This is my first submission, so I'd appreciate any advice. I went for a more black and white stencil design instead of the more typical, colored cartoon look. I thought it better reflected the old timey lady - like graffiti's stencils that ironically have old-timey characters. Perhaps this design might be better colored, but I like it.
(Thanks to Married to the Sea for the inspiration.)

nice style of illustration, but i don't much care for the concept, i'm pretty cynical. try a new concept with the same style and i might bite.

I love it. Maybe lower/off center placement?

Nice design... is that lady stone statue or live?... and I do not like big black patch right hand side bear eyes and mouth...

if you afraid for right colors selection then here are the links...

http://kuler.adobe.com/
http://www.colourlovers.com/

What are these links you posted? Are there only certain colors that I can use?

yes those of have colors palates and good combination and you will get lots of idea to play with colors.

Is that lady stone statue or live?

Alive, I suppose - that's what I intended, at least. But I guess a naive bear courting a human stature might be funny, too.

hmmm... then you will have to make some difference between alive bear and stone lady statue and it will sure look funny...

I think it's cute and clever.

Looks best on pink/natural, in my opinion.

The bear needs to be more obviously courting...

...flowers? Taking off his hat? Ring?

It's a bear?! Oh shit... I thought it was an upright badger!

Now I have to change my vote...

On bended knee should the bear be to court the fair lady!

Fouchnickens---It is really nice idea I like it...

awwww this is sweet... but i'm not thrilled with the colors you've chosen... what about like pink or lt blue or something?

Um, you just stylized the picture from the old engraving. It is exactly the picture on the marriedtothesea.com comic, found at: http://www.marriedtothesea.com/051907/go-back-to-the-forest.gif

I don't think you should submit this for that reason.

^^^ It's a gray area because the original images are public domain, so any subsequent uses are also bound to public domain. So it's more a matter of "honor amongst illustrators" at this point.

^^That's true. I think I won't be as bothered if the artist ends up doing more with the illustration, like using color or creating some kind of background scene. Right now it just is too similar.

^^^ Agreed.

^^^ + 1 to all of the above. im sorry dude. firstly. come up with your own concept.

secondly. dont flog other peoples work. even non copyrighted stuff. its unethical.

BE CREATIVE FFS! =)