09: Greek Mythology Puzzle

Photo: My family completing the greek god puzzle @smartigraphicdesign

The stories, the mystery, the characters. Ah, Greek mythology. My darling niece has been jazzed up on Greek mythology for several years now. She practically cried when we found the sculpture of Artemis during a Louvre Museum scavenger hunt one year. So sometimes last spring (during a FaceTime drawing date) we discussed the different gods and goddesses and their stories. We joked about who in our family could role play each character. And this gave me an idea to draw it up and make it into a summer puzzle.

Each god/dess has a symbolic accessories and exhibits special character traits. Hera has peacock feathers, Zeus has a lightning bolt, etc. Fishing out the details is such a delicious part of the research process. Biking to the library, pulling out books, taking notes in the stacks. It's also such a joy to draw my family members as these characters. I often busted up laughing maniacally imagining them with crowns, tridents, wings. I almost felt giddy inside pulling this together.

Photograph: Initial sketches and layout of the greek gods and goddess project idea ©smartigraphicdesign

Illustration: My whole family drawn up as greek gods and goddesses ©smartigraphicdesign

I figured it would be perfect to reveal during a family vacation we were planning to the Greek island of Crete. My family really enjoys puzzles. So I thought, voila - I’ll send this drawing out to be cut into a puzzle and we’ll have something special to enjoy on our vacation. I ended up also making a series of worksheets as teasers that would lead up to the puzzle reveal. It was a joyful creation, and it came when I was actually tied up with a whole host of other projects. But sometimes, that’s how creativity flows when one feels inspired!

Photograph: Greek mythology worksheets I made as part of a family challenge ©smartigraphicdesign

Illustration: Extras doodles inspired by readings in preparation for the project ©smartigraphicdesign

Here's the reveal of the worksheets in July on the first day of our vacation, and both the kiddos and adults were intrigued. It led to some fun moments of competition and a lot of laughs. I thank my lucky stars to have a family willing and ready to play! I was surprised at who was the fastest, who studied, and who was helping other people cheat. Ha! In the end, the puzzle was a calm and fun reflexive activity to wind down the last of our vacation days. It was a sweet way to be silly about the idiosyncrasies of my very special family.

Illustration: From layout sketch to inking colors and finally coloring in characters.. ©smartigraphicdesign

Illustration: The finished Greek God illustration for the puzzle. ©smartigraphicdesign

If you know someone who would enjoy a little Greek mythology worksheets with their loved ones - you are welcome to download your own copy. Just check beforehand to make sure you find it appropriate for the ages and culture in your family - Greek mythology pulls no punches!

Happy playing, smarti