Jeff

I agree with the other positive comments on this puzzle. The theme took a bit of time; I got it when I realized that my fill from crosses was redundant with what I had put into the rebus. Removing the extra letters got me NORTH. And it went smoothly from there. But virtually all the clues were fun, even when not part of the theme.

Early on I figured out that by paintings they meant artists. And then eventually that the downletter was not part of the cross. It took forever because of the lack of cross-referencing in the clues. And then after solving it, and double-checking it, and removing the rebuses, and having a friend check it.....it remains unsolved according to the app. I was prepared to admire it, but this is just too frustrating. And I agree that CRES and FLAM are bogus.

I would describe this one as cute and charming. I quite enjoyed it, even as it was a bit easier than many Thursdays. Nice idea, well executed.