodano Images

Brand: Vermont Jigsaw Puzzles, Title: The Inn At Christmas Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 550 large size, Size: 24" x 18'.

Brand: Cobble Hills Puzzle Company, Title: Cozy Fireplace Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 1000, Size: 19.25" x 26.625″

Brand: Cobble Hill Puzzle Company, Title: Christmas on the Farm Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Size: 26.6x19.25, Pieces: 1000 pieces

Brand: Cobble Hill Puzzle Company Title: Spring Gossip Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 1000, Size: 26.626" x 19.25"

Brand: Cobble Hills Puzzle Company, Title: Flower Truck Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 1000, Size: 19.25" x 26.625″

Brand: Cobble Hills Puzzle Company, Title: Happy Henhouse Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 1000, Size: 19.25" x 26.625″

Brand: Cobble Hills Puzzle Company, Title: Lakeshore Puzzle, Artist: Greg Giordano, Pieces: 1000, Size: 19.25" x 26.625

Brand: Cobble Hill Puzzle Company, Title: Puppy Love jigsaw puzzle, Artist: Giordano Studios, Pieces: 350 Family size (large to small), Size: 19.25x 26.625

Brand: Cobble Hills Puzzle Company, Title: Sewing Room Puzzle, Image by: Giordano Studios, Pieces: 1000, Size: 19.25x26.625"