Friday, October 17, 2008

Creatures of Refinement

William Wegman made a splash in the 1980s when his Weimaraners, Man Ray and Fay Ray, starred in a series of coffee table books about dogs posing as humans. The books enjoyed a honeymoon of brief popularity, of course, but among some critics, whispers surfaced that the novelty of the idea had obscured an inherent limitation in the photography: No matter how beautiful his compositions, Wegman never could make his dogs look like anything other than dogs in human clothing. Fortunately, artist Ryan Berkley at Berkley Illustration knows no such ceiling. With uncanny portraiture and a style sense that would make Tim Gunn swoon, Berkley has made a name for himself by giving us such luminaries as the bowtied Blue Jay and the buckaroo T-Rex, the pipe-puffing Panda in Oxford smoking jacket and the sophomoric, sweater-vested Frog whose endearing look of naiveté gives new meaning to “green around the gills.” Consistent with the clothing-model sobriety of their expressions, Berkley also fits each animal with a description that is every bit as smart as the Windsor knot or bowler hat the animal proudly wears.

Some artists find a way to make the most of a moment. Berkley doesn’t have to—not when his portfolio is populated by so many classic characters. Heck, you might even find your own kin in this gallery: the Painted Turtle, perhaps, whose fez-tooned pragmatism reminds you of that feisty old uncle in the Shriners; or the Squirrel Lady, maybe, whose silk-and-bow self-confidence stirs memories of the big sister you had who’d sooner send a suitor packing than let him get fresh with her on a date. To anyone intent on picking one favorite, I can only say good luck. The good news if you do, however, is that Berkley Illustration just might let you have it. The winner of today’s giveaway will receive the print of his/her choice. To qualify, visit Berkley Illustration, then come back here to tell us about your favorite. Let us know in a second post if you to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. (If you don't have a Google account, just click “anonymous” or "name" to leave a post. Please be sure to also leave your email address.) The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 10/24/08.

**We have a winner! Mannequin who said, "EEEKKK. I don't believe it! I've had this bookmarked and I'm sure he has detected my drool all over his shoppe. I absolutely adore Billy Goat. What insight! What creativity! I am smitten." Congrats!***

173 comments:

Jen lleras said...

I am such a fan, I have blogged about this etsy before!!!! I would choose my favorite, the cheeta of course, he's like a kitty bond!

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

Melissa said...

The polar bear, without a doubt.

Jenn S. said...

I love the Two Mice print 5x7. Too cute.

Anonymous said...

EEEKKK. I don't believe it! I've had this bookmarked and I'm sure he has detected my drool all over his shoppe.
I absolutely adore Billy Goat. What insight! What creativity! I am smitten.

Anonymous said...

And yes, yes, yes! I am a subscriber!
Can I subscribe to anything else? LOL

SeptemberLovely said...

My fave of his art is by far "Line Up print 8x10". I don't know why but I absolutely love it over all the others.

Thanks and good luck everyone!!

SeptemberLovely said...

PS - I am a subscriber to Wishing Willow

Heather said...

HAHA! I really enjoy the Old Timey Biker Daredevil print 8x10 & the Big Sur-prise print 8x10.

Nice work.

Anonymous said...

really like the Painted Turtle.

Kirby McCauley said...

My brother & I go to the University of Memphis & just got our first house. We NEED the Tiger print!!

huggr1960 said...

The painted turtle is sooooooooo cool.

plhill2000 said...

Would love the Berserk print to give to my son.

Jodi Renshaw said...

I have always loved this guys work. So unique. I have a few loves and they include: Two Mice, Squirrel, Hedgehog and Seagull. I suppose that if I could only pick one ... it would be Hedgehog.

Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

Love,
Jodi
jrenshaw@hotmail.com

Jodi Renshaw said...

I am a subscriber.
jrenshaw@hotmail.com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

best friends or warrors are adorable mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

subscribed mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

kygirl said...

T-Rex Dinosaur print 5x7

Anonymous said...

I'm not here for the contest, but I just wanted to say thanks for the write up, Tara!
Oh, and I am now a subscriber!
-Ryan

Fangirl Jen said...

I subscribe to your RSS Feed.

Mia J. said...

I really like the Polar Bear and the Lady Rabbit.

Anonymous said...

Cardinal print 5x7-- Tweet Tweet

Unknown said...

I like the lady rabbit print.

mverno said...

cardinal print is excellent

Annie1 said...

I have always had a thing for the ocean! I live on an island, so I'm surrounded and always so happy!

I love The Whale Wins print! Its beautiful!

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Irit said...

I LOVE the Frog print - his serious face is hilarious.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Irit said...

I'm a subscriber.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Erica C. said...

The Chase print is awesome...so different!

Ellerenee said...

I like the Lady Rabbit print. She looks very fancy.
laylarenee[at]cfl.rr.com

Ellerenee said...

I'm a subscriber.
laylarenee[at]cfl.rr.com

Anonymous said...

It was a hard fight between the raccoon and the panda, but the pandra print won out (I think it's the pipe)!

Paige said...

Tough choice!!! I think I like the
Giraffe print best. Something about the exotic prints really appeals to me :)

Anonymous said...

I love sharks, so I'd pick the Hammerhead shark print.

galeogirl(at)comcast(dot)net

hnlpfaff said...

I like the whale one.. I would like it better if it were a dolphin.. i have a dolphin collection of over 200 dolphins

Sky Farms said...

Hard to choose...but I think I really like the Woodpecker print. They are all so interesting, they look like they are getting yearbook photos!

I'm a subscriber, I love your blog!

Anonymous said...

polar bear

danosor said...

I am a subscriber.

Karen said...

Polar Bears :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

mensa63 said...

Hard choice as they are all so cute. But finally settled on the hedgehog and the barn owl. My uncle had a dairy farm and one year a family of barn owls made a nest in his hay loft rafters. We really enjoyed watching their progress. They are such beautiful birds.

Christina said...

I like the Two Mice print 5x7 best.

kdkdkd said...

I love the Mama Duck and Ducklings print set but my son loves the Archaeopteryx Dinosaur print

Sunnyvale said...

These are all so nice, but I would get the giraffe for my daughter who collects giraffes.

Anonymous said...

I like the 8x10 Seagull Print.

Ken said...

My sister loves the Penguin print 5x7. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

jenny said...

i think thay are realy nice and well i have any one of them in my kids room thay are just too sweet

DEY said...

Love the bat and the forest warriors. Great giveaway, thanks!

toughturtles said...

Painted Turtle print 8x10

silverbele said...

the polar bear is great

Anonymous said...

Winged Cowboy

Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Wehaf said...

I love the Hedgehog print! The eyes are amazing!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I can't pick just one! I love the Deer print and the Two Mice print, they're both great.

sundaygirl at gmail dot com

masmola said...

I like the Mr. and Mrs Cardinal print because cardinals are deer to my heart

Jess said...

I love the robin print - robins are truly out to look that poised.

Jess
jessica.tupper at gmail dot com

Croasla0 said...

i like the penguin print!

Lauren
croasla0(at)sewanee.edu

kalea_kane said...

Very very cool. I am torn. I absolutely loved the two mice, but the mama duck and ducklings were really endearing as well. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I am also a subscriber. LOVE your reviews! So helpful for my Christmas shopping!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

You're not kidding -- it's very hard to pick just one favorite! If I had to choose, though, I guess I'd have to go with the Panda print. Love the pipe.

aine_42 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

These are so cool! Love the Painted Turtle Print!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

zukzuk said...

Gee, how can you choose just one?!

They're all fab, such great illustrations. Okay, I'll go with "THE CHASE PRINT" 'cos it cracks me up so.

windycindy said...

Love the site! Very original. I adore the "Lady Rabbit" Print. Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am a subscriber! Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

David Johnson said...

I like the Dolphin print 5x7 thanks titanicluck at gmail dot com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I like the Forest Warriors print, with the two beautiful wolves in the green forest under the moon! Truly eerie AND lovely

Brooke said...

I LOVE all of them!!!! But I'd take the Giraffe first, then the Barn Owl, then the Bat...

Ludmilochka said...

Polar Bear print 5x7 is super!!!

Xenia said...

What a great shop! My favorite is the Best Friends print 5x7 because of how sweet it is. Plus my daughter is in love with monkeys, so I know she would adore having this around too.

Thanks!
xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like the mallard duck print - so unique!

littlelatina said...

I really like The mom duck and ducklings also I adore the giraffe. These are really great.

PS said...

What fun! I love the Hedgehog print 5x7- He is just adorable!

Unknown said...

brown bat is definitely my favorite!

iggysaysno said...

Forest Warriors print 5x7

llinda29 said...

I just have to have the giraffe

Genevieve P said...

I like the Two Mice and the Mama Duck and Ducklings.

Katie said...

I think the The Amazing Esposito Brothers print is awesome. Lemurs!
katiekarr at gmail dot com

The Saunders Family said...

love anything with whales!
mom2maria at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I like the female duck print!

Bettina said...

I like the Shipwreck print.

Anonymous said...

I like the Billy Goat eating its own tie!

Thank you!
Cecilia
onenightoff (at) gmail (dot) com

ky2here said...

I liked Captain Burnside until I saw the print had the head - I liked him better decapitated LOL. I'll go with Carson and Pink Zombie.

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I really like the cheetah print, these are pretty funny!

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am a subscriber!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com

vboackle said...

i like the cheetah print.

Unknown said...

Forest Warriors print is my favorite!! Just beautiful!

Unknown said...

I like the Best Friends print.

Mary A said...

Our favorite is the Painted Turtle. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I loove the boy and girl squirrel prints! I've actually had them on my faves as they'll be soo sweet in my daughter's quirky, forest themed bedroom!

Kathleen W. said...

First off, you have the best art giveaways and finds, by far.

These would be great in my son's room. I love the Painted Turtle and the Crow. I wish there was an elephant, since they are my favorite animal, but I suppose all that trunk wouldn't fit in the frame.

Thanks!

Kathleen W. said...

I subscribe at katwalck at hotmail dot com

Abby said...

The hedgehog one is my favorite. How cuuute!

ajcmeyer AT go DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love frogs

Unknown said...

Two Mice print 5x7 is my favorite

Unknown said...

These are just amazing! One of those, I can't imagine life before Wishing Willow type of moments! I love the Squirrel Lady print! I've added her shop to my Etsy favorites and I'll be back for some Christmas shopping.

Leigh Melton said...

Who could resist a painted turtle wearing a fez???

Marie said...

These are so neat! I love the Tiger best but it's really hard to choose!

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

Last Mom said...

I love all things giraffes. I would love to win a giraffe print.

Unknown said...

I am particuarly enamored with Abominable Snowpeople Family print

Roxy said...

I love the Tiger Print.

hockiemack@hotmail.com

RE said...

My little one loves turtles, so we'd have to go with that one. Thanks for the giveaway!

wigget said...

my favorite is the Painted Turtle print 8x10 - go terps!

Smooshy said...

i want wendell the zombie

Anonymous said...

For myself, I love that polar bear but I know my son would love the Wendell the Zombie print. I might pick that one up for him for Christmas!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber too!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

bison61 said...

I like the Squirrel print

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jeanette J said...

Hard to choose just one but my favourite is The Line Up although the zombies prints are a close second

Sue Farrell said...

I really like the two mice print.

farrell@crosslake.net

Sue said...

I think the line up is hysterical and the two mice are very cute. The polar bears give me a sad yet serene feeling. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I like the mice print. Thanks.

judybrittle said...

My favorite is the Two Mice print. That is so cute! My grandson would really love the T Rex Dinosaur print.
I might have to get him that. Thank you!
judybrittle at aol dot com

Molly C. said...

I am cracking up over the Zombie pics.

valerie2350 said...

love the raccoon!

jemmmers74 said...

love the Frog print 5x7

Suzanne said...

Raccoon print 8x10

Allyson Hill said...

The boy squirrel! And the frog!

Allyson Hill said...

I subscribe : )

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

I just love his prints! My fav is the praying mantis print!

enter me please

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

i am a subsciber as well ;)

Anonymous said...

The Polar Bear made me smile. That would be my first choice. My next ones would be the White Rabbit and the Horse.
Sheila
chiliburger@icehouse.net

Anonymous said...

I would pick the polar bear.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

kaylee8 said...

I like the Tiger print the best!

jvlmary said...

My son would love the Great White shark print...(mouth open and all)

pitaharmon said...

This place is just awesome. I Love the racoon or squirrel lady. What an imagination. Why can't I be like that!!!
harmonden[at]wowway.com

Kt said...

hmmm i think best friends might be my fav...it's so cute and well done!

kenny vs. shark is pretty sweet though....

kmsst19@ gmail.com

Heather B said...

my son would love the TRex print!

37 Questions said...

I just love the Crow print.

jeanine said...

They are all so great, but I think I like the Painted Turtle print best.

Anonymous said...

I loved many, but it came down to the jackrabbit and the frog...and mister frog won out.

leftymylou at gmail dot com

Becky said...

I love the T-Rex Dinosaur print 8x10. Loved it!! This would look so good in the boys room.

Thanks so much.

Becky said...

I am a subscriber.

Jessilyn82 said...

I love the Painted Turtle, I have turtles and this would look fabulous over their tank in the great room, very cool!

jessica a said...

I like the Kenny Rainbows print. imjessica@mail.com

ThreadBeaur said...

How fun, and unique! I love the squirrel! He looks very distinguished!

rosannepm said...

I like the see though shark print

KristenH said...

There are several prints that I really like. However, my favorite prints are the Mr and Mrs Cardinal print set and the Cardinal print 5x7. I love Cardinals so much. I am fascinated with them and would love to win one of these prints. It would mean a lot to me. This is a great giveaway. Thanks.
girlof80s@aol.com

Leslie said...

The Tiger With Stars print is great

djolsen said...

going thru about 4 times i finally decided on the woodpecker. what a job! they are all wonderful. A new experience for me.

Unknown said...

Definitely the Cheetah!

rdazer said...

i love the Labrador Retriever...awesome!

cathyhall said...

I loved the frog print and the polar bear. these are so inspiring. Great give away, thanks you.

cathyhall said...

I subscribe.

Anonymous said...

I am crazy for the dolphin! Great give away, thanks for th chance to win.

rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe, but I am late entering this one, I don't know how I missed it!
rhubbert(at)socal.rr.com

Samantha P said...

i like the T-Rex Dinosaur print, so cool, he looks like he's at a gay rodeo! hahaha!

Unknown said...

The Fighting Sasquatch Brothers is my favorite. garrettsambo@aol.com

intime said...

Berserk print

djgroz said...

Mr and Mrs Cardinal

sheriamore said...

I am torn between the giraffe and the TRex

sheriamore@gmail.com

sheriamore said...

I am a subscriber

arvard said...

I like the Woodpecker print.

klp1965 said...

i like the T-Rex Dinosaur print 8x10

Melissa B. said...

I love the Lady Rabbit print. We have two rabbits and would really appreciate this.

Anonymous said...

I love the Mama Duck and Ducklings print set. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Sahm Lee said...

I love the Forest Warriors print 5x7! thanks for the contest!
airalynn(@)gmail . com

Anonymous said...

I like the squirrel, which would be perfect for up north. My dad is always fighting the squirrels that take over the birdfeeders. This would be perfect for him!

metrofmcat(aol)dotcom

fancyfeet48 said...

I like the Mr. and Mrs Cardinal print

checkers said...

the cardinal print.ty. skyskyaa11@gmail(dot)com

Donna said...

I like the Lady Rabbit print
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I am a subscriber
donna444444@yahoo.com

Helen said...

Painted Turtle print 11x14 is my favorite!

Eric Rathbun said...

I like the Cheetah print

Sarah Kate said...

I absolutely love the little hedgehog.

Sarahk380@gmail.com

Tara said...

I LOVE Carson the Pink Zombie!!! It would be the perfect addition to my city apartment!

Anonymous said...

My daughtes loved the dolphin print as Splash the dolphin is their school mascot.ashlyn@chuparkoff.com

Unknown said...

They are all soooo refined! I'm a fan of cardinals - they come to my feeders every dusk and loudly demand food! The squirrel steals the food all day. We just removed Mr. Mouse from our attic with a Hav-a-Heart trap - he probably will be back - loves the menu.

Mark and Meghan said...

huge fan, love them all.

meghanmaughan@yahoo.com

/\Heather/\ said...

The Hedgehog print makes me laugh. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Old Timey Biker Daredevil
Jaleigh78[at]aol[dot]com

yadgirl said...

the Panda

The Jackson Family said...

I love the lady rabbit print, so different but friendly:)

The Jackson Family said...

I am also a subscriber:)

Joye said...

My son would love the T-Rex one but I really like the polar bear.

Joye said...

I am also a subscriber to :)

Heather said...

The Tiger with stars print.

Anonymous said...

I am such a fan.

Anonymous said...

I adore the Buck print!

heatheranne99@hotmail.com