Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Life at the End of the World

A Finnish friend of mine once refused to describe his experience growing up in far northern Lapland, where in winter man lives in perpetual darkness, and even in summer trees literally twist themselves trying to chase the sun’s fleeting circuit across the sky. “That,” he said with a dismissive shrug, “was life.” I’ve tried often to remember those words when attempting to interpret unique and offbeat artistic themes such as Sara Broski’s positioning of animals against largely empty backdrops, as typified in Polar Opposites. I’d like to think there is a suggestion here, in the polar bears’ amble over the barren ice toward each other, that life at the end of the world is not so lonely after all. Similarly, in Unfinished, to employ another example, I’m just presumptuous enough to see more than a shark without a fin. Maybe this is a picture of identity confusion. Maybe it’s deeper than that. Or perhaps, at the end of the day, the creative force behind Hisss Illustration is just painting “life.”

Whatever the case, one can’t help but be impressed with the clever juxtapositions and even wittier titles particular to her work—Newly Webbed being an apt example. (The humor is so perfectly placed, in fact, that I wonder sometimes which came first, the art or the title.) But whether you gravitate toward her still life portraits of ships or skulls, her ironically manipulated animal life, her faux-portraits ranging from Lincoln to Blanche (of Golden Girls fame, for the unitiated), or any of a dozen other themes, you’re sure to find something to like in the Hisss repertoire. You might even be lucky to win a print for yourself. For the winner of this giveaway, Sara Broski is offering a print of the reader's choice. To qualify, visit Hisss Illustration, then return here to tell us about your favorite print. Wishing Willow subscribers receive a second entry, so be sure to let us know in a second post that you subscribe. (If you don't have a Google account, just click “anonymous” to leave a post. Be sure to also leave your email address.) The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 10/21/08.

**We have a winner! Cindi who said "Hello, What unusual and eclectic paintings! We had a pet fox and I really like the "Faux Fox" painting!"Another favorite of mine is the "Gerber Daisies!" Please enter me in your delightful drawing. I love to use paintings/prints in our home. Many thanks.**

174 comments:

Sky Farms said...

I love Daphne and Heart of the Forest. Also, Reincarnation. Okay okay, I love them ALL! Beautiful, interesting perspective.

Jen lleras said...

I like antantlers best, it reminds me of when i was little watching the ants in my yard carry food back in long lines and wondering about their lives, I was weird.

Jen
jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

DaliDecals.com said...

I LOVE SARA'S WORK!!! Ive always admired her stuff and think shes got amazing talent.. Great write up!! She deserves it :)

Jenn S. said...

The mousestache is really cute. It brings a smile to my face.

kygirl said...

polar opposites are my pick.

mensa63 said...

Love the whimsey of the artist and the newly webbed caught my eye. Every summer out at the lake there are always early morning webs to be found sometimes dripping with dew and sometimes with the spider's breakfast waiting. Not gruesome, just nature.

vibrantfun said...

I like Newly webbed and Heart of the forrest. Like them all actually.

Mia J. said...

I really like the polar opposites.

loni broesch said...

I like Unfinished

Anonymous said...

Reincarnation is definitely my favorite, and shows some great versatility in the artist's work...Awesome work. My email : Stevie374@aol.com

Maja said...

angelina115@hotmail.com

Mousestache is so cute.

janeh said...

Reincarnation

Anonymous said...

polarity

Anonymous said...

I love Polar opposites, they look like they are moving towards one another and together could resolve any hurdle they encounter, just like most loving couples. The pink background on the fauxfox would make it a great gift for someone that your encouraging to get a mammogram for Breast Cancer Awareness, maybe give it with a card that reads: You want to stay foxy don't you? Well get your mammo done. Remember It's Breast Cancer Awareness month. I also like the Twocan. Twocan make it together. Twocan overcome. Twocan make a dream come true. Twocan, can you?

Amanda said...

I love little ship at sea!

kel[E] said...

Gerber Daisy's and Twocan.

Thanks for the chance!

k.louise7@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like the "gerber daisies" I love the simplicity of the flowers, and the colours are pretty. I love flowers there just so pretty!

B. said...

rabbit, faux fox, daphne, you are what you eat, polar opposites. love all of thhose how beautiful

Anonymous said...

Such creative work! My favorite is the Reincarnation print.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Tina12312 said...

So very cool! I am in love with Polar Opposites. Thank you so much!

mverno said...

i like little ship at sea

Karen said...

Love Daphne and Heart of the Forest.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

shaunjoy said...

Very interesting and unique work...I liked the shark and the zebra...but my fav was 'my little blue bird' -- so simple and happy in a calm way.

shaunjoy(at)juno(dot)com

Anonymous said...

handy handlebars

Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Siberiansunset said...

I like gerber daisies:) Handy handlebars is great too!

Sarah said...

Black white and pink all over is my fave...zebras rule!

ignoramoose (at) gmail (dot) com

jenna said...

These prints are *so* beautiful - I'm happy to even be considered! Picking a favorite is hard - I like "My Little Blue Bird," "Flying Friends," and "Handy Handlebars." Love the detail and simplicity.

kristin said...

black and white and pink all over is my first pick, followed by polar opposites! (i just love the pink and blue backgrounds in them.)

kristin said...

and I subscribe. ;)

Anonymous said...

antantlers

idahomom said...

Heart of the Forest is very nice.

Anissa said...

Mousetache is too cute and my son loves mice:)

Wehaf said...

I love twocan and reincarnation, but it was super hard to narrow it down!

urchiken at gmail dot com

toughturtles said...

black white and pink all over

kmbennet said...

I like the Gerber Daises. Thanx for the contest.

Anonymous said...

Love Reincarnation and Polar Opposites. Heart of the Forest is my third choice. Lol. Very beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! I really like the "polar opposites" one

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

subscriber

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

love polar opposites and heart of the forest

Meaghan F. said...

I like the polar opposites.

Sunnyvale said...

I like Reincarnation, I was leaning toward Abe, but the chicken feet are disturbing

judybrittle said...

I love Rabbit Tail. That is really beautiful. Thank you!
judybrittle at aol dot com

judybrittle said...

I'm subscribed
judybrittle at aol dot com

Croasla0 said...

i like black white and pink all over!

lauren
croasla0@sewanee.edu

Abby said...

Black and White and pink all over is my favorite!

ajcmeyer AT go Dot com

Aprilshowers said...

I like Black White and Pink All Over and Rabbit Tail

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

My favorite is the gerber daisies.

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

Stephanie said...

polar opposites is my favorite and would match perfectly in my son's room.
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Jeremiah McNichols said...

Unfinished (the shark one)! Great giveaway.

artzaad (at) gmail (dot) com

Laura said...

Maybe because it is the first one I saw, but I just love "black white and pink all over" (the zebra). What interesting works of art!

Kimberly B. said...

I love Reincarnation. It's so pretty!

Bebemiqui said...

I like the "Flying Friends"!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

moushka said...

My Dad and Step-Mom collect things with Polar Bears. I am always on the look out for something fun and unique for them. The Polar Opposites would be perfect!

Ann said...

I love the faux fox print, really nice! Thanks for the great giveaway!

ann dot guns at mac dot com

Ann said...

I'm a subscriber.

ann dot guns at mac dot com

Buki Family said...

gerber daisies are my favoirte!

Colengal said...

Flying Friends is my favorite. The blue just pops!

Anonymous said...

I like "Reincarnation".

megan said...

The Blanche kind of scares me, but I love the black, white and pink. That's beautiful.

no said...

Faux Fox is my favorite. It's somehow lonely and not at the same time.

Kathleen W. said...

These are amazing! I'm an artist and art teacher and would love to display this artwork in my home. My favorite is the Floating Bed/Sleeping Dog. Very Frida Kahlo-esque.

Kathleen W. said...

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

Tammy said...

I adore the My Little Blue Bird print.

vboackle said...

i like the gerber daises.

laura @ so alaurable said...

I love the black, white, and pink all over, it makes me think of a joke.

laura @ so alaurable said...

I'm a subscriber!

Mary A said...

My favorite is handy handlebars. Too funny. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss. Thanks for the giveaway.

Genevieve P said...

little ship at sea is my favorite.

Tonya said...

I LOVE black white and pink all over. It is wonderful!

Bettina said...

Gerber Daisy, Little Ship at Sea and You Are What You Eat!

Unknown said...

My favorite print is the faux fox!

Sarah Z said...

I love "my little bluebird!"

Thanks!
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

PS said...

I went to school with someone who made illustrations similar to her, but these are much better. I like the Gerber Daises, but Antantlers is great too!

Kimberly said...

I actually really love the polar opposites artwork because my daughter is a HUGE fan of Polar Bears. She really loves them and this would make a wonderful gift for her this holiday season to hang on her bedroom wall.

Thanks for a great giveaway!

HunnyV "at" Optonline "dot" net

DEY said...

I like polar opposites. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I really like the simplicity of these prints-especially like the Polar Opposites Print!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Anonymous said...

wow these are just stunning. i love the gerber daisies.

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love the black white and pink all over print. It would go perfectly in my dd's room.

hebert024 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I can't decide between Rabbit Tail and Faux Fox :-)

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

Anonymous said...

I like the "black white and pink all over" print.

jeanne_mcnamara@yahoo.com

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I like Faux Fox and Polar Opposites.

littlelatina said...

I like Reincarnation and newly ebbed

Xenia said...

It's a hard decision but I think that Polar Opposites and Black, White and Pink All Over are my favorites. I wish I was this creative!

Thanks!
xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

kdkdkd said...

I love polar opposites best although flying friends is cool too

The Saunders Family said...

I really like the zebra and it would be great in our new nursery
mom2maria at hotmail dot com

Jess V. said...

I love Charles. All of the artwork is beautiful and innovative. I would be privledged to own something from this artist.

Anonymous said...

I especislly like the Rose Print-gorgeous!
Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Roxy said...

They're all great, but I love the black white and pink all over!

hockiemack@hotmail.com

Just A Mom said...

I love Flying Friends. Thanks for the chance to win!

yadgirl said...

I like polar opposites

RE said...

I love Polar Opposites, as well as Charles - He reminds me of a Monty Python character!

Anonymous said...

So hard to pick a favorite -- they're all so lovely. But if I had to choose, I'd probably go with Polar Opposites or Faux Fox.

I love her photos, too. I favorited both of the shops.

Thanks for the chance to win!
aine_42 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - My favorite is Polar Opposites, closely followed by Floating Bed, Sleeping Dog. The artworks are surreal but actually more symbolist, because of their deeper meanings. Immensely beautiful!

SeptemberLovely said...

Love, love, LOVE Reincarnation!!

SeptemberLovely said...

As Yoda would say: Subscriber, I am.

Heather said...

I love Edgar.
Great emotion in these illustrations!

Jodi Renshaw said...

Reincarnation is wonderful. I would love to come back as a seagull. Or maybe I was one before :)

Thanks,
Jodi
jrenshaw@hotmail.com

Jodi Renshaw said...

I am a subscriber.

Thanks,
jrenshaw@hotmail.com

Smooshy said...

rabbit tail!

JennyG said...

I like "My Little Blubird'. It is simple and delicate. Just beautiful.


jfg06001[at]yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like "faux fox". I don't know why that appeals to me. It just does.
Sheila
chiliburger@icehouse.net

Irit said...

Without a doubt - Daphne. Simply amazing.

Irit said...

I'm a subscriber.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I think the "black white and pink" all over would be adorable in my girls' room. Lovely work!

reg8w@aol.com

Lindsey said...

"Polar Opposites" is just amazing to me, so emotive! Thanks for the giveaway, I would love to frame this for my wall!

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

Chrissy said...

I really like flying friends- such nice work. Thank you!

ppekpb said...

My Little Bluebird is my favorite. It's so simple and soft and relaxing.

cathyhall said...

Hi, I loved the newly webbed pic of teh 2 spider. hilarious titles and great artistry. thanks for teh give away.

cathyhall said...

I am a subscriber, thanks again.

Princess Golden Hair said...

i love unfinished. i'm not finished either

jenny said...

pretty neet thay all are and well the floting bed and dog sleeping is kind of cool so is reincarnation one thanks

Jennifer said...

These are so unique!Amazing! My favorite is black, pink and white all over. Hard choice, none that I wouldn't love to have

TheGreatBelow said...

As a fellow artist, I really like your work. It's simple yet complex at the same time. Also, the composition is unique in some of your pieces which is why "Polar Opposites" is my favorite.

:)

Unknown said...

I love the print Reincarnation... absolutely amazing!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Unknown said...

Also a subscriber!

imanoptimisticbeauty[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Anonymous said...

I love the Flying Friends print!

sundaygirl at gmail dot com

Jessilyn82 said...

My Little Bluebird is my favorite-the muted tons of the arm and hand against the bright blue of the bird is really striking

ky2here said...

Twocan is my favorite of the prints that are not pictured. I appreciate the surrealism and it's interesting.

However Polar Opposites is clearly the gold standard of the collection and that is the one I would want most of all.

masmola said...

Reincarntaion is very cool!

CCAT45 said...

I like the party animal

windycindy said...

Hello, What unusual and eclectic paintings! We had a pet fox and I really like the "Faux Fox" painting!"
Another favorite of mine is the "Gerber Daisies!" Please enter me in your delightful drawing. I love to use paintings/prints in our home. Many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

gerber daisies

Sue Farrell said...

I think Faux Fox is really cute.
farrell@crosslake.net

Anonymous said...

I really like the flying friends print.

kalea_kane said...

I enjoyed browsing this beautiful artwork. I would have to say that my favorites are the Gerbera Daisies and my My Blue Bird. Equally stunning. This is one talented artist!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I am also a subscriber. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristan said...

i like polar opposites - perfect for my twin girls.
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Wren said...

The Charles print is incredible. The anthropologist in me is still giggling over it.

Anonymous said...

Polar Opposites is my very favorite print and I also like Rabbit Tail and You Are What You Eat. Really weird and fun art!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the Reincarnation print.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

pancak said...

Unusual and thought-provoking. I like Unfinished myself.

Anonymous said...

I love the Floating Bed, Sleeping Dog!

heatheranne99@hotmail.com

aumissal said...

Heart of the Forest.

aumissal@gmail.com

pitaharmon said...

Rabbit Tail is my favorite. It will go with my daughters (13 yr. old) bunny theme of Happy Bunny and Puddle Bunnies art that we are going to hang on her wall.
harmonden[at]wowway.com

Barbara Bee said...

My favorite print is Gerber Daisies. Thanks!

3oink63moo484 (at) gmail(.)com

MewzMe2 said...

THIS IS ME....black white and pink all over.Love it.

37 Questions said...

I just love Charles, but antantlers and faux fox are a close second.
What wonderful, whimsical art!

Unknown said...

I like Gerber Daises. Thanks for the chance to win your great giveaway!
proudyaya04 {at} yahoo {dot} com

Anonymous said...

I like the gerber daises best. Thanks!

metrofmcat(aol)dotcom

whysoitenly5 said...

Reincarnation is so beautiful.

fancyfeet48 said...

polar opposites

Erica G said...

I love the newly webbed print.

babychooch (at) gmail {dot} com

Unknown said...

My favorites are "My Little Blue Bird" and "Polar Oppisites".

bison61 said...

I like - My Little Blue Bird

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like the faux fox, of course, because my last name is Fox! Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to win!
rachelfox1981[at]yahoo[dot]com

cathryn said...

I love Polar Opposites. So stark. So desolate. And so beautiful.

Cathryn
archgrrrl@yahoo.com

Jinxy and Me said...

I love Flying Friends. Very cute!

cpullum said...

I like the black white and pin!

Stefanie Janine said...

I'd like to win Polar Opposites.

rdazer said...

i like "little ship at sea"

intime said...

Reincarnation intime@myself.com

Lynn H said...

Gerbera Daisies

dwazdip said...

I like Gerber Daisies best. Thanks!

arvard said...

I like My Little Bluebird the best.

littlebird said...

polar opposites is my favourite but then antantlers made me laugh : )

Last Mom said...

Those are strange and cool! The Blanche cracks me up but I love pink, so the gerber daisys wins for me.

Unknown said...

rabbit tale is my favorite. garrettsambo@aol.com

grndbaygal said...

i like the gerber daisies.

Kt said...

heart of the forest is my favorite!

good esty find thanks for the info!

kmsst19@gmail.com

klp1965 said...

i love the Reincarnation

Sahm Lee said...

I really love the polar opposites piece! Thanks for the wonderful contest!
airalynn(@)gmail . com

Anonymous said...

I love the rabbit tail and also newly webbed!
Fantastic prints!
1971eeyore at sbcglobal dot net

Deb Anderson said...

What an imagination! :) I really like My Little Bluebird.

Samantha P said...

i really love Charles, so cool!

Jolene said...

i like reincarnation

Anonymous said...

polar opposites

alterna7 at hotmail dot com

Helen said...

Polar opposites & Faux Fox are my favorites!

Sam said...

All are very interesting, but I can totally see "Gerber Daisies" on my wall...

/\Heather/\ said...

I love these! I'll be either winning handy handlebars or buying it for a Christmas gift. Hilarious!

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

I love the Reincarnation! It's beautiful and something I'd love to gift to a friend.

lilyk said...

I love Polar Opposites!

masonsgranny59 said...

Mousestache is so cute.

Rockin' Mama said...

The Floating Bed, Sleeping Dog print is really neat!

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com