When renowned New Orleans/New York artist Alex Beard introduced his successful line of Impossible Puzzles™ a year ago, he offered people the chance to take an unconventional, challenging, creative approach to art and games simultaneously. The puzzles were wildly successful, as was the introduction of Untamed Games™, a series of strategy games featuring original artwork to inspire creative thinking. By using unconventional avenues, such as puzzles, strategy games and books, to inspire creative thinking, Beard is breaking down the barriers between the artist and the public.

The Alex Beard line of products are available through February at Borders Stores nationwide and select Barnes and Noble Stores.

Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles™
Due to overwhelming demand based on the first series of Impossible Puzzles TM, Alex Beard unveils four new designs: Peacock, Nautilus, Butterflies and The Watering Hole. Each is based on an original work of art by Beard, featuring his signature complex style of Abstract Naturalist creations. The Watering Hole is the first Impossible Puzzle TM created in wood especially for Barnes & Noble. Each puzzler can replicate the original or rearrange the pieces into a new work of art.

Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles™ can be found at major retailers, including Borders, Borders.com, Amazon.com, and Books A Million priced between $15 and $25. Butterflies is available exclusively at Borders and Target.com. Untamed Games™
After introducing Impossible Puzzles", Beard had more ideas to expand the collection. As a painter, writer and traveler, Beard's days are consumed by his insatiable curiosity. His imagination has no boundaries, and that is the theme that surfaced with the introduction of his Untamed" collection. Beard's mission of demystifying art and making it accessible to everyone was the impetus behind his new collection. Hexahedron™ and Face to Face™ both feature Beard's original art with the goal of inspiring creative thinking long after the game is over.

Hexahedron™: An Abstract Matching Game
Recreate Beard's art one cube at a time. Choose a painting card, study it, and then race against the timer to match the artwork in 3 dimensions. Six cubes, six sides, and the sand is falling fast! ($29.99- available 10/1/09)

Face to Face™: A Cubist Strategy Game
Play an eye, a nose or a mouth in the right place at the right time to win the game, and in the process create a unique cubist composition. It's a new twist on dominoes: players need to match facial features and colors. ($19.99 - ages 8+)

Beard's Untamed Games™ can be found at Borders, Borders.com, Amazon.com, BN.com, Calendar Clubs and select Barnes and Noble stores nationally. Hi-res artwork available for all puzzles and games upon request. For more information and to view the works of Alex Beard, please visit www.alexbeardstudio.com . All media inquiries should be directed to Lee Makofsky at or Lee.mako@bhgpr.com .

About Alex Beard
Alex Beard is a painter and writer who has emerged as one of his generation's most creative and successful artists. Through his work, Beard hopes to demystify art and share the creative experience with as many people as possible, using every tool he can find.

The Jungle Grapevine, Beard's debut children's book, was published by Abrams Books for Young Readers in September 2009. A modern telling of the classic telephone game, the book introduces the world of the Watering Hole and its inhabitants, and is based on Beard's many experiences in Africa. A companion set of board games, card games and puzzles accompany the book.

In conjunction with a national book tour to promote The Jungle Grapevine, Beard will introduce his Kids' Day concept at events across the country this fall. Kids' Day encourages children of all ages to embrace their inner artists and participate with Beard in the creative process; drawing and painting, and having fun with art.

New additions to the popular Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles line debuted this autumn along with the introduction of the Untamed Collection, stationery, sketchbooks and the like, which feature all new Alex Beard art. Beard's artwork hangs on public and private walls around the world, as well as in his new gallery on the corner of Royal Street and Pirate's Alley in New Orleans. For more information, please visit his website at www.alexbeardstudio.com .