Try calling the image in a <DIV>
tag, which will allow a smoother and faster loading time. Take note that because this is a background image, you can also put text over the image between the <DIV></DIV>
tags. This works great for custom store/shop listings as well...to post a cool " Sold Out! " overlay, or whatever you might want.
Here is the pic/text- sided by side version, which can be used for blog post and article listing:
<div class="whatever_container">
<h2>Title/Header Here</h2>
<div id="image-container-name"style="background-image:url('images/whatever-this-is-named.jpg');background color:#FFFFFF;height:75px;width:20%;float:left;margin:0px 25px 0px 5px;"></div>
<p>All of your text goes here next to the image.</p></div>