Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Poe in Heart, Rich in Meaning

There’s nothing wrong with Monet calendars. Nor, for that matter, is it a crime to love Ansel Adams posters, inspirational framed prints of windbreaker-clad climbers rappelling down treacherous rock faces, or tapestries featuring the “Footprints” poem. It is, however, but a day until the new year dawns. Isn’t it time we broke at least a little new ground in our choices of wall art? Meet edge-dwelling genius Vivan Mayser of Dear Dodo, a shop offering art prints and collectible crafts that can scarcely be described without words like provocative, thoughtful, unexpected, or unique. It isn’t only the vintage materials or the unassuming irony of the art, as in Elisa, Autumn Owl, Stork Stockings, and other quietly mirthful pieces; it’s the world in general that is created. Here we find lovely dreamscapes in pencil, Victorian-era child portraits such as Bunny Day, and the curiously entrancing silhouette of the Poe Sisters, raven-like both in raiment and in bearing. And if there’s another place on the internet where one can find a Moth Doll Brooch crafted from a tiny, century-old porcelain head excavated in Germany, it’s not on this side of the time-space continuum.

It’s easy to talk about adding a little novelty to our home environment, however. The difficult thing is mustering the courage to go ahead and do it. As a way of encouraging our Wishing Willow readers to take the plunge and actually challenge their tried-and-tired art motifs, Dear Dodo is offering a free print of the Poe Sisters to the winner of today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit Dear Dodo, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. 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 1/08/09.

We have a winner! JewelryInfusions who said,
"I really love the 'Poe Sisters'. The stark contrast of the two images appeals to me, plus it has that psychiatrist 'What do you see in this image....' quality."

194 comments:

Jingle said...

Wow! What a fantastic shop! I really like "Lost." The Poe Sisters print is amazing! My husband would love it and it would work really well in our home!

Jingle said...

I'm a subscriber!

Anonymous said...

I really love the Poe Sisters Too!! I am a fan of Poe..and Twins:)
I like the "From the Dream Book Nr.6"Print a lot!! I also think that "Clara" is adorable:)

cyclona66@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I am a subscriber:)
cyclona66@aol.com

Helen said...

This is a great prize. Thanks for offering it.

Anonymous said...

The Poe Sisters print is by far my fave, especially since I share a birthday (Jan 19th) with Poe. If I had to pick another, it would be Paper Doll #4

Anonymous said...

subscriber

Unknown said...

My favorite print is Dodo Day. Thanks for the intro to this fantastic shop!

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber, too! I really enjoy your blog- Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Princess Day
DearDodo


Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like the lost print.

Shelley K. said...

Paper Doll No 3 is my fave. Thanks for a great giveaway.

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Shelley K. said...

Subscriber :)

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Carolyn Sharkas said...

She has some different prints, but I like them. My favs were Stork STockings Striped, DoDo day and Lost.

thanks for sharing

ceashark at aol dot com

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I am subscribed

thanks again\

ceashark at aol dot com

mverno said...

i like the my little white mouse signed print

Jeanne said...

Great stuff. I think that I like Paper Doll Nr.2 the best.

Anonymous said...

The Curious Bunny is drawn so delicately; it actually looks fluffy. It's sweet.

Anonymous said...

Happy subscriber! Thanks.

elenalecue said...

I love Autumn with Owl. Edgy, poetic prints - thanks for the opportunity to win!

elenalecue said...

i'm a subscriber via therethere at mail dot ru

Annie1 said...

My favourite print is Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3.....I love it!

Thanks so much!

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I am a subscriber!

Thanks

nancyrobster@gmail.com

Michw37 said...

The Curious Bunny is my favorite

Anonymous said...

I like Dodo Day, along with others. Please count me in Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Curious BUNNY RABBIT - signed print is my favorite.
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Amander said...

I think "Lost" is quite whimsical!

Amander said...

And I'm a subscriber!

Unknown said...

I love the Bunny Day print.

danosor said...

Dodo Day is my fave.I am a subscriber.

judybrittle said...

I really like the Poe Sisters print. I also like HUMPTY DUMPTY Junior and Little Duckling. Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I'm a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

The paper doll series is so pretty. I like the Paper Doll Nr 3. As a fellow artist, I really admire the subtlety of these prints. Very intriguing.

scarey_karma@yahoo.com

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

me,me,me,,i would love to win this for my son who just moved into their apartment!!!he would choose the sisters..i like the dodo day!
oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

and i am a subscriber

oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com

added you to my blog today as well
http://oldwaybecomesnewagain.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-years-eve-contest-giveaways.html

Irit said...

I love Autumn with Owl, but all the other prints are equally amazing.

iritca (at) gmail.com

Irit said...

I'm a subscriber.

iritca (at) gmail.com

janeh said...

that was really difficult....I couldn't decide between Princess Day and HUMPTY DUMPTY Junior and Little Duckling.......so I choose both (along with the Paper Doll series!)!!!

Jenn S. said...

The "Forest Gathering" is one of my favorites.

Kristy said...

I like Paper doll #4.

Kristy said...

Subscriber!

Terri said...

Drawings from the Dream Book Nr3

Happy New Years!!!

Rosie said...

I liked Dodo Day, but I'm a true Poe fan, so the sisters are my fave! DH would love that print!

Rosie said...

I too am a subscriber!!

rrdianic@gmail.com

Heather said...

I like the Forest Gathering Print.

LissaL said...

I would love to win the Poe Sisters Print, it is definitely my favorite. From the Dream Book Nr. 6 is another great print. Great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

LissaL said...

I too am a subscriber.
Kissmyirishlass(at)yahoo(dot)com

paryjeja said...

I like the STORK STOCKINGS striped print.

Unknown said...

Wow..what cute prints. Love her etsy shop...love the print: Princess Day

Unknown said...

I am a subscriber

Simply Stacie said...

The Poe Sisters is my favourite print.

Simply Stacie said...

I subscribe.

Qwill said...

I like the forest gathering

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

princess day

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

subscriber

Unknown said...

The Poe Sisters is a very interesting print. My favorite from the shop is MISTER FLEA goes to the market. I particularly enjoyed the description of this flea, formerly a performer in the flea circus.

Unknown said...

I am a subscriber.

SeahorseLady said...

Very nice shop. "Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3" is my favorite.
Thanks for the great giveaway.

SeahorseLady said...

I'm also a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

I love Stork Stockings Striped...

and lots more! :)

leftymylou at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like Curious Bunny Rabbit and the Moth Dolls.

galeogirl(at)comcast(dot)net

Brn2lisn said...

My favorite is the Paper Doll Nr.1

brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com

vboackle said...

i like dodo day.

David Johnson said...

I like Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3 I think it is great how the birds are holding the ropes for the swing, thats really creative, thanks titanicluck at gmail dot com

idahomom said...

Curious BUNNY RABBIT - signed print

kmbennet said...

I like the curious bunny.
thanx for the contest.

Inked Papers said...

I really love the 'Poe Sisters'. The stark contrast of the two images appeals to me, plus it has that psychiatrist 'What do you see in this image....' quality.

Inked Papers said...

I'm a subscriber!

silverbele said...

I would like the Poe Sisters for my granddaughter's room

Rita said...

i really like your shop. My favorite item is the STORK STOCKINGS striped- its very cute
rita
margaritakorb@gmail.com

Rita said...

I am also a subscriber
margaritakorb@gmail.com

kdkdkd said...

I like ELISA best, but Dodo Day and Bunny Day are close seconds

mmentor said...

what a cool site, first time visitor

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3!

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

You've got another fantastic subscriber on your hands!

Amanda said...

love dear dodo's shop!

Forest Gathering!!!!!!

Jenna said...

My favorite is Dodo Day. Thanks for the giveaway!

kalea_kane said...

Great work! I love Lost. Something very sweet there. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I am also a very happy subscriber. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Crawings from the dream book #3
Butchbarbee66[at]aol[dot]com

julialynn said...

The paper doll 4, is striking, would be the word I would use, not your everyday art and I really like that, I have added this shop to my fav. list and will be ordering as soon as the tax man pays up:)

Julia

julialynn said...

I am a subscriber:)

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Princess Day.

shelley said...

I love the poe sisters print it would go so well in my house it matches my decor so well thanks.

Anonymous said...

In addition to the print being given away, I also like the paper doll #2 print.
-Terra
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Christina G. said...

My absolute favorite is The Poe Sisters, but I also like Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3. Thanks for the giveaway!

Christina G. said...

I subscribed via email.

Sue S. said...

There is something about the Poe Sisters that gets me....I love it.

toughturtles said...

Dodo Day

Linda P. said...

Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3 is my favorite. What a great find! Added the store to my Etsy favorites.

Gina said...

I really like Mister Flea goes to Market. I think it would inspire my 8 year old to write some very creative stories.

reg8w@aol.com

Smooshy said...

i like forest gathering!

louiseb130 said...

I like "Lost"

bison61 said...

I like Dodo Day

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Alice H said...

The 'dodo day' print is beautiful - thanks for the chance! alicedemske at hotmail.com

Alice H said...

Also I just became a subscriber! alicedemske at hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

my little white mouse is so cute!thanks jacquecurl@gmail.com

annies home said...

I like the little white mouse

annies home said...

subscribe through google reader

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I like Autumn With Owl from Dear Dodo, and think that the anitquated look of the artwork is endearing!

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'm a very proud subscriber of Wishing Willow but have been wondering why it hasn't been appearing in my box lately? Is it just me or is it taking a holiday rest?

Karen said...

Love the Poe Sisters print.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

KR said...

I love Princess Day.

Kerry said...

I love Paper Doll #4
Really cute prints!

Thanks

Anonymous said...

I like Princess Day print. thanks
vickers at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18706348

Love this print

Unknown said...

I subscribe

misaacmom [a]t gmail [dot] com

37 Questions said...

Wonderful stuff. I love it all, but I like "Dodo Day" especially.

37 Questions said...

I'm a RSS subscriber

Unknown said...

I like the print Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3... I love the imagination behind it!

imanoptimisticbeauty(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Unknown said...

I subscribe!

imanoptimisticbeauty(at)yahoo(dot)ca

windycindy said...

Hello! I adore the "From the Green
Book Nr. 6!" Please enter me in your delightful giveaway drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am subscribed to your site.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

ChristinaM1981 said...

I am loving the paper doll print here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18694057

Beautiful things there!

Christina
bonafideliberal(at)gmail(dot)com

ChristinaM1981 said...

Already a subscriber!

Christina
bonafideliberal(at)gmail(dot)com

Erin Sipes said...

My favorite is Drawings from the Dreambook #3. Great works!

jamaise said...

I like " Dodo Day". I like the meaning as well. I could use a dodo day right about now!

jamaise said...

I subscribe as well :)

Andi said...

I like the Stork Stockings print.

cdrury said...

cdrury@gmail.com
Curious Bunny

cdrury said...

cdrury@gmail.com
i am a subscriber

Melissa said...

I like Paper Doll Nr.1

SLM said...

The Poe Sisters is one that works for me. Would go well with my decor.

Anne U. said...

Actually, the Poe sisters is my favorite. But I also like Curious Bunny.

nape said...

In the words of Allison, the duster fan on INTERVENTION,

"The Poe-Poe?"

I also like the "cute BUNNY RABBIT signed print" at Dear Dodo. My heart's #1 favorite is the Poe Sisters.

Great giveaway. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Do I ever love your work! I'd choose My little white mouse" if forced to pick only one.

czeltic girl said...

Great shop. I love stuff like this.

I can't decide which I like better: The Poe Sisters or Dodo Day (though if Dodo Day were real and actually riding a dodo like that, it'd be the best holiday ever).

Thanks for the tip on the fun Etsy shop and thanks for the chance to win.

Kari said...

BUNNY RABBIT original graphite drawing with mat is adorable. I love the poe sisters print too, it's amazing. Great shop! I saved it to my etsy faves.

Kari said...

Im also a subscriber!!

Andria said...

I like Paper Doll #3 and My Little White Mouse. Beautiful work. Thanks.

AllieOop said...

I love the Mister Flea Goes to Market--thanks for the giveaway,

turboterp said...

Princess Day is precious!

I also love the Poe Sisters because I'm a Baltimore girl and love anything Poe related!

Thank you.

jenny said...

wow-wow i must say just 2 cute as to every thing over there and well i just cant pick one as my fave i have to say i like them all i realy do love things like this it so brings back that old time feel and well i'm one for any thing like this and well if i was to win this i would put it in my little ones room on her wall or even in my liveing room to go right a long with my rag dolls and no face dolls please enter me info this thanks

mgster said...

I really think these are amazing! I would have to say LOST is my very favorite of all!

Anonymous said...

The Po Sisters is my favorite print there!

Anonymous said...

I subscribe.

~ Sara ~ said...

The Poe Sisters. And I don't know why. It just speaks to me... and I don't even have a sister!

~ Sara ~ said...

I'm a subscriber!! :)

Mrs Anne said...

what an adorable print!

I also am in love with "From the Dream Book Nr.6"

Birds are all the rage this season!

:)

Tammy said...

My fav is A Little White mouse.Her art is really orgnal

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I like the Poe Sisters and Princess Day. These are beautiful!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am a subscriber!

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

Unknown said...

Great shop! I really like the Princess Day print! Thanks for the chance!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

The Behlmers said...

Besides the Poe Sisters, Grooming Bunny was my favorite! Thanks!
dcbehlmer(at)hotmail(dot)com

liliesrnice said...

I really like the stork stockings print. Very unusual and cute!

rosannepm said...

I love the Paper Doll Nr.4 - Original Paper Cut Collage print
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I'm a subscriber
rosans4@comcast.ney

Bandbabe said...

Love the Poe sisters print is so very cool I would love to have it.

Anonymous said...

I like the Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3

adrian309@juno.com

littlelatina said...

Poe sisters and forest gathering are my faves

Tylerpants said...

My fave is Forest Gathering.

Tylerpants said...

I am a subscriber.

djgroz said...

Clara - A Moth Doll Signed Artist brooch - One of a kind

Anonymous said...

the curious bunny

Anonymous said...

a prize with beauty and class

Anonymous said...

Autumn with Owl

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

leah said...

I like the curious bunny rabbit print!

Anonymous said...

I like dodo day.

ladycat713@yahoo.com

Aprilshowers said...

I like the Curious Bunny print.

Aprilshowers said...

I am also a subscriber.

yellowlabs said...

The Autumn with Owl is very cool!

Leah said...

I soooooo love the "Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3." Gorgeously blissful!!!

Thanks so much for this fabulous give~away! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

Leah said...

I am also a subscriber.

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

Melanie said...

Paper Doll Nr.1 is my favorite!

Roseann K. said...

I love the Princess Day print. Thanks!

Diana D said...

I liked curious bunny rabbit

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

ABCD Diaries said...

i like autumn with owl:) thanks!

Unknown said...

Poe Sisters print is my fave. Thanks

Amy in kamloops@ gmail.com

jenna said...

Oooh, Dear Dodo is one of my Etsy favorites! I like "From the Dream Book Nr. 6" and "Bunny Day" especially.

Unknown said...

Forest Gathering is my favorite. garrettsambo@aol.com

klp1965 said...

i love Bunny Day

Luck Happens said...

My favorite print is Forest Gathering, but all this art is beautiful and haunting. Thanks for the giveaway! Kellifrobinson2 AT gmail DOT com

Luck Happens said...

I subscribe to Wishing Willow via Bloglines.

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

My favorite is Princess Day !

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe thur email & reader!
zestywonderland@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

i adore the MISTER FLEA goes to the market!

heatheranne99@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like autum with owl.

gesilver@aol.com

a_berson said...

ohh 'elisa' is beautiful. and so winter-like. but winter in a version of shakespearian england dreamed up by jeanette winterson and lewis carol.

ldrnc2000 said...

The Drawings from the Dream Book Nr.3 is cool! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

fancyfeet48 said...

I like the owl
I would love to win this thanks for the chance

PurrPrints said...

I like the curious bunny rabbit--so beautiful and delicate

i'm purrprints at gmail

PurrPrints said...

oh and I'm also a subscriber purrprints at gmail

Unknown said...

STORK STOCKINGS striped has harmony and comedy.

Charlene Kuser said...

I love the "Autumn with Owl"
What a neat print.I love the
owl sitting in her hair.This
is so amazing the way it is presented.Please enter me and
thanks for the giveaway

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

I am a subscriber



CharlieGurl57@aol.com

mrstrooper said...

Paper Doll Nr.2 for my daughter!

lilyk said...

I love the Forest Gathering print!

bkh61959 said...

Cool site, I love the HUMPTY DUMPTY Junior and Little Duckling so adorable, thanks for the giveaway

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Princess Day...thanks for the contest!
bahjeep@aol.com

Donna said...

I like Princess Day.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I am a subscriber.
donna444444@yahoo.com

masonsgranny59 said...

I heart The Curious Bunny:)

Rockin' Mama said...

Princess Day is gorgeous

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com