Monday, February 9, 2009

From France, With Love

If we as would-be art critics have a tendency to reach for Picasso when trying to characterize an artist whose stylings lean a little cubist, it’s meant as the ultimate compliment, rather than a commentary on the artist’s lack of originality. Julia Freund is a great example. An immensely talented German-born abstract artist living in France, Freund at times renders a disjointed, collage-style composition that captures the mechanics of Picasso’s macabre social studies, but in spirit, she and the melancholy master are worlds apart. Unlike the disturbingly detached subjects of his Blue Period, her subjects, typified in So Many Strange People, are fleshy and visceral, knowable, suspended in space yet somehow full of life and thought. Even her inanimate subjects, such as the massive edifice in Babylon that rises above the jumbled city like a great kiosk plastered in Parisian newspaper, breathe out the lingua of possibilities, of conviction, even of truth, the latter of which Picasso famously denied was even possible in art.

At the same time, however, it would be rather gauche of us to paint Julia Freund as an artist with a social agenda, given that the overall feel of her gallery is more joyful than jarring, far more suffused with delightful ideas than stained with dogmatic assumptions. In fact, the variety of art is so remarkable that in turning from the highly developed style of Make Words Grow to the simple, child-friendly approach of something like A Slightly Melancholy Bear, one wonders if we’re even dealing with the same artist. But don’t take it from us, not when Freund’s wonderful gallery is right there for the browsing. And while you’re enjoying her work—which by the way, is always sent printed on actual canvas for you purists—you can also enjoy the giveaway the artist is offering to our Wishing Willow readers, one of the most generous giveaways in our history. Two winners each will receive a print of choice, with three additional winners each receiving The Princess and Her Frog pinback button set. To enter, visit lineanongrata.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite item or print in Julia's shop. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 2/17/09. We have our winners. Congrats Guettel178, Sarah, Leah, Janil and Meninheira!

253 comments:

1 – 200 of 253   Newer›   Newest»
Unknown said...

Babylon is my favorite but I also like Alonzo-Dog Dream.

So much talent! Everything is fabulous.

shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I'm following you on twitter
(username:auntiethesis)

Unknown said...

I'm already a google reader subscriber

shel704 at aol dot com

Carolyn G said...

I love the Feeling Blue print.

Very nice art.

carogonza1 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Carolyn G said...

I subscribe on google

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I like Make Words Grow Print!

Christina said...

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

Debbie Schramer said...

Hi!!
I was so excited to find your blog and to know that there's a group of people from Utah who are on Etsy!! I love Etsy! It's such a great site!
I also thought your group would like to know about the wonderful children's art classes that I teach!! My husband and I make beautiful little Fairy Furniture from nature. We're giving classes on how to make our enchanting little works of art. You can find out more about our classes on our new blog:

http://fairyfurnitureclasses.blog
spot.com

Let me know if you're interested or if you know of anyone else would might like our classes.

So glad to find your group!
Debbie Schramer

janil said...

I love Make words grow print, but it is a difficult choice... I fell in love with her artwork!!!!!! Thanks for the chance and for show us her beatiful work!!!!
cal_rubies(at)yahoo(dot)es

janil said...

I'm a very happy suscriber on e-mail!
cal_rubies(at)yahoo(dot)es

janil said...

I follow you on Facebook now too.
cal_rubies(at)yahoo(dot)es

Aik said...

My favourite item is the wintergirl print!

aikychien@yahoo.com

Aik said...

I'm a subscriber.

aikychien@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dreamy knitting print is wonderful!
ashlomb at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

subscriber- ashlomb at yahoo dot com

nape said...

I love lineanongrata's "The Kid Sure Changed The Family" print. Doesn't every child (and parent) feel this way at some point in their lives?

What a wonderful Etsy store. Thanks for the shopping tip--I've put the seller in my Etsy favorites.

nape said...

I follow you on twitter (nape9393).

nape said...

I'm an email subscriber, which is how I discovered this giveaway.

My email is in my profile, but just in case (jdelehant AT [cox] DOT net)

Xenia said...

I love how there's a story behind all the prints, they're so unique. My favorite is the Mama and baby bear print.

Thanks!
xpbloch(at)juno(dot)com

Unknown said...

Flying bird print is my favourite.
Amy (amyinkamloops *AT* gmail.com)

mrchips said...

feeling blue

Unknown said...

So many wonderful illustrations! But if I'm to choose one it's Scratchy Cat. Please enter me in this giveaway.

vboackle said...

i like whispering trees.

Kristy said...

I like the Last Flowers of the Season print.

♥ meninheira ♥ said...

I think my favorite is Plane Print and the moleskine notebook too :)

meninheira at gmail dot com

Sue said...

I love these. My favorite is Last Flowers of the Season. Such great artwork!!

Michelle said...

Tough to choose, but I think my favorite is the spring is the new chic(k) print. Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

I like the Dreamy Knitting print.

galeogirl at comcast dot net

mverno said...

mama and baby bear print

mverno said...

mama and baby bear

Tina12312 said...

I love the Try Something New for a Change and Alonzo Dog Dream. Thank you for the great giveaway!

MaggieM said...

Wow, she's a very deep artist. My favorite print is "Make Words Grow". I like to surround myself with positive images.

maggie@mannwieler.com

janeh said...

Autumn Picnic Print.......I LOVE IT!

Unknown said...

I can't decided between the Bewildered Bunny and the Slightly Melancholy bear - both are too cute!

Unknown said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber!

Unknown said...

And now I'm following you on Twitter (animallover216)! =)

Annie1 said...

My favourite is "Love print"

Thanks so much!


nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I'm a subscriber via email!

Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I'm also now a Facebook fan!


Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

judybrittle said...

I really like the autumn picnic print
That is really cute. Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I'm a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

OMG! All of them are so awesome. I love them all and could barely pick, but I guess I'll say Last flowers of the season print.

lesjoujou AT gmail DOT com

Terri said...

The "Whispering Trees" Print is my favorite. It would look good in my living room. I would love something new on my walls.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

mama bear

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

subscribe

Melissa Butler said...

Totally now a fave shop of mine...There are quite a few I would enjoy putting in my home. My fave tonight would be "make words grow 2 print" ~ looking at these is like taking a journey into a new world.

julie said...

let's go together notecards are precious..
3beez at bellsouth dot net

Amber said...

My favorite is the autumn picnic print.

Thanks for the giveaway!
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

jcamp2020 said...

I am a bunny person, so I would go with "The Bewildered Bunny" for sure.

jcamp2020@aol.com

CathyH said...

Awesome artist! I am enjoying "make words grow "

CathyH said...

i subscribe

cathirushing said...

"The Kid Sure Changed The Family" print

Sarah Jackson said...

I love Julia's work (and am the lucky owner of one of her pouches) but my favorite is "what a rainy day" because it looks just like my girl with her green umbrella on one of our rarely rainy days. I love the wistfulness of it.

janeh said...

I'm a subscriber.....

Nanci said...

I like the Make words grow print

Ulla V. said...

"A kiss or no kiss" is my absolute favourite print.
Thanks :0)

Tina12312 said...

Too cool! I love Alonzo-Dog Dream. Thank you so much!

Rita M said...

I really like the I Went to the Garden print.

Unknown said...

I really really really like the Make words grow print!!
wonderfullymade729 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

following on twitter @britzy2
wonderfullymade729 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

fan on facebook
wonderfullymade729 at gmail dot com

Erin said...

I like the for the child only the best print! These are so neat!

Erin said...

Subscriber via google reader.

Anonymous said...

I love the where are my books print.

hockiemack@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow you on blogger.

hockiemack@hotmail.com

Simply Stacie said...

I like wintergirl print.

minishoes said...

I love the people are strange print. It was a very hard chose! thanks jacquecurl@gmail.com

Simply Stacie said...

I subscribe.

minishoes said...

i subscribe jacquecurl@gmail.com

Sunnyvale said...

I like MAKE WORDS GROW

Sunnyvale said...

I like Make words grow

Miss Spoken said...

Flying Bird is my favorite. I also love Babylon.
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

Subscriber
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

I follow.
gkstratos@yahoo.com

toughturtles said...

avoid public transport print

jenna said...

let me have some fun print

Anonymous said...

I love the Make words grow print!

autielady[at]live.com

vividchord said...

I love the Scratchy Cat!

Shanda said...

The Make Words Grow 2 print is my favorite.
shan_da@hotmail.com

Unbuttoned said...

Alonzo - doggy dream is one of my favorites but I enjoy all of her work.

Unbuttoned said...

I'm a member of the facebook group.
emmyem(at)gmail(dot)com.

Miss Rae said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Miss Rae said...

I heart the whispering trees!
rae(dot)nelson(at)gmail(dot)com

Miss Rae said...

I Facebooked you!

rae(dot)nelson(at)gmail(dot)com

Christy G. said...

My favorite is the whispering trees print. Thanks for the giveaway!

Christy G. said...

I subscribed via reader.

Anonymous said...

Babylon

idahomom said...

Feeling Blue is very nice.

Smooshy said...

i like love print!

aglo said...

whispering trees is my favorite.

The Merry Death said...

I love this artwork. My favorite is The Scratchy Cat Print.
meredycat*lycos*com

The Merry Death said...

I follow you on twitter under meredycat.
meredycat*lycos*com

kdkdkd said...

I like the make words grow 2 print

Anonymous said...

I like the My Language Used to be My Home print.

jeanilynne at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe via email at:
jeanilynne at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/bloggyfinds/status/1199399762

jeanilynne at gmail dot com

janetfaye said...

I like spring is the new chic(k) print.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I subscribe.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I follow on Twitter.

http://twitter.com/janetfaye

mogrill said...

I love the Mama and Baby Bear print!
mogrill@comcast.net

37 Questions said...

doggy dream, too funny.

37 Questions said...

I'm a subscriber (RSS)

idyll hands said...

Oh gosh - all I need is another Lineanongrata print (I have 4!!) - actually, that is all I need. I love them so.

My current fave print in her shop (and the one I'll buy next if I don't win this) is "For the child only the best"
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16138787

I already have two knitting themed ones, so this would add nicely to my collection.

loni broesch said...

I love know who your friends are print

covercover said...

I like "from the woods"!

Thanks :)

eyeslikesugar said...

Her art is AMAZING!! I love, love, love The Bewildered Bunny! If I could win that I would be soooo happy. :D Thank you so much for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com

eyeslikesugar said...

I follow you on Twitter. Username: Roweena

Sunnyvale said...

Make Words Grow

Secret Snow Cave said...

oh! I love the style. Dreamy knitting print and Reaching for you, All the monkeys print....can not pick one.

Mia J. said...

I like the flying Bird print.

Aprilshowers said...

I love the spring is the new chic(k) print

Aprilshowers said...

subscriber

Polished10 said...

My favorite is the Babylon print. Also, I think the Choice Is Not An Option print is cute!

Heeseung said...

Wow, the art is truly beautiful. The style is both whimsical and delicate. In the end, I really liked the plane print (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9103619). The textures in it are gorgeous.

kdkdkd said...

I love the make words grow 2 print

Unknown said...

I am a subscriber!

Roseann K. said...

I like the Whispering Trees print. I have just the spot for it in our home. Thanks!

Rachael said...

I love "make words grow"...beautiful stuff.

mverno said...

these items are grand

Nichola said...

It was hard to choose a favorite, but I think I'd have to say Last Flower of the season. I liked all of the seasonal prints.

nicholakleyle[at]hotmail[dot]com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I am most like Baby Red Bird, because I love the color red and even though I have so many responsibilities and have to do so many "adult" things, I too can sometimes feel small!

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I am very happy to be a proud subscriber to Weeping Willow, which brings uniqueness and beauty into my life!

eyeslikesugar said...

I subscribe to your blog on my google reader :) Thank you so much for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com

eyeslikesugar said...

I became a fan on facebook :) Thank you so much for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com (Rebecca)

Jenna said...

I really like the Feeling Blue print. Thanks!

DEBIJOT said...

I love All The Monkeys Print

DEBIJOT said...

subscriber

Amber said...

My favorite is autumn picnic. Thanks for the giveaway!
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

greenly said...

Love "Make Words Grow".
jodi_nh at hotmail

toughturtles said...

Babylon print

The Merry Death said...

I love Julia's artwork. My favorite is The Scratchy Cat. :)
meredycat*lycos*com

The Merry Death said...

I follow you on Twitter under Meredycat.
meredycat*lycos*com

Michelle said...

I fell in love with the Reaching For You Print.It's so unique & beautiful...She is an amazing artist & her works are fantastic. Thanks for the chance! =)

Michelle said...

I subscribed via email...Thanks!

shellbell574(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

dog is my favorite
Jaleigh78[at]aol[dot]com

Unknown said...

Such charming prints! I really like the whimsy of "try something new for a change"

littlelatina said...

I really like "Make words grow 2 print"

danosor said...

Please enter me in this contest.I am a subscriber.

Sweet Pirate Betty said...

I love the Fishing is piece of cakeprint! closely followed b the Make words grow 2 print. Beautiful work!

Sweet Pirate Betty said...

I subscribe! :)

Sweet Pirate Betty said...

I follow you on facebook! :)

Anonymous said...

I love the Make words grow print!

autielady[at]live.com

Niki said...

The Feeling Blue

Ludmilochka said...

My favourite item is the wintergirl print!

Sarah Z said...

I love Make Words Grow print! She's a great artist!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My total favorite is the Make words grow print. As a writer, I would love to have that on my wall as inspiration!

bison61 said...

I like the wintergirl print

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jessica Y. said...

I love the "Make words grow print!" Really stunning! :)

jess^^^4002 [at] gmail [dot] com
(without the ^^^)

Jessica Y. said...

I'm a subscriber by e-mail! :)

jess^^^4002 [at] gmail [dot] com
(without the ^^^)

Crys said...

I like Reading in Strange Languages and Babylon.

kingac said...

The "Slightly Meloncholy Bear" is my fave. It sums up how I've been feeling as of late perfectly...

Unknown said...

I like the Mama and baby bear print.

ky2here said...

I really like this work. My favorite is 'be afraid of all flying things' print.

cougar44 said...

My favorite is "Make words grow" print.

Anonymous said...

Babylon is my favorite too. Thanks.

Kimberly B. said...

I like the "Make words grow 2" print. Thanks!

Dierdra said...

dreamy elephant

Leslie said...

the scratchy cat print

Anonymous said...

My favorite print is "Make Words Grow". Thanks for the chance to win.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

mverno said...

the winter girl print is really nice

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the Watch Your Bag Closely print. Thanks.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

mrchips said...

i like them all!!!

Michstjame said...

Wow. What a tough, tough choice. I am torn between the Babylon, Make Words Grow, and Reading in Strange Languages prints, but I think Reading in Strange Languages is my favorite. Wonderful stories behind the illustrations, too.

michstjame [at] gmail [dot] com

Michstjame said...

I'm a Wishing Willow subscriber. :)

Qwill said...

I like the scratchy cat print

Smooshy said...

i like dog!

Anonymous said...

Linz said :

So many really nice pictures on the webpage! The last flowers of the season really caught my eye.

sardisoaks(at)live(dot)com

NesieBird said...

The Feeling Blue print is my favorite of all. :)

Anonymous said...

I must choose only one? So hard!

I love the knitting-themed prints, but I think my fave is

I Went Into the Garden

Veronica
nimrodvern at comcast dot net

prplrush said...

Thanks for this great giveaway! My favorite piece was the Make words grow print!

MOL said...

My favorite is actually the come and fly with me women's t-shirt.

chromiumman said...

love the Feeling Blue print

jamaise said...

It is hard to pick but I think I like the autumn picnic print.

jamaise said...

I Subscribe

jamaise said...

I follow you @ Twitter :)

tony said...

love to win this print

jamaise said...

Tewwt!http://twitter.com/jamaise/status/1217123797

Anonymous said...

I love the print make words grow 2. I think is is beautiful, the color pallet is bright and the image makes me feel hopeful.

mousee29 said...

I think I really like the dreaming pic best.

Unknown said...

Choice is Not an Option is our fave. Thank you!

arvard said...

I like the "So Many Strange People" print.

Stephanie J. said...

Wow, tough choice but I think my favorite is "My language used to be my home print"

step36576(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

The Feeling Blue Print, is great.


clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

lezanac said...

so many strange people is my fave

wgbc1446 said...

Make Words Grow print is my favorite! wgbc1446@yahoo.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I really like Lemon Aid!

mommyhoodisthankless[AT}gmail.com

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I am a subscriber!

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

Anonymous said...

love print is my favorite.

Anonymous said...

also subscribed to your newsletter

Melanie said...

My favorite is the All the monkeys print...just darling!!

rosannepm said...

I really like the Make words grow print
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I subscribe
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I follow you on Facebook
rosans4@comcast.net

tsslug said...

The Dog print is my pick

tsslug7@yahoo.com

toughturtles said...

Babylon print

Anonymous said...

Love the make words grow print... jomamajoanna (at) gmail (dot) com

Sarah said...

I like 'Flying Bird'. The wings are gorgeous.

a.sarah.e.wagner at gmail.com

Sarah said...

I subscribe.

a.sarah.e.wagner at gmail.com

Sarah said...

I am a fan on facebook.

a.sarah.e.wagner at gmail.com

Valancia said...

The Scratchy cat print hands down for me and the Time print I really took to also.skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

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