Thursday, October 23, 2008

Color Me Happy

If there’s one driving ambition behind this blog, it’s to find those creative spirits who bloom just off the beaten path, and to transplant them into the lives of the many readers out there who need a fresh touch of color to get through the day. More often than not, the subject matter inspires a little healthy reflection, but every once in a while, we happen upon something that radiates pure joy…something like the playful, vigorous visions of Zukzuk. While the artist, Helen Acraman, can slog weighty themes with the best of them, as evidenced in This is Where You Live or perhaps the darkly satirical Zukzuk Cow, it’s her sunny side that sets her apart. Grinning bears and random mood bubbles sparkle throughout her work, to the point that the unbridled mirth of pieces like I Run to You and Sugar Drop Baby becomes quite contagious, and the mischief of Masked Bear and others just adds to the innocently utopian ethos.

Though the themes might seem refreshingly cheery, however, there’s no denying that a grown-up soul guides the direction of the art. Acraman’s fascinating family portraits, such as Older and Bolder, Family Tree and Zukzuk Family with a Small Footprint, acknowledge the fact that life is lived in community, none more important than the one closest to us. And if her festively plumed Peacocks or Jelly Bean Birds say anything to us, it’s that color is more a state of mind than an element of art, and that what brightens Acraman’s canvas is simply the overflow of what’s already in her heart. Oh, and by the way, in case you’re interested in bringing a little of this goodness home with you, here’s a jolly bit of news: Helen will be giving you any $20 print of your choice, should you be lucky enough to win today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit the Zukzuk Gallery, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print. Wishing Willow subscribers earn an extra entry; be sure to let us know in a second post if you’re a subscriber. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 10/31/08. Best of Luck!

**We have a winner! Abby who said, "My favorite is definitely Homage, though I loved a lot of her pieces. Really beautiful work.**

144 comments:

Melissa B. said...

I like the Homage limited edition print.

Anonymous said...

"I Run to You" is my favorite. Thanks for offering this giveaway!

shaunjoy said...

My favorite is the Magic Bears (any and all colors) and the Bear Hug. So well-done and 'happy'!

Anonymous said...

i like the "tiny summer landscape".

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

Jenn S. said...

I really like the Bear Hug or the Tiny Summer Landscape - Limited Edition Prints.

judybrittle said...

I just love the Bear Hug. That is so sweet. Thank you so much!

Unknown said...

I really like the Masked Bear Limited Edition Print.. and I love that its available without the colours added :O)

Great contest!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber.

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Tessa said...

I love "Edible Weeds," it's such a great piece! Thanks for doing a fun giveaway. :)

Tessa said...

I'm a subscriber (tm1224) (at) (gmail-dot-com).

zukzuk said...

Did you have honey for breakfast? My art and I just feel so pampered!

Three cheers for one-sided critiques!!

;-)

jeanine said...

I love the "Edible Weeds" print.

Anonymous said...

I loveeeeeeeeeeeeee this picture...
LARGE limited edition print - Magic Blossom Bears

please enter me...
lilhottemomma @ yahoo . com

mverno said...

magic moss bears

malleycc said...

I love the print
Homage-Limited Edition Print

Mia J. said...

My favorite is Bear Hug. It is so sweet.

Kirby McCauley said...

Bear Hug makes me happy. *warm fuzzies*

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

bear hug

Anonymous said...

My favorite is definitely Homage, though I loved a lot of her pieces. Really beautiful work.

leftymylou at gmail dot com

Irit said...

It's so hard to decide, but I love I Run to You - Limited edition print. It's adorable.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Irit said...

I'm also a subscriber.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Kathleen W. said...

Oh you guys are at it again...when will the cool art giveaways end?? Hopefully never. I need to win at least one!

My fave is the Masked Bear-Limited Edition Print. Thanks!

Kathleen W. said...

I'm a subscriber too at katwalck at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like Homage the best, I think.

Unknown said...

I like the magic moss bears.

Unknown said...

I like "My small world print"

agordon10 said...

like the Bear Hug

Kristan said...

i like the jelly bean birds.
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com

ThreadBeaur said...

I love the magic moss bears! They are so cute and the color is wonderful! I am adding this shop to my favorites on etsy! Thanks for introducing me to her shop.

Stacy said...

I would love the Zukzuk Best Time of the Day.

hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ellerenee said...

I have two favorites...Sugardrop Baby and Jelly Bean Birds. They are so happy and sweet.
laylarenee[at]cfl.rr.com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

My favorite is treasure tree.

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Zukzuk Peacocks Orange is my favorite

vboackle said...

i like tiny summer landscape.

Anonymous said...

Jelly Bean Birds-Limited Edition Print is my fav :o)

windycindy said...

Two of my favorite prints are "Bear
Hug" and "Tiny Landscape Autumn!"
Please enter me in another of your
fabulous giveaway drawings. Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the Family Tree print.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I run to you is my favorite!! What a great artist!

autumn398 (at) yahoo.com

ky2here said...

Let's go with '1 head green and pig'. I like the abstraction and it's fun without looking disturbing. I find many abstract art pieces potentially violent and the subtext concerns me. This one is just fun - and strange (in a good way).

bluenude3 said...

I love the Magic Moss Bears-Limited Edition Print. Thanks!

SeptemberLovely said...

Bear Hug is definitely my fave! Sooo cute!!

SeptemberLovely said...

<---Subscriber!!

toughturtles said...

Zukzuk Peacocks Orange

Nicole said...

I like the 'Tiny Autumn Landscape".

Brimful Curiosities said...

Bear Hug caught my eye right away! In our family we call them "Group Hugs," and my daughter dearly loves to initiate them.

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

i really like the color patterns chosen on the prints,nice.My grandson's billy and kolby are both fascinated with bears,so i would have to choose one of the bear prints..uumm the Tasty Original Magic Bears-Limited Edition Print or Bear Hug!
thanks and enter me please


oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

I am a subscriber as well...

oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com

PS said...

It is a toss up between Tiny Summer Landscape and Treasure Tree! Thanks!!

Jingle said...

Oh, it is hard to chose! I like Martin's Chair Collection a lot, but I also really like some of the Faculty series! Intriguing designs with provocative ideas!

Laura said...

Really great prints! My favorite is the "I Run to You" limited design. Thanks! laurachilton {at} hotmail.com

Laura said...

I'm also a subscriber, yay!
laurachilton {at} hotmail.com

flapjacs said...

I love them all, especially the bright ones.
The one I love the most and would love to buy is My Small World. The colours and the title inspire me.
ZukZuk is amazing!

Unknown said...

birdland

Unknown said...

i am a subscriber

idahomom said...

Magic Bears

Abby said...

My faves are all the peacock prints. But my daughter has been on a bit of a peacock kick lately!

ajcmeyer AT go DOT com

Anonymous said...

i love the eye-popping colors on "i run to you", although I adore the warm tones and happy family depicted in "bear hug". i'd pick" i run to you", if I was fortunate enough to win.

drgarnecki at gmail dot come

Anonymous said...

subscriber

Laura said...

What beautiful work. Jellybean Birds is my favorite and would look great in my daughter's room!

Aprilshowers said...

It's hard to choose. There are so many nice ones. I like the Jelly Bean Birds print.

Croasla0 said...

i like the bear hug print!

lauren
croasla0(at)sewanee.edu

Sunnyvale said...

Tea Time is adorable.

Katie said...

I think the Tasty Original Magic Bears-Limited Edition Print is great.
katiekarr at gmail dot com

janetfaye said...

I like the Jelly Bean Birds-Limited Edition Print.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I am subscribed.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Genevieve P said...

I like Bear Hug and Homage.
parknj at basicisp dot net

kmbennet said...

I like the Treasure Tree-Hand painted Limited Edition . thanx for the contest.

Anonymous said...

I really like the Birdland print-lovely design and colors!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Alice H said...

Martin's chair is my favorite - it was hard to choose though! Thanks! alicedemske@hotmail.com

Alice H said...

Also I'm a wishing willow subscriber - thanks! alicedemske@hotmail.com

Twincere said...

I love the "Zukzuk Spacebabies"! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

llinda29 said...

Magic Moss Bears-Limited Edition Print is my choice

Anonymous said...

I liked the older and Bolder limited edition or the Odd bods, quirky and fun. - Zukzuk's comment made me laugh.

rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I am a subscriber via email.

rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Anonymous said...

Day in day out
Jaleigh78[at]aol[dot]com

The Jackson Family said...

So fun! I do love the I Run to you print the best, super cute!

The Jackson Family said...

I am also a subscriber:)

Anonymous said...

I liked the Wierd hair feeding birds, - thanks for the sweeps.

davidjnorris(at)ntlworld.com

cathyhall said...

I loved the love print and teh black and white and read all over! I can't wait for this draw!!!

msrodeobrat said...

i like zukzuk peacocks

Heather said...

Zukzuk Mermaid

DEY said...

Love the Zukzuk Peacocks White. Thanks for the giveaway.

Katja said...

I would love to win! I like the Treasure Tree- gorgeous! Thank you for a great giveaway!

jeanine said...

Subscriber!

kdkdkd said...

Bear Hug, looks like our happy little bear family :)

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I like the Peacock Orange from the Zukzuk Gallery! Another bird, and what a beautiful one!

Tonya said...

i just love the bear hug

valerie2350 said...

I like the peacocks!

Unknown said...

Zukzuk Wooden

Sarah Z said...

I like "too much weather".

Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like "Bear Hug".

galeogirl(at)comcast(dot)net

Diana said...

The Jelly Bean Birds is my favorite!

maggie said...

My favorite is Best Time of Day. Count me in please.

maggie said...

I'm a subscriber.

jassmg2024 said...

Love Bear Hug

checkers said...

My small world print.. thanks.
skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Tiny summer landscape
Butchbarbee66[at]aol[dot]com

kygirl said...

Bear Hug

Anonymous said...

The Bear Hug is SO SO SO cute

Unknown said...

Treasure Tree-Hand painted Limited Edition is my fav!

Unknown said...

I am a subscriber!

Sara said...

I love the I run to you print

Smooshy said...

i like the mermaid

Anonymous said...

The Bear Hug is so lovely. I can't believe it isn't EVERYONE's favourite.

Molly said...

i like magic moss bears the best!
momabr at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

my small world is the one I like best.

caden@pineland.net

littlelatina said...

The Large limited print of "I Run to You" is gorgeous. I'd love this for my boys bedroom.

Heather B said...

I really like the I Run to You

Anonymous said...

I love the I Run To You. I think it would be perfect for my brother's soon to be here newborn baby's room. It's different and cute :)

Kari said...

I really love the Family Tree print

Anonymous said...

The "weird hair feeding birds" print is my favorite one.

email: ilikewinningstuff@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Our nursery-to-be has a bit of a peacock theme, so the Peacocks Print in White is PERFECT!

Thanks for the great contest!
Tara
twowishesblog at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Also, I love everything about your site and am newly subscribed to your feed. So happy to have discovered you!

Tara
twowishesblog at gmail.com

Karen said...

Love "I run to you."

ktgonyea at gmail.com

klp1965 said...

i love the Homage-Limited Edition Print

CCAT45 said...

I like Bear Hug

Sue Farrell said...

I like the Zukzuk Peacocks White the best.

farrell@crosslake.net

John said...

My favorite is the Magic Bears, but so much of it is wonderful! Thanks.

John said...

I subscribe, thanks again!

Anna Lloyd said...

Birdland is my favourite. Lovely work!

Anna Lloyd said...

I'm a subscriber.

rosannepm said...

SugarDrop Baby

JACLYN said...

I like the Zukzuk Mermaid print.

JACLYN said...

I'm a happy subscriber too!

Hanna said...

I like Older and Bolder.

Hanna said...

I'm a subscriber.

Alorinna said...

Bear hug is awesome!

alorinna@gmail.com

Alorinna said...

I subscribe :)

alorinna@gmail.com

masmola said...

I Love zukzuk tea time

Jenn@Sweet T Makes Three said...

The Magic Moss Bears are adorable. I love the way the baby is looking up at the Mommy. So sweet!

Anonymous said...

I like the Homage-Limited Edition Print.

Mae B said...

I love the masked bear print

KristenH said...

There are some prints that I really like. I love the Family Tree print and the Limited Edition print-Cloud 9. This is a great giveaway and I really hope I win. Thanks.
girlof80s@aol.com

Aura said...

I really love the colors of Run To You. The Magic Blossom Bears is also beautiful and would be a great addition to my children's room
aahaft at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Family Tree or Homage Many Thanks

Brooke said...

I really like Bear Hug.

Gus and Clay's Mama said...

I love the treasure tree!!

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Bear Hug. Thanks

SeahorseLady said...

Zukzuk Mermaid is my favorite.
Thank you for the nice giveaway.

SeahorseLady said...

I'm also a subscriber.

Xenia said...

I like so many of the prints, but I can't get past how sweet Bear Hug is. As we're having our second child next month I love the sweet foursome of bears because of how much they relate to my own life.

Thanks!
xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Rockin' Mama said...

Tiny Summer Landscape is my fav

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com

h. mcnaron said...

masked bear!!!!
hmcnaron gmail com

Wishing Willow said...

This contest has ended. Thank you all for participating :)