The word “hobby” comes from hobby horse. Made from wood, a hobby-horse may look like and be climbed on like a real horse but it’s really only a toy, i.e. it’s being used for fun. To ride one’s hobby-horse is to play at horse riding and is not the real thing. Nowadays it means to induge a pastime and has latterly meant to partake of recreation.

Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. For example, people collect stamps, paint pictures, build plastic models and do jigsaw puzzles. Although a high degree of skill may be realised there is little reward beyond the satisfaction of achieving a level of competency and often appreciation by one’s peers.

One often finds a professional golfer enjoying fishing as a hobby and some F1 race car drivers can find relaxation in computer games. It is the amateur status of the hobbyist that differentiates his pursuit from that of the professional. Stamp collecting and jigsaw puzzles offer no remuneration beyond a sense of accomplishment. Nevertheless it is an important characteristic that we seek hobbies such as cooking and going to movies to relieve the daily stress of our working lives. Sadly TV doesn’t count as a hobby.

The new Gibsons puzzles for spring 2009 arrived in our warehouse 10 days ago. They have been flying out the door. We’ve been working hard to make sure all orders are shipped 100%. Lots of people have been delighted with their new shipments. Some customers, though, have been a little reluctant to keep up their Gibsons puzzle inventory. Until we get all our first tier of orders taken care of second orders have to wait. At this time of the year (unlike fall) it doesn’t pay to go heavily into an excess inventory position. Wait and see the new 2009 Christmas puzzle due in September. We have already booked four times the number of Christmas 2008 puzzles!

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.