Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Of Bags and Brilliance

There is an uncommon, almost cleansing silence, like the emptiness in the middle of a vast forest, that permeates certain images. The art of naoko’s stoop, a lovely gallery of prints made from original paintings on wood and brown paper bags (more on that in a moment), includes many such compositions. Whether it is the soothing rust-yellow tones and serene countenance of the watchful bird in Nest, a beautifully textured piece made with archival inks, or the sanguine innocence of a child set against a gentle backdrop of fading greens in Monday Parade, balance and tranquility seem to characterize each piece in the collection. Like the aforementioned forest, however, the silence is an illusion, as an attentive ear will soon pick up a number of sounds swelling just above the quiet.

In this case, it might be the optimistic undertones of a print such as Hope Bird, in which the feathered friend clutched within a child’s mittens may represent a kind of sacrifice for the sake of hope, and the flying white counterpart to that bird the embodiment of all our dreams for the future. It might be the symbolic multiplications of an offbeat original like Love. Or it might be the process points that surprises us: How many other artists have mastered the art of painting detailed, vibrant images on used brown paper bags? Whatever the case, there is more to the art of naoko’s stoop than meets the eye. We must always start, however, with what does meet the eye, and to make that introduction the artist is offering a generous giveaway. The winner of this drawing will receive a print of choice from the naoko's stoop collection. To qualify, visit naoko's stoop, 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 2/4/09.

We have a winner! Congrats Nape :)

249 comments:

1 – 200 of 249   Newer›   Newest»
Loopy said...

There IS more to Naoko's Shop than meets the eye! Omg. My fav? The Dream print! How could you not love the elephant and the birdie affair!? Adorable!

lazergir1 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Loopy said...

Ooo! And I subscribe! (over email)

lazergir1 (at) hotmail (dot) com

GumballGrenade said...

Her work is amazing! I love her use of washes, ink, and wood and paper textures. So difficult to pick just one faborite but here's mine: Birds on a Berry Tree. Of course I follow this blog!

Xenia said...

What a great shop! My favorite is Follow the Wind, there's something so sweet about not only the print itself but the message.

Thanks!
xpbloch(at)juno(dot)com

Xenia said...

I'm a subscriber!

xpbloch(at)juno(dot)com

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

My favorite is hello hello.

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

v said...

I love all the birds prints especially the 'Birds on a Berry Tree'. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

LOVE this shop! I think Birds on Berry Branches is my favorite, though I adore them all! Thanks so much!

Minxy Mimi said...

I like spring, but I also like freestyle. Very cool site!
mimibunny31@gmail.com

Deborah Stinson-editor said...

My favorite print is Spring, but they're all very nice. Thank you for this giveaway. sierramuse8 at aol.

Unknown said...

I like the Good Night print best, with the Dream coming a close second. They're all so nice.

Kim said...

my fave is: House on the Hill

janil said...

I love Good night!!!!

cal_rubies@yahoo(dot)es

janil said...

Suscriber!

Thanks!

cal_rubies@yahoo(dot)es

mickeyfan said...

Some Other Time looks like my cat in his fave chair.

Unknown said...

I'm a email subscriber thanks

Unknown said...

Wow what a beautiful shop I love the print titled "spring" Thanks for entering me.

Horse Creek Jewelry said...

What adorable artwork..so so sweet! I like Let's go Home on brown paper bag collection..just gorgeous colors. They are lovely. Would look nice in my daughters room!

Horse Creek Jewelry said...

I also subscribe..thanks!

Kristy said...

I like Bird on a Berry Tree

Leane said...

My FAV print is 'Stretchy Dog'. The dog's face is so cute, and I love the print body. I bet my son would love it, too...and we need art for his room....This is a wonderful giveaway!

Leane said...

I am a subscriber.....

Terri said...

"Birds on Berry Tree" is adorable.
I have a thing for birds and have been a birdwatcher for years so that print really appeals to me.
Thanks.
teraustin@mindspring.com

Irit said...

Such delicate drawings! I love Hope Bird the best.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Irit said...

I'm a subscriber.

iritca [at] gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like so many. Let's Go Home is a favorite.

leftymylou at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber.
Thanks!

leftymylou at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

it's so hard to choose. i love "monday parade", "let's go home" and "hello hello". but i think "follow the wind" might be my favourite!

thefamilyswan[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber!

thefamilyswan[at]yahoo[dot]com

Allison said...

"Knitting" is my favorite!

Allison said...

subscriber

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

spring

Jenn said...

Absolutely Adorable!! Hard to pick a favorite, but I love Follow the Wind.

Anonymous said...

I love the Spring print-sweet an simple!

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Unknown said...

Oh wow, these are all so beautiful it's hard to pick just one! But I do really love the "Good Night" print - I'm a bunny lover! =)

Unknown said...

I'm a subscriber

Jeanne said...

I love the "Spring" print.

Jeanne said...

I'm a subscriber.

Shelley K. said...

What beautiful and precious prints. My fave was Follow the Wind.

Thanks for a great giveaway.

tskrush(at)cox(dot)net

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I love "Spring" from Naoko's Stoop, and her artwork is very plaintive and poignant!

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I am a proud subscriber to Wishing Willow!

nape said...

I absolutely NEED Naoko's "Good Night." In this neighborhood, we are the bunny lovers. Our neighbors on either side are always coming up with ways to keep rabbits away from their gardens. (We call one neighbor, "Mr. McGregor.") In contrast, we feed the rabbits and do everything to encourage them to live here in our yard.

My family would LOVE Naoko's print. It's now in my Etsy favorites. Thanks for the shopping tip!

judybrittle said...

I really love the Snow Bambi print. That is so darling. Thank you!

nape said...

I subscribe RSS via google reader, which is how I discovered this giveaway.

Tylerpants said...

Beautiful prints! I love the Sister Birds the best!

mverno said...

house on the hill

Unknown said...

I like the Dream print.

PurrPrints said...

I love the two featured here best--and also "white ocean"

the beauty and delicacy of this work astounds me--a definite new etsy fave.

you can contact me through my blog, purrprints.blogspot.com

PurrPrints said...

oh--and i susbscribe

Tempest52 said...

NEST is lovely, but I think I like WINTER TALE (BUNNY) best overall.

dlcwin AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I like the monday parade.

Tempest52 said...

I am subscribed :)

dlcwin AT gmail DOT com

ecky said...

they are so adorable!
i love "let's go home"


elkesten at yahoo dot com

Aura said...

What beautiful prints! I'm having a hard time desciding between follow the wind and monday parade

Aura said...

I subscribe

Anonymous said...

My favorite- stretchy dog
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a proud subscriber
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Who's B? said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new favorite shop! I really love both the "love" and "nature" prints and imagine them hanging side by side on my wall, switching the order each day.

love nature
nature love
love nature
nature love

...

Who's B? said...

Just started "following" you on blogger. Lovely site.

chromiumman said...

i like lets go home

Debra said...

I love Monday Parade

Annie1 said...

I love "Spring", what beautiful prints!

Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I'm a subscriber!

Thanks



nancyrobster@gmail.com

~ Cee ~ said...

What a great giveaway! I love the White Ocean print, and would love to put it in my daughter's nursery. Thanks!!

ceevegnashville [at] gmail [dot] com

fat girl slim said...

I'm a subscriber

fat girl slim said...

My favourite one is Monday Parade, I really love the green and red together.

vboackle said...

i like good night.

Anonymous said...

My favourite is knitting on wood background. I love to knit and my dtrs middle name is Naoko!! Love it!

yyhayleyj (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I love the Birds on Berry Tree (Red)
mitanari[at]yahoo[dot]com

lmngirls said...

winterberry red with the bunnies, completely sweet & poignant, love 'em!
Christina

puffpastryshop said...

What a great shop! It's hard to choose but I think my favorite is "Hope Bird."

puffpastryshop(at)gmail(dot)com
puffpastry.etsy.com

Kaycee said...

I LOVE lets go home (on wood). I would love to have it for my baby's nursery!

kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

Kaycee said...

Im a subscriber!

kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

Desiree said...

I love the Knitting (Wood Back Ground) print! It is wonderful!

Des
RuffleBuns @ Hotmail DOT com
http://hamncheezr.etsy.com

Bunny B said...

I love Winter Berry (Red)! The perfect one for me!
bunnybx at gmail .c om

Bunny B said...

Susbcriber!
bunnybx at gmail .com

Jenna said...

I really like Follow the Wind. Thanks!

Alli said...

I really like Follow the Wind!
ariella at blight dot com

Sassy said...

Love "Love" and Spring! Beautiful!

Sassy said...

i'm also a subscriber over RSS!

Anonymous said...

"Love" has got to be my favorite print, although they are all adorable. Thanks so much for introducing me to this fabulous artist & thanks for the giveaway!

lbringa(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Subscriber!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

So many beautiful pieces -- how to choose?!? Dream, Follow the Wind, and White Ocean are my three-way tie.

Anonymous said...

subscriber

Lili said...

Hope bird, for it's simplicity and nice use of negative space (wood grain)

Lili said...

And I'm a subscriber!

Anonymous said...

"Let's Go Home" on wood is darling. Walking with 'papa bear' is one of our daughter's favourite activities.

Anonymous said...

Happy subscriber!

Anonymous said...

Some other time...is my pick. Reminds me of my cat

Aik said...

I like the White Ocean print.

aikychien@yahoo.com

Aik said...

I subscribed!

Ascending Butterfly said...

Torn between Dream, Spring and Freestyle, what a great site ;-)

Lilly said...

Follow the Wind is my favorite. It's lovely!

JAN said...

wow such stunning art, i am always on the look out for new art for my collection and naokosstoop is wonderful and unique
one of my faves is
Monday Parade

please enter me into the giveaway i would love to add one of these prints to my art collection
artbyjan(at)googlemail(dot)com

JAN said...

i am also have subscribed
artbyjan(at)googlemail(dot)com

Tracy Simmons said...

My favorite piece of this gorgeous artwork is definitely "Nest." So beautiful. Thanks!
Tracy
mtinternet at gamil dot com

Amanda said...

the Love print! !!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20200529

so lovely!

Amanda said...

OOOO & I subscribe!

prettyfnmess(at)gmail(dot)com

Mike Karr said...

Let's Go Home (on Wood). That is my favorite!

Heather said...

I really like the print Bird in a Cage (Green). It is so cute! And would look lovely hanging in my room!

Sena said...

Winterberry red bunnies!
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Sena said...

I subscribe.
sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

So hard to choose, but I love the Winter Tale (bunny) and the Winter berry (bunny).*

Anonymous said...

Subscriber!!

Amber said...

I love Snow Bambi!

Thank you for the giveaway and please enter me :)

hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

clenna said...

I love love love the print called Spring. Beautiful.

♥ meninheira ♥ said...

I love: Bird in a Cage (Green) :)
meninheira@gmail.com

thanks for the contest :)

♥ meninheira ♥ said...

I'm a subscriber with bloglines :)

meninheira (at) gmail (dot) com

Danielle said...

Follow the wind is so sweet, love it!

mcginnisfamily5(at)yahoo(dot)com

andyb said...

OMG thanks for introducing me to such a great site! the "good night" print with the bunnies is soooo cute!

McGann said...

I love the colors in the "Monday Parade"

McGann said...

and I subscribe!!

Kimberly said...

As is my way I can't choose! White Ocean and Snow Bambi are tied for my favorite. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Nicole said...

Such amazing prints! My favorite is White Ocean, most definitely!

Melanie said...

it's really a toss up between love and white follow the wind. ugh I can't decide

minilegs75 at yahoo.com

Melanie said...

email subscriber

minilegs75 at yahoo.com

Sarah said...

So many cute ones! I love song for spring...

sarah.e.madsen {at} gmail.com

Big Daddy said...

follow the wind is my fave

bf2phoenix at gmail dot com

Miss Spoken said...

I like Good Night
gkstratos@yahoo.com

jenny said...

there allso sweet i think if i won this i like to get the one called spring thanks

toughturtles said...

My Favorite is My Favorite

loni broesch said...

My favorite is stretchy dog

littlelatina said...

white Ocean is my fave

Aprilshowers said...

Oh wow I love them all! If I had to narrow it down to one though I would probably choose White Ocean. So talented.

mel said...

Tough decision but I think I would choose Song for Spring.

mdhohn(at)msn(dot)com

Tia Colleen said...

It would look like I didn't actually go to her page if I chose the picture on display in the blog entry huh? Well, that one is my favorite. But if I had to choose a second favorite, it would be the bird cage print in green. That one is really cute too.

xx Tia

Sunnyvale said...

I like Nest

Smooshy said...

mushroom bunny!

RockerJewlz said...

"Follow the wind"...makes my heart happy.

Crys said...

I like the Spring print.

The Saunders Family said...

hello, hello would be wonderful in my room!
mom2maria at hotmail

sushi_noem said...

I think Birds on a Berry Tree is my fave, but it's so hard to choose!

Anonymous said...

I love the Nest.

Nora
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Rebecca R. said...

I like Follow the Wind.
elireeves at stny dot rr dot com

Rebecca R. said...

I also subscribe.
elireeves at stny dot rr dot com

Ann said...

I absolutely love the "bird in a cage".
Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
ann dot guns at mac dot com

Peach said...

There is this haunting, dreamy, sweet quality about Naoko's work. I like them all, but Knitting, White Ocean and Let's go Home. (Couldn't pick one...)

peachygirl417 at yahoo dot com

glam.spoon said...

oh my gosh "follow the wind" is absolutely inspiring!

Sweetina said...

oooh how wonderful...a new fav!
I adore Hope and my seconf favorite is good night!!!
and I am subscibing to your wonderful blog right now...so glad it found you!

tina learningcurve7@gmail.com

Sweetina said...

i am a subscriber!

Anonymous said...

It was soooo hard to narrow it down to just one favorite. I'm so in love with this shop! But I think I'd have to choose "White Ocean." I just keep coming back to it.

aine_42 [at] yahoo[dot]com

danosor said...

I am a subscriber.

Erin Sipes said...

I like Bird in a Cage...the green one. Thanks.

Erin Sipes said...

I'm a subscriber.

rubynreba said...

My favorite is Good Night

kdkdkd said...

I love Follow the Wind, would frame that for the nursery.

Anonymous said...

love follow the wind. I would put it in my daughters room.
thanks

Mary A said...

Our favorite is the print Let's Go Home (on wood). Thanks for the giveaway.

scooley said...

I love the sping Photo. It perfect

Guitar Guy said...

My favorite is Nest

playswithclay said...

Absolutely beautiful shop! Wow!

Hard choice but I think my favorite is:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19768050
Thanks for the giveaway!
www.playswithclay.etsy.com

playswithclay said...

I subscribe! yay!

www.playswithclay.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

I like White Ocean.

Unknown said...

I love the "winter berry (red)" print but then again I am a sucker for cute bunnies. parvax at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I like "Nest". I like birds, and this seems very calming.
Sheila
chiliburger@icehouse.net

the student said...

"i wish..." makes my heart so happy :)

DJ said...

I like them all, but "lets go home" is really cute!

Anonymous said...

i like Nest...or any with the birds :)
neekam27@yahoo

Karen said...

Amazing work - count me in :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

janeh said...

such wonderful work......Knitting (Wood Back Ground) is my favorite......

ehhogan said...

I like Follow the Wind

Unknown said...

I choose "Nature". Thank you for including me in your contest.

Unknown said...

I subcribed but it's taking forever to show up in my email so I can verify it.

Helena Batt-Vesey said...

My favorite print is White Ocean. Thanks for the giveaway!

Helena Batt-Vesey said...

I subscribed.

Anonymous said...

ohh..so difficult to decide! My first choice is "Good Night" but they are all lovely!
cathyhorner@embarqmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subcribe..thanks
cathyhorner@embarqmail.com

Cari K. said...

I love "concert"

charlies_secret_angel2006 at yahoo dot com

Andrina said...

I love the Winter Tale (Deer),

Andrina said...

I subscribe.

NewYorkMemos said...

My favorite would have to be Dream (2009) =)

NewYorkTran@gmail.com
NewYorkMemos.blogspot.com

~Nyny

NewYorkMemos said...

I subscribed!

NewYorkTran@gmail.com
NewYorkMemos.blogspot.com

~Nyny

~elise said...

bird on a berry tree! luv it!

Brimful Curiosities said...

My daughter loves bunnies so we've started a collection of bunny art. Winter Berry (Red) is my favorite. Perfect for the current season, also.

Brimful Curiosities said...

subscriber.

Mia J. said...

I love them all. I think my favorite is the sister birds.

Anonymous said...

Winter Tale has a kind and loving spirit, with a wonderful composition, and looks so peaceful.

Thanks for the sweet giveaway!

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

MonkeyBaby said...

it's hard to pick a favorite, but i'd choose Let's Go Home (on wood)

MonkeyBaby said...

i subscribe!

Therese said...

I like the birds on the berry tree

DEY said...

I love Follow The Wind and Dream. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

It's really hard to narrow it down, but i think i like the Knitting or Winter Tale prints best. I think i would probably give them away as a gift because they're so cute, i'd want to share them! pposwaps(AT)gmail.com

Shari said...

They are all gorgeous! But you picked the best one (in my humble opinion!) to start the post with...Hope Bird is so sweet.

Anonymous said...

Snow Bambi is one of my favourites! Thanks for the giveaway. mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

ky2here said...

I'm going with 'spring' because of that vibrant green.

mireia said...

I want participate!
I post you in my craft blog.
My e-mail is my perfil blog

Unknown said...

I love Birds on Berry Tree Red and Bubbles.

Anonymous said...

NICE PRIZE

bison61 said...

I like the Monday Parade

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

grannyvon said...

I love the Sister Birds Print best but it would be a honor to own any piece done. These will be valuable, really valuable one day.ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I am already a e-mail subscriber to Wishing WIllow ybutler@oppcatv.com

Ali said...

"Moon" thats so romantic and sweet! I love those creative bunny prints but all of them are very nice.

lucii5 said...

my favorite is follow the wind

Leslie said...

Snow Bambi

Qwill said...

I liked the sister birds.

rosannepm said...

My favorite print is Sister Birds
rosans4@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

I like Monday Parade. The green is lovely.

jksweep@yahoo.com

Amy said...

Torn between Let's go home and white ocean

Anonymous said...

I think Birds on Berry Branches is my favorite. Thanks for the chance to win.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I love the bird in a cage print..thanks

groupmail.april at gmail dot com

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