John Patrick O’Brien
June 2, 1951 – October 24, 2004

John passed away peacefully in his home in Petaluma, California, with his beloved wife at his side, Sunday, October 24, 2004 at the age of 53. He was a devoted and loving father, world recognized artist and a supporter of all things Irish. He sustained a remarkable and enduring love of life, with an eye for beauty he could express in his varied artwork. After being diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Spring 2004, he continued to paint and teach art classes until the disease and treatment made it too difficult to continue. He fought it bravely, valiantly and died quietly at peace with the world.
John studied at the prestigious Art Student’s League in New York where he subsequently maintained a studio in Greenwich Village as well as in San Francisco and Paris. His academic achievement, combined with his eye for beauty and admiration for the American Impressionists, can be seen in every painting. The interiors and exteriors are wholly imaginary, enticing and inviting the viewer “to wish they were there.” He has been honored with many one-man shows throughout the United States. His works are in many private collections in the U.S. and Europe. He was commissioned to paint murals, portraits of people of all ages, and illustrations in addition to his highly successful series of romantic interiors and enticing European style exteriors.
John’s artwork conveys a series of mystery and romance seldom found in contemporary art. With exquisite craftsmanship, poetic ideals, and a modern awareness, he created a unique style, which has come to be known as “contemporary romantic realism”. His passion for France, Italy and Ireland can be seen in the romantic settings of elegant interiors, European street scenes, and neighborhood cafes and pubs.
He is survived by his wife, Martha, and two daughters, Michelle, age 12, and Claire, age 9, who often posed for his beautiful paintings. He will always be remembered for his warm smile and gentle ways by every life he touched.

The new 2009 Gibsons puzzles are now on our website. There are 30 new styles and a new category: 250 piece puzzles with pieces that, although standard puzzle shapes, are 60% larger than regular puzzle pieces. The 250 piece jigsaw puzzles are also priced to move and introduce consumers to the quality of Gibsons puzzles. Once again Gibsons have kept several themes going from whimsical animal motifs (can pigs smile and cats mail a letter?) to scenery of a quasi-imaginary past to the popular settings of human activities before the full onset of the industrial and post-industrial era. This particular theme raises an interesting point: do we work harder with the aid of technology or do we enjoy more leisure time? The recession for some reason has increased sales in puzzles. All the favorite puzzle artists are in the new styles: Kevin Walsh, O’Brien, Gale Pitt, etc. Have fun: puzzles in stock early next week.

In the next few weeks we will be receiving new 2009 Gibsons puzzle stock. Included will be a brand new range of 250 piece puzzles with pieces that are 60% larger than the standard size pieces. They are priced to move and introduce new customers to the quality and look of Gibsons puzzles at a very attractive price. Responding to demand, there are more animal pictures with lots of cats, pigs and horses. There is a new cat puzzle in the 636 piece size sure to be as popular as Jumble Sale also a 636 size puzzle with a whimsical animal theme. There is also a new 1000 piece O’Brien puzzle which will do as well as the hugely popular 1000 piece Summer’s Evening which came out last fall. Needless to say ther are new puzzles in the remaining 500 piece puzzle size. There are also a few new multi-puzzle boxes coming out. Be sure to check our website as the new pictures are posted.